Aug
12
Dimenhydrinate - Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride - Disopyramide - Dofetilide
August 12, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Generic Name
Dimenhydrinate (dye-men-HYE-drih-nate) A
Brand Names
Calm-X Dramamine
Dimetabs Triptone
The information in this profile also applies to the following drugs: Generic Ingredient: Meclizine 91
Antivert Bonine
An tOmA 2S Meni-D
Antivert 50 Ru-Vert-M Antrizine
Type of Drug
Antihistamine and antiemetic (an agent that prevents or relieves nausea and vomiting).
Prescribed For
Nausea, vomiting, vertigo, and dizziness associated with motion
sickness.
General Information
Dimenhydrinate, which depresses middle ear function, is a mixture of diphenhydramine—an antihistamine believed to be the active ingredient—and another ingredient. Meclizine is an antihistamine. It takes a little longer to start working than dimenhydrinate, but its effects last much longer. Meclizine does a better job of preventing motion sickness than treating its symptoms. It takes 30 minutes to 1 hour to work and lasts for 12-24 hours.
Cautions and Warnings
Do not take dimenhydrinate if you are allergic or sensitive to any of its ingredients. Newborn babies should not be given this drug.
People with a prostate condition, stomach ulcer, intestinal obstruction, bladder problems, difficulty urinating, glaucoma, asthma, or abnormal heart rhythms should use dimenhydrinate only while under a doctor’s care.
Because it controls nausea and vomiting, dimenhydrinate may hide the symptoms of appendicitis or overdoses of other drugs.
Possible Side Effects
✓ Most common: drowsiness.
♦ Less common: confusion; nervousness; excitation; restlessness; headache; sleeplessness, especially in children; tingling; heavy or weak hands; fainting; dizziness; tiredness; rapid heartbeat; low blood pressure; heart palpitations; blurred or double vision; difficult or painful urination; increased sensitivity to the sun; appetite loss; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; upset stomach; constipation; nightmares; rash; drug reaction (symptoms include rash, itching, hives, and breathing difficulties); ringing or buzzing in the ears-, dry mouth, nose, or throat; stuffy nose-, wheezing: and increased chest phlegm OT chest tightness.
Drug Interactions
• This drug should not be taken with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressant.
• Taking dimenhydrinate with an alcoholic beverage, other antihistamine, sedative, or other central-nervous-system (CNS)
depressant may cause excessive dizziness, drowsiness, or other signs of depression.
• Side effects of anticholinergics may be increased when taken with dimenhydrinate.
• Combining dimenhydrinate and certain antibiotics that cause dizziness or other ear-related side effects may mask early signs of these side effects, especially in infants and children.
Food Interactions
Take dimenhydrinate with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.
Usual Dose
Dimenhydrinate
Adult and Child (age 13 and over): 50-100 mg-1 or 2 tablets or 4-8 tsp.-30 minutes prior to travel; then every 4-6 hours; do not take more than 400 mg a day.
Child (age 6-12): 25-50 mg-1/2 or 1 tablet or 2-4 tsp.—every 6-43 hours; do not take more than 150 mg a day.
Child (age 2-5): up to 25 mg-1/2 or 1 tablet or 2 tsp.-every 6-8 hours; do not take more than 75 mg a day.
Child (under age 2): Consult your doctor.
Meclizine
Adult and Child (age 13 and over): 25-50 mg 1 hour before travel; repeat every 24 hours for duration of journey. Up to 100 mg a day in divided doses may be needed to control dizziness from other causes.
Child: not recommended.
Overdosage
Symptoms of overdose include drowsiness, clumsiness, unsteadiness, feeling faint, facial flushing, and dry mouth, nose, or throat. Convulsions, coma, and breathing difficulties may also develop. Overdose victims should be taken to a hospital emergency room for treatment. ALWAYS bring the prescription bottle or container.
Special Information
N1 Maximum effectiveness against motion sickness, take dimenhydrinate 1-2 hours before traveling; it may still be effective if taken 30 minutes before traveling.
This drug may cause drowsiness: Be extremely cautious when driving, operating hazardous machinery, or doing anything that requires concentration.
Dimenhydrinate may cause dry mouth, nose, or throat. Sugarless candy, gum, or ice chips can usually relieve these symptoms. Constant dry mouth may increase the likelihood of developing tooth decay or gum disease. Pay special attention to oral hygiene while you are taking dimenhydrinate, and contact your doctor if dry mouth lasts more than 2 weeks.
If you forget to take a dose of dimenhydrinate, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you forgot and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Special Populations
Pregnancy/Breast-feeding: Animal studies suggest that meclizine may cause birth defects. Do not take any antihistamine without your doctor’s knowledge if you are or might be pregnant —especially during the last 3 months of pregnancy, because newborns may have severe reactions to antihistamines.
Small amounts of dimenhydrinate may pass into breast milk. Dimenhydrinate may also slow milk production. Nursing mothers who must take dimenhydrinate should use infant formula.
Seniors: Seniors are more sensitive to antihistamine side effects and should take the lowest effective dose.
Generic Name
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride
(dye-fen-HYE-druh-mene hye-droe-KLOR-ide) 91
Brand Names
40 Winks
AllerM,ly,
AllerMax Maximum Strength Altaryl Children’s Allergy Banophen
Banophen Allergy
Benadryl Allergy
Benadryl Children’s Allergy* Benadryl Children’s Dye Free Benadryl Dye Free Allergy
Liquid Gels
Children’s Pediacare Nighttime Cough’
Compoz Gel Caps
Compoz Nighttime Sleep Aid Diphen AF
Diphenhist
Dormin
Dytuss
Genahist
Midol PM
Miles Nervine
Nytol Quick Caps
Nytol Quick Gels Maximum Strength
Scot-Tussin Allergy*
Siladryl
Simply Sleep
Sleep-Eze 3
Sleepinol Maximum Strength Sleepwell 2-Nice
Snoozefast
Sominex Original Formula Sylphen Cough
TheraFlu Thin Strips Multi Symptom
Triaminic Thin Strips Cough and Runny Nose
Tusstat
Unisom
‘Some products in this brand-name group are alcohol- or sugar-free.
Type of Drug Antihistamine.
Prescribed For
Stuffy and runny nose, itchy eyes, and scratchy throat caused by seasonal allergy and for other symptoms of allergy such as itching, rash, and hives; also prescribed for motion sickness, insomnia, and Parkinson’s disease.
General Information
Antihistamines generally work by blocking the release of histamine (a chemical released by body tissue during an allergic reaction), drying the nose, throat, and eye secretions. Diphenhydramine is the most common active ingredient found in nonprescription sleep aids.
Cautions and Warnings
This drug should not be used if you are allergic or sensitive to any of its ingredients. It should be avoided or used wilt extreme care if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, stomach ulcer, intestinal abslmcfion, other stomach problems, difficulty urinating, or enlarged prostate. It should not be used by people who have sleep apnea or deep-breathing problems such as asthma. Use with care if you have a history of thyroid disease, heart disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or high blood pressure.
Drug Interactions
• This drug should not be taken with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressant.
• The effects of sedatives, sleeping medications, and other central-nervous-system (CNS) depressants will be intensified when combined with diphenhydramine hydrochloride; it is extremely important that doses of these drugs are properly adjusted.
• This drug increases the intoxicating and sedating effects of alcohol.
Food Interactions
Take this drug with food if it upsets your stomach.
Usual Dose
Allergy
Adult: 25-50 mg 3-4 times a day.
Child (over 20 tbs.): 12.5-25 mg 3-4 times a day.
Nighttime Sedation
Adult and Child (age 12 and over): 25-50 mg at bedtime.
couqh. SIN%
Adult and Child (age 12 and over): 25 mg every 4 hours; do not take more than 150 mg in 24 hours.
Child (age 6-12): 12.5 mg every 4 hours; do not take more than 75 mg in 24 hours.
mouth, and weakness.
g, rash, sensitivity to bright light, per-
s, lowering of blood pressure, head-
t, sleeplessness, dizziness, disturbed sion, restlessness, nervousness, irri- eling “high”), tingling and weakness of lurred or double vision, ringing in the , appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, con- urinary difficulties, thickening of lung s of the chest, wheezing, nasal stuffi-
h, nose, or throat.
Possible Side Effects
✓ Common: drowsiness
✓ Less common: itching
• fever, chills
• rapid heartbeat
confusion
euphoria (feelin
hands or feet, blurre
• upset stomach
• diarrhea, secretions, tightnes
• and dry
Child (age 2-6): 6.25 mg every 4 hours; do not take more than
25 mg in 24 hours.
Child (under age 2): not recommended.
Thin Strips
TheraFlu
Adult and Child (age 12 and over): 1 strip every 4 hours; do not take more than 6 strips in 24 hours.
Triaminic
Child (age 6-12): 1 strip every 4 hours; do not take more than 6 strips in 24 hours.
Overdosage
Symptoms of overdose include depression or stimulation—especially in children; dry mouth; fixed or dilated pupils; flushing; and upset stomach. Overdose victims should be made to vomit with ipecac syrup—available at any pharmacy. Take the overdose victim to a hospital emergency room immediately if you cannot induce vomiting. ALWAYS bring the prescription bottle or container.
Special Information
This drug may cause drowsiness. Be extremely cautious when driving or operating hazardous equipment.
If you are taking this medication for motion sickness, take the first dose at least 30 minutes prior to exposure.
If you forget to take a dose of diphenhydramine hydrochloride, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you forgot and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Special Populations
Pregnancy/Breast-feeding: Animal studies have shown that some antihistamines may cause birth defects. Do not take any antihistamine without your doctor’s knowledge if you are or might be pregnant—especially during the last 3 miDMIns of pregnancy—because newborns may have severe reactions to antihistamines.
SMM) amounts of antihistamine pass into breast milk. Nursing mothers who must take this drug should use infant formula.
Seniors: Seniors are more sensitive to antihistamine side effects and may require lower dosages.
Generic Name
Disopyramide (die-soe-PIE-rah-mide) 92
Brand Names Norpace
Type of Drug Antiarrhythmic.
Prescribed For Abnormal heart rhythms.
General Information
Disopyramide phosphate slows the rate at which nerve impulses are carried through heart muscle, reducing the response of heart muscle to those impulses. It acts on the heart similarly to the more widely used antiarrhythmic medications procainamide hydrochloride and quinidine sulfate. Disopyramide is often prescribed for people who do not respond to other antiarrhythmic drugs.
Cautions and Warnings
Do not take disopyramide if you are allergic or sensitive to any of its ingredients or if you have heart block, unless you have a cardiac pacemaker.
This drug can worsen heart failure or trigger severely low blood pressure. It should be used in combination with another antiarrhythmic agent or beta blocker with caution.
In rare instances, disopyramide has caused a reduction in blood-sugar levels. Therefore, the drug should be used with caution by diabetics, older adults—who are more susceptible to this effect—and people with poor kidney or liver function. Ask your doctor if you should have your blood-sugar levels checked while taking this drug.
Because of its anticholinergic effects, men with a severe prostate condition and people who have glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, or severe difficulty uritx;aA:jng should use disopyramide with caution.
People with liver or kidney disease must take a reduced dose of disopyramide.
Potassium levels affect the action of disopyramide. People with blood potassium levels that are out of the normal range must correct this imbalance before starting disopyramide.
Norpace CR
Possible Side Effects
♦ Most common: dry mouth, urinary difficulty, and constipation.
♦ Common: blurred vision; dry eyes, nose, and throat; frequent urination; nausea; stomach pain or bloating; gas; dizziness; fatigue; headache; and nervousness.
♦ Less common: itching, rashes, muscle weakness, generalized aches and pains, not feeling well, low blood-potassium levels, increases in blood-cholesterol and triglyceride levels, heart failure, and low blood pressure.
♦ Rare: Rare side effects can occur in almost any part of the body. Contact your doctor if you experience any side effect not listed above.
Drug Interactions
• Phenytoin and rifarnpin may increase the rate at which the body removes disopyramide from the blood. Your disopyramide dose may need alteration if this combination is used. Other drugs known to increase drug breakdown by the liver, such as barbiturates and primidone, may also have this effect.
• Other antiarrhythmic drugs, such as procainamide and quinidine, may increase the effect of disopyramide, making dosage reduction necessary. At the same time, disopyramide may reduce the effectiveness of quinidine.
• When disopyramide is combined with a beta-blocking drug, increased disopyramide effects, additive effects, or depression of heart function may result.
• Azole antifungals, clarithromycin, diclofenac, doxycycline, erythromycin, imatinib, isoniazid, nefazodone, nicardipine, propofol, protease inhibitors, telithromycin, and verapamil may increase the amount of disopyramide in your blood, causing abnormal heart rhythms or other cardiac effects.
• Disopyramide may reduce the effectiveness of oral anticoagulant (blood-thinning) drugs. Your doctor should check your anticoagulant dosage to be sure you are getting the right amount.
• Hydantoins may cause a decrease in the effectiveness of disopyramide.• Disopyramide may increase the amount of digoxin in your blood, though the amount of the increase is not likely to af-
fect your heart.
• St. John’s wort may decrease disopyramide levels.
Food Interactions
Disopyramide should be taken on an empty stomach at least 1
hour before or 2 hours after meals. Usual Dose
Adult: 400-800 mg a day (divided into 2 or 4 doses for the immediate-release form). In severe cases, 400 mg every 6 hours may be required. This level of dosage should be monitored in the hospital. The sustained-release preparation is taken every 12 hours. People with reduced kidney function should receive a lower dosage, depending on the degree of kidney function present. People with liver failure should take 400 mg a day.
Child (age 13-18): 2.5-7 mg a day per lb. of body weight. Child (age 5-12): 4.5-7 mg a day per lb. of body weight. Child (age 1-4): 4.5-9 mg a day per lb. of body weight.
Child (under age 1): 4.5-13.5 mg a day per lb. of body weight.
Overdosage
Overdose symptoms are breathing difficulties, abnormal heart rhythms, and unconsciousness. In severe cases, overdosage can lead to death. Overdose victims should be made to vomit with ipecac syrup—available at any pharmacy—to remove any remaining drug from the stomach. Call your doctor or poison control center before doing this. If you must go to a hospital emergency room, ALWAYS bring the prescription bottle or container. Prompt and vigorous treatment can mean the difference between life and death in severe overdosage.
Special Information
Disopyramide may cause symptoms of low blood sugar: anxiety, chills, cold sweats, drowsiness, excessive hunger, nausea, nervousness, rapid pulse, shakiness, uaus~M% weakness, tiredness, or cool, pale skim If kNSN)appens to you, eat some chocolate, candy, U rilher high-sugar food, and call your doctor at once.
Disopyramide can cause dry mouth, urinary difficulty, constipation, or blurred vision. Call your doctor if these symptoms become severe or intolerable, but do not stop taking the medication without your doctor’s approval.
If disopyramide is required for a child and capsules are not appropriate, your pharmacist can make a liquid product. Do not do this at home: This medication requires special preparation. The liquid should be refrigerated and protected from light and should be thrown away after 30 days.
Do not crush, chew, or open sustained-release capsules.
If you forget to take a dose of disopyramide, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is within 4 hours of your next dose, skip the dose you forgot and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Special Populations
PregnancylBreast-feeding: Do not take this drug if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant while using it, because it will pass into the fetus and may affect its development. When disopyramide is considered crucial by your doctor, its potential benefits must carefully be weighed against its risks.
Disopyramide passes into breast milk. Nursing mothers who must take this drug should use infant formula.
Seniors: Seniors, especially those with liver or kidney disease, are more sensitive to the effects of this drug.
Generic Name
Dofetilide (DOH-fet-a-lyed)
Brand Name Tikosyn
Type of Drug Antiarrhythmic.
Prescribed For
Specific abnormal heart rhythms.
General Information
Dofetilide is used to establish and maintain normal sinus rhythm in the heart. Dofetilide is available only to hospitals and doctors who receive specific training and education on how to use this drug because of the risks associated with using it.
Cautions and Warnings
Do not take dofetilide if you are allergic or sensitive to any of its ingredients.
Dofetilide is reserved for people whose abnormal heart rhythms have not responded to other drugs. People taking dofetilide must be in a hospital or other facility for at least 3 days where appropriate blood tests can be performed to monitor kidney and heart function.
This drug is cleared through the kidneys. Poor kidney function increases the amount of dofetilide in the body. Liver disease has no effect on dofetilide blood levels.
Dofetilide, like other antiarrhythmic drugs, can cause severe and sometimes fatal abnormal rhythms of its own.
Do not take dofetilide without first talking to your doctor if you have a low blood level of potassium or magnesium.
Women may be at a greater risk for some arrhythmias caused by dofetilide.
Possible Side Effects
Serious heart arrhythmias can develop in up to 31b% of patients taking up to 1000 mcg a day of dofetilide. People taking daily doses above 1000 mcg a day are at up to 5 times greater risk for arrhythmias.
• Most common: headache, chest pain, and respiratory infection.
♦ Common: difficulty breathing, nausea, and dizziness.
♦ Less common: flu; sleeplessness; accidental injury; back pain; diarrhea; abdominal pain; angina; anxiety: joint pain; weakness; atrial and ventricular arrhythmia; high blood pressure; pain; heart palpitations; swollen legs, ankles, or arms; sweating; and urinary infections.
♦ Rare: some arrhythmias, heart attack, hives, slow heartbeat, stroke, facial or other paralysis, tingling in the hands or feet, cough, liver damage, migraine, fainting, and sudden death. Contact your doctor if you experience any side effect not listed above.
‘D?Ug Interactions
Dofetilide should not be given with drugs that are known to interact with it. Dofetilide must be stopped at least 2 days before any potentially interacting drug is taken.
• Do not mix dofetilide with any product containing verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, or trimethoprim, used for urinary infections. These combinations can substantially raise the amount of dofetilide in the blood.
• Some drugs may increase the amount of dofetilide in the blood by inhibiting enzymes that break it down in the liver. They include delavirdine, indinavir, btonavir, saquinavir, amiodarone, cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, cannabis, diltiazem, erythromycin, fluconazole, fluvoxamine, itraconazole, ketoconazole, mifepristone, nefazodone, norfloxacin, mibefradil, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIS), troleandomycin, and zatirlukast.
• Some drugs may reduce the amount of dofetilide in the blood by stimulating enzymes that break it down in the liver, including efavirenz, nevirapine, carbamazepine, corticosteroids, modafanil, phenobarbital and other barbiturates, phenytoin, pioglitazone, and rifampin. Amiloride, metformin, megestrol, and triamterene can interfere with the elimination of dofetilide via the kidney, raising blood levels of the drug.
• Other drugs that can increase the effects of dofetilide are Other antiarrhythmic drugs, bepridil, phenothiazines, and tricyclic antidepressants.
• Mixing dofetilide with digoxin may lead to a ventricular arrhythmia called torsade de pointes. Thiazides, furosemide, and other potassium-depleting diuretics can also increase the risk of this arrhythmia.
Food Interactions
Grapefruit juice may increase dofetilide blood levels.
Usual Dose
Adult: 125-500 mcg twice a day.
Child (under 18 years): not recommended.
Overdosage
Dofetilide overdose is likely to cause significant heart rhythm problems. Overdose victims must be treated symptomatically by their cardiologist.
Special Information
Read all information supplied to you before you begin taking this medication and read it again if anything in your treatment program changes.
Tell your doctor about any changes in your prescription or nonprescription drug use or in your use of vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplement products.
Be sure that any other doctor or hospital that treats you and might prescribe another drug knows you are taking dofetilide.
Call your doctor at once if you develop any signs of altered electrolyte balance including excessive or prolonged diarrhea, sweating, vomiting, appetite changes, or excessive thirst.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you forgot and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Special Populations
Pregnancy/Breast-feeding: Dofetilide causes birth defects in animal studies. Pregnant women should take this drug only after discussing with their doctors its potential benefits and risks.
It is unknown whether dofetilide passes into breast milk. Nursing mothers who take it should consider using infant formula.
Seniors: Older adults may take this drug without special restriction.
Aug
1
Cholestyramine
August 1, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Generic Name
Cholestyramine (kol-es-TYE-rah-meen) 0
Brand Names
LoCHOLEST Questran
LoCHOLEST Light Questran Light Prevalite
The information in this profile also applies to the following drugs:
Generic Ingredient: Colesevelam Hydrochloride WelChol
Generic Ingredient: Colestipol Hydrochloride Colestid
Type of Drug
Anti -hyperli pidemic (blood-fat reducer).
Prescribed For
High blood-cholesterol levels; generalized itching associated with bile duct obstruction—cholestyramine only; colitis; digitalis or thyroid overdose; and pesticide poisoning.
General Information
Cholestyramine resin lowers blood-cholesterol levels by absorbing bile acids in the bowel. Since the body uses cholesterol to make the bile acids—needed to digest fat—fat digestion can only continue by making more bile acid from blood cholesterol. This results in lower blood-cholesterol levels 4-7 days after starting cholestyramine.
Cholestyramine w3Cks entirely Within the bowel and is never absorbed into the bloodstream. Though usually given 3-4 times a day, there appears to be no advantage to taking it more often than twice a day. The cholesterol-lowering effect of cholestyramine may be increased when it is taken with an HMG-CoA inhibitor or nicotinic acid. In some kinds of hyperlipidemia, colestipol may be more effective in lowering total blood cholesterol than clofibrate.
Cautions and Warnings
Do not use cholestyramine if you are allergic or sensitive to any of its ingredients or if your bile duct is blocked. The powder form should not be taken dry; doing so may result in the inhalation of powder into your lungs or a clogged esophagus.
If you are being treated for hypothyroidism, diabetes, kidney or blood vessel disorder, obstructive liver disease, or alcholism, consult your doctor before taking cholestyramine.
Cholestyramine may cause or worsen constipation and hemorrhoids. Most constipation is mild, but some people may need to stop the medication or take less of it.
Possible Side Effects
✓ Most common: constipation, which may be severe and in rare cases result in bowel impaction. Hemorrhoids may be worsened.
♦ Less common: abdominal pain and bloating, and bleeding disorders or black-and-blue marks due to interference with the absorption of vitamin K, a necessary factor in the blood clotting process. One person developed night-blindness because the medication interfered with vitamin A absorption into the blood. Other side effects include belching, gas, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn, and appetite loss. Your stool may have an unusual appearance because of a high fat level.
✓ Rare: Rare side effects can affect your mouth, stomach and intestines, muscles and joints, mental status, urinary tract, and breathing. Contact your doctor if you experience any side effect not listed above.
Drug Interactions
O Cholestyramine interferes with the absorption of virtually all oral drugs, including acetaminophen, amiodarone, aspirin, cephalexin, chenodiol, clindamycin, clofibrate, contraceptive drugs, corticosteroids, diclofenac, iopanoic acid, iron, digitalis drugs, furosemide, gemfibrozil, glipizide, hydrocortisone, imipramine (an antidepressant), methyldopa, mycophenolate, nicotinic acid, penicillin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, piroxicam, propranolol, tetracycline, thiazide diuretics, thyroid drugs, tolbutamide, trimethoprim, ursodiol, warfarin and other anticoagulant (blood-thinning) drugs, and vitamins A, D, E, and K. Take other medications at least 1 hour before or 4-6 hours after taking cholestyramine.
Food Interactions
Take this medication before meals. The powder may be mixed with soda, water, juice, cereal, or pulpy fruits, such as applesauce or crushed pineapple. Cholestyramine bars should be thoroughly chewed and taken with plenty of fluids. Colestipol pills are swallowed whole.
Usual Dose
Cholestyramine: 4 g (1 packet) or 1 level scoopful taken 1-2 times a day or up to 6 times a day.
Colesevelam: 6 tablets once a day or in 2 divided doses. Colestipol: 2-16 g (1-6 packets) once a day or in divided doses.
Overdosage
The most severe effect of overdose is obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract. Take the overdose victim to a hospital emergency room. ALWAYS bring the prescription bottle or container.
Special Information
Do not swallow the granules or powder in their dry form. Prepare each packet of powder by mixing it with soup, cereal, or pulpy fruit or by adding the powder to a 6-oz. glass of liquid, such as a carbonated beverage. If some of the drug sticks to the sides of the glass, rinse it with liquid and drink the remainder.
Constipation, gas, nausea, and heartburn may occur and then disappear with continued use of this medication. If constipation is a problem, your doctor may recommend drinking more fluids and taking a fiber supplement. Call your doctor if these side effects persist or if you develop unusual problems such as bleeding from the gums or rectum.
If you miss a dose of cholestyramine, skip it and continue with your regular scheduke. Do not take a double dose.
Special Populations
Pregnancy/Breast-feeding: While cholestyramine does not affect the fetus directly, it may prevent the absorption of vitamins A, D, and E and other nutrients essential to the fetus’ proper development–even when you take, a prenatal vitamin supplement.
When this drug is considered crucial by your doctor, its potential benefits must be carefully weighed against its risks.
Cholestyramine is not absorbed into the body. However, reduced absorption of vitamins A, D, and E and other nutrients may make your milk less nutritious. Nursing mothers who must take cholestyramine should use infant formula.
Seniors: Seniors are more likely to experience side effects, especially those relating to the bowel.
Aug
1
Chlorpheniramine Maleate
August 1, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Generic Name
Chlorpheniramine Maleate
(KLOR-ten-ERE-uh-mene MAL-ee-ate) M
Brand Names
Aller-Chlor Efidac 24
Chlor-Trimeton Pediox S
Chlor-Trimeton Allergy 8 Hour Prohist+8 Chlor-Trimeton Allergy 12 Hour QDALL AR
The information in this profile also applies to the following drugs: Generic Ingredient: Cyproheptadine Hydrochloride 0
Generic Ingredient: Dexchlorpheniramine Maleate 19
Type of Drug Antihistamine,
Prescribed For
Stuffy and runny nose, itchy eyes, and scratchy throat caused by seasonal allergy, and other symptoms of allergy such as rash, itching, and hives.
General Information
Antihistamines generally work by blocking the release of histamine (a chemical released by body tissue during an allergic reaction) from body cells at the H, histamine receptor site, drying up secretions of the nose, throat, and eyes.
Cautions and Warnings
Do not use this drug if you are allergic or sensitive to any of its ingredients.
Use chlorpheniramine maleate with care if you have a history of thyroid disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes. This drug should be avoided or used with extreme care if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, stomach ulcer or other stomach problems, enlarged prostate, or problems passing urine. It should not be used by people who have deep-breathing problems such as asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis.
Possible Side Effects
V Less common: rash or itching, sensitivity to bright light, increased sweating, chills, lowered blood pressure, headache, rapid heartbeat, sleeplessness, dizziness, disturbed coordination, confusion, restlessness, nervousness, irritability, euphoria (feeling “high”), tingling in the hands or feet, blurred or double vision, ringing in the ears, upset stomach, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, urinary difficulties, chest tightness, wheezing, stuffy nose, and dryness of the mouth, nose, or throat. Young children may also develop nervousness, irritability, tension, and anxiety.
Drug Interactions
• chlorpheniramine maleate should not be taken with a mono-amine oxidase inhibitQ(aMkdepiessank, because the combination may cause severe side effects.
• The effects of sedatives, benzodiazepines such as diazepam, and sleeping medications will be increased when any of these drugs is combined with chlorpheniramine maleate. It is extremely important for your doctor to know if you are taking any other medication with chlorpheniramine maleate so that the dosage of that medication can be properly adjusted.
• Anti chol inergenics may cause an increase in side effects of chlorpheniramine maleate.
• Be extremely cautious when drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this drug, which enhances the intoxicating and sedating effects of alcohol.
Food Interactions
You may take this drug with food if it upsets your stomach.
Usual Dose
chlorpheniramine
Adult and Child (age 13 and over): 4 mg every 4-6 hours; do not take more than 24 mg a day.
Child (age 6-12): 2 mg every 4-6 hours; do not take more than 12 mg a day.
Child (age 2-5): 1 mg every 4-6 hours; do not take more than 4 mg a day.
chlorpheniramine, Sustained-Release
Adult and Child (age 13 and over): 8-12 mg at bedtime, or every 8-12 hours during the day; do not take more than 24 mg a day. Child (age 6-12): 8 mg during the day or at bedtime.
Child (under age 6): not recommended.
Cyproheptadine
Adult and Child (age 15 and over): 4-20 mg a day; do not exceed 32 mg a day.
Child (age 7-14): 4 mg 2-3 times a day; do not exceed 16 mg a day.
Child (age 2-6): 2 mg 2-3 times a day; do not exceed 12 mg a day.
Dexchlorpheniramine
Adult and Child (age 12 and over): 2 mg every 4-6 hours. Child (age 6-11): 1 mg every 4-6 hours.
Child (age 2-5): 0.5 mg every 4-6 hours.
Dexchlorpheniramine, Sustained-Release
Adult and Child (age 12 and over): 4-6 mg every 8-10 hours and at bedtime.
Child (age 6-11): 4 mg once a day and at bedtime. Child (under age 6): not recommended.
Tripelennamine
Adult and Child (age 12 and over): 25-50 mg every 4-6 hours; do not take more than 600 mg a day. Adults may take up to 3100-mg, sustained-release tablets a day, although this much is not usually needed.
Child (under age 12): 2 mg per lb. of body weight a day in divided doses; no more than 300 mg a day should be given.
Overdosage
Symptoms of overdose include depression or stimulation, especially in children; dry mouth: fixed or dilated pupils; flushing of the skin; upset stomach; unsteadiness; and convulsions. Overdose victims should be made to vomit as soon as possible with ipecac syrup—available at any pharmacy—to remove excess drug from the stomach. Take the victim to a hospital emergency room immediately if the victim is unconscious.or if you cannot induce vomiting. ALWAYS bring the prescription bottle or container.
Special Information
This drug may cause tiredness or loss of concentration: Be extremely cautious when driving or doing anything that requires close attention.
If you forget a dose of this drug, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you forgot and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Special Populations
PregnancylBreast-feeding., Animal studies have shown that some antihistamines may cause birth defects. Do not take any antihistamine without your doctor’s knowledge if you are or might be pregnant—especially during the last 3 months of pregnancy, because newborns may have severe reactions to antihistamines.
Small amounts of some antihistamines pass into breast milk. NV ing mothers who must take chlorpheniramine maleate should use infant formula.
Seniors: Seniors are more sensitive to antihistamine side effects. Dosage reduction may be needed.