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- $Unique_ID{BRK03286}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, brompheniramine, and guaifenesin
- combination}
- $Subject{Normatane Expectorant Vortech Adrenergic decongestant antihistamine
- expectorant phenylephrine phenylpropanolamine brompheniramine guaifenesin
- alcohol coughing congestion allergy common cold constricting narrowing blood
- vessels nasal passages swelling congestion histamine allergic reaction
- bronchial}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, brompheniramine, and guaifenesin
- combination
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAME (Manufacturer)
-
- Normatane Expectorant (Vortech)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Adrenergic (decongestant), antihistamine, and expectorant
-
- INGREDIENTS
-
- phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, brompheniramine, guaifenesin, and
- alcohol
-
- DOSAGE FORM
-
- Oral expectorant (5 mg phenylephrine, 5 mg phenylpropanolamine, 2 mg
- brompheniramine, and 100 mg guaifenesin per 5-ml spoonful, with 3.5% alcohol)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, brompheniramine, and guaifenesin
- combination should be stored at room temperature (never frozen) in a tightly
- closed container.
-
- USES
-
- This drug combination is used to relieve the coughing and congestion of
- allergy and the common cold.
- Phenylephrine and phenylpropanolamine belong to a group of drugs known as
- adrenergic agents (decongestants). They act by constricting (narrowing) blood
- vessels in the nasal passages, thereby reducing swelling and congestion.
- Brompheniramine belongs to a group of drugs known as antihistamines,
- which are used to relieve or prevent symptoms of allergy. Antihistamines
- block the actions of histamine, which is a chemical released by the body
- during an allergic reaction.
- Guaifenesin is an expectorant, a drug that loosens bronchial secretions.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- In order to avoid stomach upset, you can take phenylephrine,
- phenylpropanolamine, brompheniramine, and guaifenesin combination with food or
- with a full glass of milk or water (unless your doctor directs you to do
- otherwise).
- The expectorant should be measured carefully with a specially designed
- 5-ml measuring spoon. An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate enough.
- If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
- possible, unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, do not
- take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do
- not double the next dose.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Anxiety; blurred vision; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness;
- dry mouth, nose, and throat; heartburn; insomnia; irritability; loss of
- appetite; nasal congestion; nausea; restlessness; reduced sweating; vomiting;
- or weakness. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the
- medication.
- This medication can increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid
- prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps, wear protective clothing, and use
- an effective sunscreen.
- If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
- fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
- drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- Chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy to
- reduce mouth dryness.
- If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
- slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
- In order to avoid difficulty in falling asleep, take the last dose of
- this medication several hours before bedtime.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- chest pain, confusion, convulsions, difficult or painful urination, difficulty
- in breathing, fainting, hallucinations, headaches, loss of coordination, mood
- changes, nosebleeds, palpitations, rash, severe abdominal pain, sore throat,
- or unusual bleeding or bruising.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- This medication interacts with several other drugs:
- 1. Concurrent use of it with central nervous system depressants (such as
- alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle relaxants,
- narcotics, pain medications, and phenothiazine tranquilizers) or with
- tricyclic antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness.
- 2. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (isocarboxazid, pargyline,
- phenelzine, or tranylcypromine and tricyclic antidepressants can increase the
- side effects of this medication. At least 14 days should separate the use of
- this drug and the use of an MAO inhibitor.
- 3. The side effects of the antihistamine part of this medication may be
- increased by quinidine, procainamide, haloperidol, and phenothiazine
- tranquilizers, and the side effects of the decongestant component can be
- increased by digoxin or over-the-counter (nonprescription) diet, allergy,
- asthma, cough, cold, or sinus preparations.
- 4. The blood-pressure-lowering effects of guanethidine may be decreased
- by phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, brompheniramine, and guaifenesin
- combination.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking, especially those listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to brompheniramine or other antihistamines (such
- as azatadine, chlorpheniramine, carbinoxamine, clemastine, cyproheptadine,
- dexchlorpheniramine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, diphenylpyraline,
- doxylamine, hydroxyzine, promethazine, pyrilamine, trimeprazine,
- tripelennamine, and triprolidine); to phenylpropanolamine, phenylephrine, or
- other adrenergic agents (such as albuterol, amphetamines, ephedrine,
- epinephrine, isoproterenol, metaproterenol, norepinephrine, pseudoephedrine,
- and terbutaline); or to guaifenesin.
- * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had diabetes
- mellitus, epilepsy, glaucoma, heart or blood vessel disease, hiatal hernia,
- high blood pressure, myasthenia gravis, obstructed bladder or intestinal
- tract, peptic ulcers, enlarged prostate gland, or thyroid disease.
- * Because phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, brompheniramine, and
- guaifenesin combination can reduce sweating and heat release from the body,
- you should avoid excessive work and exercise in hot weather, and do not take
- hot baths, showers, and saunas.
- * While you are taking this drug, drink at least eight glasses of water a
- day to help loosen bronchial secretions.
- * This medication can cause drowsiness. Exercise caution when performing
- tasks that require alertness.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. The effects of this
- medication during pregnancy have not been thoroughly studied in humans. Also,
- tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of this
- medication pass into breast milk and may cause unusual excitement or
- irritability in nursing infants.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-