Antihistamines, Decongestants and Analgesics : Before Using

Antihistamines, Decongestants and Analgesics - Systemic

Antihistamines, Decongestants and Analgesics *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects

Before Using

If you are taking this drug without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For antihistamine, decongestant and analgesic combinations, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to any of the ingredients contained in this drug. If this drug contains aspirin or another salicylate , before taking it, check with your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to any of the following medication:

Diclofenac - Voltaren
Diflunisal - Dolobid
Etodolac - Lodine
Fenoprofen - Nalfon
Floctafenine
Flurbiprofen, by mouth - Ansaid
Ibuprofen - Motrin
Indomethacin - Indocin
Ketoprofen - Orudis
Meclofenamate - Meclomen
Mefenamic acid - Ponstel
Methyl salicylate - oil of wintergreen
Nabumetone - Relafen
Naproxen - Naprosyn
Oxaprozin - Daypro
Oxyphenbutazone - Tandearil
Phenylbutazone - Butazolidin
Piroxicam - Feldene
Sulindac - Clinoril
Suprofen - Suprol
Tenoxicam - Mobiflex
Tiaprofenic acid - Surgam
Tolmetin - Tolectin
Zomepirac - Zomax

Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

The occasional use of antihistamine, decongestant, and analgesic combinations is not likely to cause problems in the fetus or in the newborn baby. However, when these medication are using at higher doses andfor a long time, the risk that problems might occur may increase. For the individual ingredients of these combinations, the following apply:

Acetaminophen Acetaminophen has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems. However, studies on birth defects have not been done.
Alcohol Some of these combination medication contain large amounts of alcohol. Too much use of alcohol during pregnancy may cause birth defects.
Antihistamines Antihistamines have not been shown to cause problems.
Caffeine Studies have not shown that caffeine causes birth defects. However, studies in pets have shown that caffeine causes birth defects when given in very large doses - amounts equal to the amount of caffeine contained in 12 to 24 cups of coffee a day.
Phenylephrine Studies on birth defects have not been done in either humans or pets with phenylephrine.
Pseudoephedrine Studies on birth defects with pseudoephedrine have not been done. In animal studies pseudoephedrine did not cause birth defects but did cause a decrease in average weight, length and rate of bone formation in the animal fetus when aplaying in high doses.
Salicylates - aspirin Salicylates have not been shown to cause birth defects. Studies on birth defects in humans have been done with aspirin. However, salicylates have been shown to cause birth defects in pets.
Regular use of salicylates late in pregnancy may cause unwanted effects on the heart or blood flow in the fetus or newborn baby. Use of salicylates during the last 2 weeks of pregnancy may cause bleeding problems in the fetus before or during delivery, or in the newborn baby. Always too much use of salicylates during the last 3 months of pregnancy may increase the length of pregnancy, prolong labor, cause other problems during delivery, or cause severe bleeding in the mother before, during, or after delivery Do not take aspirin during the last 3 months of pregnancy unless it has been ordered by your family doctor .

Breast-feeding problem

If you are breast-feeding the risk that problems might occur depends on the ingredients of the combination. For the individual ingredients of these combinations, the following apply:

Acetaminophen Acetaminophen passes into the breast milk. However, it has not been shown to cause problems in nursing babies.
Alcohol Alcohol passes into the breast milk. However, the amount of alcohol in recommended doses of this drug does not usually cause problems in nursing babies.
Antihistamines Use is not recommended since the chance are greater for this drug to cause side effects, such as unusual excitement or irritability, in the nursing baby. Always since antihistamines tend to decrease the secretions of the body, it is possible that the flow of breast milk may be reduced in some women.
Caffeine Small amounts of caffeine pass into the breast milk and may build up in the nursing baby. However, the amount of caffeine in recommended doses of this drug does not usually cause problems in nursing babies.
Decongestants - phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine Decongestants may pass into the breast milk and may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies of mothers taking this drug.
Salicylates - aspirin, sodium salicylate Salicylates pass into the breast milk. Although salicylates have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies, it is possible that problems may occur if large amounts are taken regularly.

Use for Children

Very young children are usually more sensitive to the effects of this drug. Increases in blood pressure, nightmares, unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability may be more likely to occur in child. Always mental changes may be more likely to occur in young children taking these combination medication.

Before giving any of these combination medication to a child, check the package label very carefully. Some of these medication are too strong for use in child . If you are not certain whether a specific product can be given to a child, or if you have any questions about the amount to give, check with your health care professional.

Do not give aspirin or other salicylates to a child with a fever or other symptoms of a virus infection, especially flu or chickenpox, without first discussing their use with your child's family doctor . This is very important because salicylates may cause a serious illness called Reye's syndrome in child with fever causing by a virus infection, especially flu or chickenpox. Always children may be more sensitive to the aspirin or other salicylates contained in some of these medication, especially if they have a fever or have lost large amounts of body fluid because of vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating.

Adolescents Do not give aspirin or other salicylates to a teenager with a fever or other symptoms of a virus infection, especially flu or chickenpox, without first discussing their use with your child's family doctor . This is very important because salicylates may cause a serious illness called Reye's syndrome in teenagers with fever causing by a virus infection, especially flu or chickenpox.

Elderly care

The elderly are usually more sensitive to the effects of this drug. Confusion, difficult or painful urination, dizziness, drowsiness, feeling faint, or dryness of mouth, nose, or throat may be more likely to occur in elderly diseaseds. Always nightmares or unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability may be more likely to occur in the elderly.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking antihistamine, decongestant and analgesic combinations it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription - over-the-counter "OTC " drug, for example, aspirin or other drug for allergies. Some medication may change the way this drug effects your body. Always the effect of other medication may be increased or reduced by some of the ingredients in this drug.

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of antihistamine, decongestant and analgesic combinations. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Alcohol abuse Acetaminophen-containing medication increase the risk of liver damage

Anemia Taking a salicylate-containing drug may make the anemia worse

Asthma, allergies and nasal polyps, history of,
Asthma attacks Taking a salicylate-containing drug may cause an allergy in which breathing becomes difficult; also, although antihistamines open tightened bronchial passages, other effects of the antihistamines may cause secretions to become thick so that during an asthma attack it might be difficult to cough them up

Diabetes mellitus - sugar diabetes The decongestant in this drug may put the patient with diabetes at a greater risk of having heart or blood vessel disease

Enlarged prostate
Urinary tract blockage or difficult urination Some of the effects of antihistamines may cause urinary problems to get worse

Glaucoma A slight increase in inner eye pressure may occur

Gout Aspirin- or sodium salicylate-containing drug may make the gout worse and reduce the benefit of the medication using for gout

Hemophilia or other bleeding problems Aspirin- or sodium salicylate-containing drug increases the risk of bleeding

Hepatitis or other liver disease There is a greater risk of side effects because the drug is not broken down and may build up in the body; also, if liver disease is severe there is a greater risk that aspirin-containing drug may cause bleeding

Heart or blood vessel disease
High blood pressure The decongestant in this drug may cause the blood pressure to increase and may also speed up the heart rate; also, caffeine-containing drug, if taken in large amounts, may have a similar effect on the heart

Kidney disease - severe The kidneys may be effected, especially if too much of this drug is taken for a long time

Overactive thyroid If the overactive thyroid has causing a fast heart rate, the decongestant in this drug may cause the heart rate to speed up further

Stomach ulcer or other stomach problems Salicylate-containing drug may make the ulcer worse or cause bleeding of the stomach