DEXBROMPHENIRAMINE PSEUDOEPHEDRINE

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Topicort

GENERIC NAME(S): DESOXIMETASONE

Description: Dexbrompheniramine pseudoephedrine is an antihistamine and decongestant combination. The antihistamine blocks the action of histamine, and prevents inflammation. The decongestant helps in sinus and nasal drainage, which relieve congestion and pressure.

Uses

Indications:

temporarily relieves nasal congestion due to the common cold, hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies, and associated with sinusitis
helps decongest sinus openings and sinus passages
reduces swelling of nasal passages, shrinks swollen membranes, and temporarily restores freer breathing through the nose
temporarily alleviates the following symptoms due to hay fever (allergic rhinitis):
- runny nose
- sneezing
- itching of the nose or throat
- itchy and watery eyes

Contraindications:

Do not use if:

you are allergic to any ingredient in dexbrompheniramine/pseudoephedrine sustained-release tablets
you have severe high blood pressure, severe heart blood vessel disease, rapid heartbeat, or severe heart problems
you take sodium oxybate (GHB) or if you have taken furazolidone or a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days

How to use dexbrompheniramine-pseudoephedrine:

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor.
If you are self-treating, follow all directions on the product package. If you are uncertain about any of the information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This medication may be taken with food if stomach upset occurs. Drink plenty of fluids unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Do not crush or chew extended-release tablets or capsules. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects.
If you are using chewable tablets, chew each tablet thoroughly before swallowing.

If you are using a product made to dissolve in the mouth (tablets/strips), dry your hands before handling the medication. Place each dose on the tongue and allow to dissolve completely, then swallow it with saliva or with water.

Warnings

Do not use If you are now taking a prescription monoamineoxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (certain drugs for depression, psychiatric or emotional conditions, or Parkinson’s disease), or for 2 weeks after stopping the MAOI drug.

Side Effects

Common side effects:

Drowsiness,
dizziness,
dry mouth/nose/throat,
headache,
upset stomach,
constipation, or
trouble sleeping

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

mental/mood changes (such as confusion, hallucinations),
ringing in the ears,
difficulty urinating,
vision changes (such as blurred/double vision).

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: fast/irregular heartbeat, seizure.

Precautions

Precautions:

Allergy: Before taking this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any of its ingredients; or if you have any other allergies.
Medical History: Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you had: breathing problems (such as asthma, emphysema), diabetes, glaucoma, heart problems, high blood pressure, kidney problems, liver disease, seizures, stomach/intestinal problems (such as ulcers, blockage), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), difficulty urinating (such as due to enlarged prostate).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Pregnancy Risk: During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

Breastfeeding: This medication may pass into breast milk and the effect on a nursing infant is unknown. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions:

Some products that may interact with this drug include: antihistamines applied to the skin (such as diphenhydramine cream, ointment, spray), blood pressure medications (especially reserpine, guanethidine, methyldopa, beta blockers such as atenolol, or calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine).
Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this medication. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness including alcohol, antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, and narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine).

Overdose & Brands

Overdose:

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Symptoms of overdose may include: irregular heartbeat, hallucinations, fainting, seizures.

Notes

If your doctor has prescribed this medication, do not share it with others.

Keep all regular medical and laboratory appointments.

Do not take this product for several days before allergy testing because test results can be affected.

Missed Dose

If you are taking this product on a regular schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not freeze liquid forms of this medication. Different brands of this medication have different storage needs. Check the product package for instructions on how to store your brand, or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Brands:

There are no brands containing this molecule.