Dimetapp Allergy Sinus
Generic Name: acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine (a see ta MIH noe fen/brome feh NEER a meen/fen ill proe pa NOLE a meen)
Brand Names: Dimetapp Allergy Sinus, Dimetapp Cold and Flu
What is Dimetapp Allergy Sinus (acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine)?
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer. It is used to treat many conditions,
such as headache, muscle aches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds, and fevers.
Brompheniramine is an antihistamine. It blocks the effects of the naturally occurring
chemical histamine in the body. Brompheniramine prevents sneezing; itchy, watery eyes and
nose; and other symptoms of allergies and hay fever.
Phenylpropanolamine is a decongestant. It constricts (shrinks) blood vessels (veins and
arteries). This reduces the blood flow to certain areas, which allows nasal passages to open up.
Acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine is used to treat nasal congestion;
itchy, watery eyes; itchy throat; sneezing; headache; fever; and other symptoms associated with
allergies, hay fever, and the common cold.
Phenylpropanolamine, an ingredient in this product, has been associated with an increased
risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain or into tissue surrounding the brain) in
women. Men may also be at risk. Although the risk of hemorrhagic stroke is low, the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that consumers not use any products that contain
phenylpropanolamine.
Acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine may also be used for purposes
other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about
Dimetapp Allergy Sinus (acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine)?
Phenylpropanolamine, an ingredient in this product, has been associated with an increased
risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain or into tissue surrounding the brain) in
women. Men may also be at risk. Although the risk of hemorrhagic stroke is low, the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that consumers not use any products that contain
phenylpropanolamine.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine may cause dizziness or
drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking
acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine. Alcohol may also cause damage to the
liver when taken with acetaminophen.
Who should not take
Dimetapp Allergy Sinus (acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine)?
Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you drink more
than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have had alcoholic liver disease. You may not be
able to take acetaminophen if you have these conditions.
Do not take acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine if you have
taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine
(Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could
occur, leading to serious side effects.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
-
kidney disease,
-
liver disease,
-
diabetes,
-
glaucoma,
-
any type of heart disease or high blood pressure,
-
thyroid disease,
-
emphysema or chronic bronchitis, or
-
difficulty urinating or have an enlarged prostate.
You may not be able to take
acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine, or you may require a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
It is not known whether acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine will
harm an unborn baby. Do not take acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine
without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
This medication passes into breast milk and can harm a nursing baby. Do not take
this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects
from acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine.
Read the package label for directions or consult your doctor or pharmacist before
treating a child with this medication. Children are more susceptible than adults to the effects of
medicines and may have unusual reactions.
How should I take Dimetapp Allergy Sinus (acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine)?
Take acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine exactly as directed. If you
do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Do not crush, chew, or break the long-acting or sustained-release tablets or capsules.
Swallow them whole. If you are unsure about the formulation of the medicine, ask your
pharmacist for help. If you have difficulty swallowing tablets or capsules, look for a liquid form
of the medication.
To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid forms of
acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine with a special dose-measuring spoon or
cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your
pharmacist where you can get one.
Never take more of this medication than is directed. The maximum amount of
acetaminophen for adults is 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. Taking
more acetaminophen could damage your liver. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages
per day, talk to your doctor before taking acetaminophen and never take more than 2 grams
(2000 mg) per day.
Do not take acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine for longer than 7 to
10 days in a row. If your symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you have a fever, see
your doctor.
Store acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine at room temperature
away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next
dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of an acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine overdose
include a dry mouth, large pupils, flushing, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, seizures,
confusion, sweating, and an irregular heartbeat.
What should I avoid while taking
Dimetapp Allergy Sinus (acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine)?
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine may cause dizziness or
drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking
acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine. Alcohol may also cause damage to the
liver when taken with acetaminophen.
Acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine may increase the effects of other
drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, other antihistamines, pain
relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation,
dizziness, or drowsiness may occur if acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine is
taken with any of these medications.
What are the possible side effects of
Dimetapp Allergy Sinus (acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine)?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking
acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine and seek emergency medical attention or
contact your doctor immediately:
-
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
-
liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea,
abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, or severe fatigue);
-
blood problems (easy or unusual bleeding or bruising); or
-
low blood sugar (fatigue, increased hunger or thirst,
dizziness, or fainting).
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur including:
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect
Dimetapp Allergy Sinus (acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine)?
Do not take acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine if you have
taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine
(Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could
occur, leading to serious side effects.
Urine glucose tests for diabetics may produce false results while taking acetaminophen.
Talk to your doctor if you have diabetes and you notice changes in blood glucose levels during
therapy with acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine.
Do not take other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, diet, pain, or sleep medicines
while taking acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine without first talking to your
doctor or pharmacist. Other medications may also contain brompheniramine,
phenylpropanolamine, acetaminophen, or other similar drugs, and you may accidentally take too
much of these medicines.
Acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine may increase the effects of other
drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, other antihistamines, pain
relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation,
dizziness, or drowsiness may occur if acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine is
taken with any of these medications.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with
acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist
before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Where can I get more information?
-
Your pharmacist has additional information about
acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine written for health professionals that you
may read.
What does my medication look like?
Acetaminophen/brompheniramine/phenylpropanolamine is available over-the-counter
under the brand names Dimetapp Cold and Flu and Dimetapp Allergy Sinus. Other brand or
generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about
this medication, especially if it is new to you.
-
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides.
The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.04. Revision Date: 2/13/04 4:04:16 PM.
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