Pronunciation: FEN-il-EF-rin
Generic Name: Phenylephrine
Brand Name: Examples include Dimetapp Decongestant and Little Colds Decongestant
Dimetapp Decongestant Drops are used for:
Relieving congestion due to colds, flu, and allergies. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Dimetapp Decongestant Drops are a decongestant. It works by reducing swelling and constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages, allowing you to breathe more easily.
Do NOT use Dimetapp Decongestant Drops if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Dimetapp Decongestant Drops
- you are taking furazolidone or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) in the last 14 days
- you have high blood pressure or an abnormally fast heartbeat
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Dimetapp Decongestant Drops:
Some medical conditions may interact with Dimetapp Decongestant Drops. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have heart disease, diabetes, phenylketonuria (PKU), an adrenal gland tumor, or thyroid disease
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Dimetapp Decongestant Drops. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Rauwolfia derivatives (eg, reserpine) or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they may decrease Dimetapp Decongestant Drops's effectiveness
- Cocaine, furazolidone, MAOIs (eg, phenelzine), methyldopa, oxytocic medicines (eg, oxytocin), rauwolfia derivatives (eg, reserpine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they may increase the risk of Dimetapp Decongestant Drops's side effects
- Bromocriptine, catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors (eg, entacapone), or droxidopa because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Dimetapp Decongestant Drops
- Guanethidine because its effectiveness may be decreased by Dimetapp Decongestant Drops
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Dimetapp Decongestant Drops may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Dimetapp Decongestant Drops:
Use Dimetapp Decongestant Drops as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Dimetapp Decongestant Drops by mouth with food, water, or milk to reduce stomach irritation.
- Use the dropper that comes with Dimetapp Decongestant Drops to measure your dose. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure your dose.
- If you miss a dose of Dimetapp Decongestant Drops and are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Dimetapp Decongestant Drops.
Important safety information:
- Dimetapp Decongestant Drops may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Dimetapp Decongestant Drops with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- If your symptoms do not get better within 7 days or if you develop a high fever, check with your doctor.
- If you have trouble sleeping, ask your pharmacist or doctor about the best time to take Dimetapp Decongestant Drops.
- Do not take diet or appetite control medicines while you are taking Dimetapp Decongestant Drops.
- Some of these products contain phenylalanine. If you must have a diet that is low in phenylalanine, ask your pharmacist if it is in your product.
- Diabetes patients - Dimetapp Decongestant Drops may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Use Dimetapp Decongestant Drops with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Dimetapp Decongestant Drops should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 2 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Dimetapp Decongestant Drops while you are pregnant. It is not known if Dimetapp Decongestant Drops are found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Dimetapp Decongestant Drops, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
When used for longer than a few weeks or at high doses, some people develop a need to continue taking Dimetapp Decongestant Drops. This is known as DEPENDENCE or addiction. If you stop taking Dimetapp Decongestant Drops suddenly, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include depression.
Possible side effects of Dimetapp Decongestant Drops:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Difficulty urinating; dizziness; headache; nausea; nervousness; restlessness; sleeplessness; stomach irritation.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue).
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Dimetapp Decongestant side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include confusion; hallucinations; irregular or unusually slow or rapid heartbeat; rapid breathing; seizures.
Proper storage of Dimetapp Decongestant Drops:
Store Dimetapp Decongestant Drops at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Dimetapp Decongestant Drops out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Dimetapp Decongestant Drops, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Dimetapp Decongestant Drops are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Dimetapp Decongestant Drops. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Dimetapp Decongestant resources
- Dimetapp Decongestant Side Effects (in more detail)
- Dimetapp Decongestant Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Dimetapp Decongestant Drug Interactions
- 0 Reviews · Be the first to review/rate this drug
No comments:
Post a Comment