Asthma: Over The Counter Treatment (cont.)
What side effects and drug
interactions are there with OTC asthma medicines?
Ephedrine poses a greater chance of causing adverse drug effects or drug
interactions than epinephrine because it must be absorbed into the body to be
effective. Nervousness, sleeplessness, anxiety, nausea, reduced appetite, rapid
heart beat, tremors (the "shakes"), and urinary retention are the
most common adverse effects. Immediate medical attention may be necessary for
these side effects.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (phenelzine, isocarboxazid), clonidine,
selegiline, guanethidine, and ergotamines (ergotamine tartrate,
dihydroergotamine mesylate) may increase blood pressure when used at the same
time as ephedrine. Methyldopa or reserpine may reduce ephedrine levels in the
blood and thereby lessen the effectiveness of ephedrine. Tricyclic
antidepressants (desipramine, amitriptyline, doxepin, and imipramine) may
block the effect of ephedrine. The carbonic anydrase inhibitors acetazolamide
and dichlorphenamide may raise ephedrine blood levels and increase the risk of
side effects from ephedrine. Patients taking any medications should consult
with their physician or pharmacist before starting OTC ephedrine.
Since epinephrine is inhaled directly into the lungs and little is absorbed
into other organs of the body, there is less risk for side effects. Epinephrine
rarely causes rapid heartbeat, irregular heart rhythms, high blood pressure,
tremor, or anxiety.
Since there are specific risks with epinephrine or ephedrine in certain
medical conditions, physician advice and supervision should be sought before
taking epinephrine or ephedrine if there is heart disease (coronary artery
disease, congestive heart failure, irregular heart rhythms), high blood
pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, or difficulty urinating due to enlargement
of the prostate. In addition, patients should seek medical advice before taking
ephedrine if they already are taking antidepressants.
Next: What are additional measures in the management of asthma? »
- Over-The-Counter Products -
- Nebulizer for Asthma - Learn how to use a portable asthma home nebulizer (breathing machine), assemble the mask (mouthpiece) and measure the medication for nebulization treatment.
- Asthma - Read about asthma signs and symptoms, statistics, medication, inhalers, and management, and triggers (or what causes an attack). Get the facts about asthma in children and exercise-induced asthma.
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