Westrim

 
Generic Name: phenylpropanolamine

Brands: Acutrim 16 Hour, Acutrim II, Maximum Strength, Acutrim Late Day, Control, Dexatrim, Empro, Mega-Trim, Phenyldrine, Propagest, Propan, Rhindecon, Westrim, Westrim LA

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What is the most important information I should know about Westrim?

· Westrim 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 Westrim.

· Do not take Westrim for longer than 7 days if your condition does not improve or if your symptoms are accompanied by a high fever.

· Do not take more of this medication than is recommended on the package or by your doctor.

· Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Westrim may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

 

What is Westrim?

· Westrim is a decongestant. It works by constricting (shrinking) blood vessels (veins and arteries) in your body. Constriction of blood vessels in your sinuses, nose, and chest allows drainage of those areas, which decreases congestion.

· Westrim is used to treat the congestion associated with allergies, hay fever, sinus irritation, and the common cold. Westrim also causes a decrease in appetite and is used in some over-the-counter diet aids.

· Westrim 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 Westrim.

· Westrim may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

 

Who should not take Westrim?

· Do not take Westrim if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A very dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

· Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have     ·high blood pressure;     ·any type of heart disease, hardening of the arteries, or irregular heartbeat;     ·thyroid problems;     ·diabetes;     ·glaucoma or increased pressure in your eye;     ·an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating; or     ·liver or kidney disease.

· You may not be able to take Westrim, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

· It is not known whether Westrim will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

· Infants are especially sensitive to the effects of Westrim. Do not take this drug 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 Westrim. You may require a lower dose of this medication. Using a short-acting formulation of Westrim (not a long-acting or a controlled-release formulation) may be safer if you are over 60 years of age.

 

How should I take Westrim?

· Take Westrim exactly as directed by your doctor, or follow the instructions that accompany the package. 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.

· Never take this medication in larger doses or more often than is recommended. Too much Westrim could be very harmful.

· If your symptoms are accompanied by a high fever, or if they do not improve in 7 days, see your doctor.

· Store Westrim 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 your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

 

What happens if I overdose?

· Seek emergency medical attention.

· Symptoms of a Westrim overdose include extreme tiredness, sweating, dizziness, a slow heart beat, and a coma.

 

What should I avoid while taking Westrim?

· Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Westrim may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

· Never take this medication in larger doses or more often than is recommended. Too much Westrim could be very harmful.

 

What are the possible side effects of Westrim?

· If you experience any of the following serious side effects from this medication, stop taking Westrim and seek emergency medical attention:     ·an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);     ·seizures;     ·unusual behavior or hallucinations; or     ·an irregular or fast heartbeat.

· Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Westrim and talk to your doctor if you experience     ·dizziness, lightheadedness, or drowsiness;     ·headache;     ·insomnia;     ·anxiety;     ·tremor (shaking) or restlessness;     ·nausea or vomiting; or     ·sweating.

· 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 Westrim?

· Do not take Westrim if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A very dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

· Westrim may also interact with the following medicines:     ·furazolidone (Furoxone);     ·guanethidine (Ismelin);     ·indomethacin (Indocin);     ·methyldopa (Aldomet);     ·bromocriptine (Parlodel);     ·caffeine in cola, tea, coffee, chocolate, and other products;     ·theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron, Theolair, others);     ·tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), doxepin (Sinequan), and nortriptyline (Pamelor);     ·other commonly used tricyclic antidepressants, including amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil);     ·phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), and prochlorperazine (Compazine); and     ·other commonly used phenothiazines, including fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), mesoridazine (Serentil), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine).

· Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Westrim. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

 

Where can I get more information?

· Your pharmacist has more information about Westrim written for health professionals that you may read.

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