Can you take Ephedrine nasal with Medex-LA?
1 drug interaction and 17 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:
- ephedrine nasal
- Medex-LA (guaifenesin/phenylpropanolamine)
Drug interactions
Moderate drug interactions
Moderate:
phenylpropanolamine ePHEDrine nasal
Applies to: Medex-LA (guaifenesin / phenylpropanolamine) and ephedrine nasal
Both phenylpropanolamine and ePHEDrine nasal can increase blood pressure and heart rate and combining them may enhance these effects. Talk to your doctor before using these medications, especially if you have a history of high blood pressure or heart disease. You may need more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. Contact your doctor if your condition changes or you experience increased side effects. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate:
phenylpropanolamine Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: Medex-LA (guaifenesin / phenylpropanolamine)
Using phenylpropanolamine with alcohol can increase the risk of cardiovascular side effects such as increased heart rate, chest pain, or blood pressure changes. In addition, you may also be more likely to experience nervous system side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, depression, and difficulty concentrating. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with phenylpropanolamine. Do not use more than the recommended dose of phenylpropanolamine, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medication without first talking to your doctor.
Moderate:
phenylpropanolamine Caffeine
Applies to: Medex-LA (guaifenesin / phenylpropanolamine)
Both phenylpropanolamine and caffeine can increase blood pressure and heart rate, and combining them may enhance these effects. Talk to your doctor before using these medications, especially if you have a history of high blood pressure or heart disease. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. Contact your doctor if your condition changes or you experience increased side effects. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Disease interactions
15 potential interactions Applies to: 9 conditions, including Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Hyperthyroidism, Psychosis, Diabetes Mellitus, and Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Moderate:
ephedrine nasal
ePHEDrine nasal has a moderate potential interaction with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
Topically applied sympathomimetic agents are systemically absorbed, with the potential for producing clinically significant systemic effects, particularly during prolonged or indiscriminate use. In patients with prostate enlargement, urinary difficulty may develop or worsen due to smooth muscle contraction in the bladder neck via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Therapy with topical sympathomimetic agents should be administered cautiously in patients with hypertrophy or neoplasm of the prostate. It is important that the recommended dosages of the individual products not be exceeded.
Moderate:
Medex-LA
The phenylpropanolamine in Medex-LA has a moderate potential interaction with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
Sympathomimetic agents may cause or worsen urinary difficulty in patients with prostate enlargement due to smooth muscle contraction in the bladder neck via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should be administered cautiously in patients with hypertrophy or neoplasm of the prostate.
Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders
Major:
Medex-LA
The phenylpropanolamine in Medex-LA has a major potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.
Sympathomimetic agents may cause adverse cardiovascular effects, particularly when used in high dosages and/or in susceptible patients. In cardiac tissues, these agents may produce positive chronotropic and inotropic effects via stimulation of beta- 1 adrenergic receptors. Cardiac output, oxygen consumption, and the work of the heart may be increased. In the peripheral vasculature, vasoconstriction may occur via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, reflex bradycardia, coronary occlusion, cerebral vasculitis, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and death have been reported. Some of these agents, particularly ephedra alkaloids (ephedrine, ma huang, phenylpropanolamine), may also predispose patients to hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should generally be avoided or administered cautiously in patients with sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines, hyperthyroidism, or underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders. These agents should not be used in patients with severe coronary artery disease or severe/uncontrolled hypertension.
Moderate:
ephedrine nasal
ePHEDrine nasal has a moderate potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.
Topically applied sympathomimetic agents are systemically absorbed, with the potential for producing clinically significant systemic effects, particularly during prolonged or indiscriminate use. In cardiac tissues, these agents may produce positive chronotropic and inotropic effects via stimulation of beta-1 adrenergic receptors. Cardiac output, oxygen consumption, and the work of the heart may be increased. In the peripheral vasculature, vasoconstriction may occur via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, reflex bradycardia, and coronary occlusion have been reported rarely during the use of ophthalmic and nasal sympathomimetic agents, but may be more likely if the corneal epithelium is damaged or if an excessive amount of drug is swallowed during nasal administration. Therapy with topical sympathomimetic agents should be administered cautiously in patients with corneal abrasion, sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines, hyperthyroidism, or underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders, especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmia, or hypertension. The potent ophthalmic formulations (e.g., phenylephrine 2.5% or 10%) that are used for diagnostic and pre-surgical purposes should not be used in such patients. For other preparations, it is important that the recommended dosages of the individual products not be exceeded.
Cerebrovascular Insufficiency
Major:
Medex-LA
The phenylpropanolamine in Medex-LA has a major potential interaction with Cerebrovascular Insufficiency.
Sympathomimetic agents may cause adverse cardiovascular effects, particularly when used in high dosages and/or in susceptible patients. In cardiac tissues, these agents may produce positive chronotropic and inotropic effects via stimulation of beta- 1 adrenergic receptors. Cardiac output, oxygen consumption, and the work of the heart may be increased. In the peripheral vasculature, vasoconstriction may occur via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, reflex bradycardia, coronary occlusion, cerebral vasculitis, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and death have been reported. Some of these agents, particularly ephedra alkaloids (ephedrine, ma huang, phenylpropanolamine), may also predispose patients to hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should generally be avoided or administered cautiously in patients with sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines, hyperthyroidism, or underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders. These agents should not be used in patients with severe coronary artery disease or severe/uncontrolled hypertension.
Moderate:
ephedrine nasal
ePHEDrine nasal has a moderate potential interaction with Cerebrovascular Insufficiency.
Topically applied sympathomimetic agents are systemically absorbed, with the potential for producing clinically significant systemic effects, particularly during prolonged or indiscriminate use. In cardiac tissues, these agents may produce positive chronotropic and inotropic effects via stimulation of beta-1 adrenergic receptors. Cardiac output, oxygen consumption, and the work of the heart may be increased. In the peripheral vasculature, vasoconstriction may occur via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, reflex bradycardia, and coronary occlusion have been reported rarely during the use of ophthalmic and nasal sympathomimetic agents, but may be more likely if the corneal epithelium is damaged or if an excessive amount of drug is swallowed during nasal administration. Therapy with topical sympathomimetic agents should be administered cautiously in patients with corneal abrasion, sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines, hyperthyroidism, or underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders, especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmia, or hypertension. The potent ophthalmic formulations (e.g., phenylephrine 2.5% or 10%) that are used for diagnostic and pre-surgical purposes should not be used in such patients. For other preparations, it is important that the recommended dosages of the individual products not be exceeded.
Diabetes Mellitus
Moderate:
ephedrine nasal
ePHEDrine nasal has a moderate potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.
Topically applied sympathomimetic agents are systemically absorbed, particularly during prolonged or indiscriminate use. Slight increases in blood glucose concentrations may occur with the use of these drugs. Therapy with topical sympathomimetic agents should be administered cautiously in patients with diabetes mellitus. Closer monitoring of blood glucose concentrations may be appropriate. It is important that the recommended dosages of the individual products not be exceeded.
Moderate:
Medex-LA
The phenylpropanolamine in Medex-LA has a moderate potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.
Sympathomimetic agents may cause increases in blood glucose concentrations. These effects are usually transient and slight but may be significant with dosages higher than those normally recommended. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should be administered cautiously in patients with diabetes mellitus. Closer monitoring of blood glucose concentrations may be appropriate.
Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension
Moderate:
Medex-LA
The phenylpropanolamine in Medex-LA has a moderate potential interaction with Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension.
Sympathomimetic agents can induce transient mydriasis via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. In patients with anatomically narrow angles or narrow-angle glaucoma, pupillary dilation can provoke an acute attack. In patients with other forms of glaucoma, mydriasis may occasionally increase intraocular pressure. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to glaucoma, particularly narrow-angle glaucoma.
Hyperthyroidism
Major:
Medex-LA
The phenylpropanolamine in Medex-LA has a major potential interaction with Hyperthyroidism.
Sympathomimetic agents may cause adverse cardiovascular effects, particularly when used in high dosages and/or in susceptible patients. In cardiac tissues, these agents may produce positive chronotropic and inotropic effects via stimulation of beta- 1 adrenergic receptors. Cardiac output, oxygen consumption, and the work of the heart may be increased. In the peripheral vasculature, vasoconstriction may occur via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, reflex bradycardia, coronary occlusion, cerebral vasculitis, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and death have been reported. Some of these agents, particularly ephedra alkaloids (ephedrine, ma huang, phenylpropanolamine), may also predispose patients to hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should generally be avoided or administered cautiously in patients with sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines, hyperthyroidism, or underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders. These agents should not be used in patients with severe coronary artery disease or severe/uncontrolled hypertension.
Moderate:
ephedrine nasal
ePHEDrine nasal has a moderate potential interaction with Hyperthyroidism.
Topically applied sympathomimetic agents are systemically absorbed, with the potential for producing clinically significant systemic effects, particularly during prolonged or indiscriminate use. In cardiac tissues, these agents may produce positive chronotropic and inotropic effects via stimulation of beta-1 adrenergic receptors. Cardiac output, oxygen consumption, and the work of the heart may be increased. In the peripheral vasculature, vasoconstriction may occur via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, reflex bradycardia, and coronary occlusion have been reported rarely during the use of ophthalmic and nasal sympathomimetic agents, but may be more likely if the corneal epithelium is damaged or if an excessive amount of drug is swallowed during nasal administration. Therapy with topical sympathomimetic agents should be administered cautiously in patients with corneal abrasion, sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines, hyperthyroidism, or underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders, especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmia, or hypertension. The potent ophthalmic formulations (e.g., phenylephrine 2.5% or 10%) that are used for diagnostic and pre-surgical purposes should not be used in such patients. For other preparations, it is important that the recommended dosages of the individual products not be exceeded.
Prostate Tumor, Benign
Moderate:
ephedrine nasal
ePHEDrine nasal has a moderate potential interaction with Prostate Tumor, Benign.
Topically applied sympathomimetic agents are systemically absorbed, with the potential for producing clinically significant systemic effects, particularly during prolonged or indiscriminate use. In patients with prostate enlargement, urinary difficulty may develop or worsen due to smooth muscle contraction in the bladder neck via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Therapy with topical sympathomimetic agents should be administered cautiously in patients with hypertrophy or neoplasm of the prostate. It is important that the recommended dosages of the individual products not be exceeded.
Moderate:
Medex-LA
The phenylpropanolamine in Medex-LA has a moderate potential interaction with Prostate Tumor, Benign.
Sympathomimetic agents may cause or worsen urinary difficulty in patients with prostate enlargement due to smooth muscle contraction in the bladder neck via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should be administered cautiously in patients with hypertrophy or neoplasm of the prostate.
Psychiatric Disorders
Moderate:
Medex-LA
The phenylpropanolamine in Medex-LA has a moderate potential interaction with Psychiatric Disorders.
Phenylpropanolamine may precipitate or exacerbate psychotic symptoms, particularly at high dosages. Therapy with phenylpropanolamine should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of psychiatric disorders.
Psychosis
Moderate:
Medex-LA
The phenylpropanolamine in Medex-LA has a moderate potential interaction with Psychosis.
Phenylpropanolamine may precipitate or exacerbate psychotic symptoms, particularly at high dosages. Therapy with phenylpropanolamine should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of psychiatric disorders.
More resources
ephedrine nasal
A total of 91 drugs are known to interact with ephedrine nasal.
- Ephedrine nasal is in the drug class nasal antihistamines and decongestants.
Medex-LA
A total of 207 drugs are known to interact with Medex-LA.
- Medex-la is in the drug class upper respiratory combinations.
- Medex-la is used to treat the following conditions:
Drug Interaction Classification
| Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
| Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
| Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan. | |
| No interaction information available. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.