Can you take Medi-Sleep with Phenoxybenzamine?
1 drug interaction and 22 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:
- Medi-Sleep (doxylamine)
- phenoxybenzamine
Drug interactions
Moderate drug interactions
Moderate:
phenoxybenzamine doxylamine
Applies to: phenoxybenzamine and Medi-Sleep (doxylamine)
Phenoxybenzamine and doxylamine may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure.
You may experience headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, or changes in pulse or heart rate, especially when treatment is started, the dose is changed, or treatment is restarted.
Tell your doctor promptly if these symptoms occur and seek urgent medical help if you faint or have severe dizziness.
Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you, and use caution when getting up from a sitting or lying position.
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:
doxylamine Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: Medi-Sleep (doxylamine)
Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of doxylamine such as:
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- difficulty concentrating
Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment.
You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with doxylamine.
Do not use more than the recommended dose of doxylamine, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.
Moderate:
phenoxybenzamine Alcohol (Ethanol)
Applies to: phenoxybenzamine
Ethanol and phenoxybenzamine may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure.
You may experience headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, or changes in pulse or heart rate, especially when treatment is started, the dose is changed, or treatment is restarted.
Tell your doctor promptly if these symptoms occur and seek urgent medical help if you faint or have severe dizziness.
Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you, and use caution when getting up from a sitting or lying position.
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
20 potential interactions Applies to: 15 conditions, including Depression, Heart Failure, Asthma, COPD, and Hypotension.
Asthma
Moderate:
Medi-Sleep
The doxylamine in Medi-Sleep has a moderate potential interaction with Asthma.
It has been suggested that the anticholinergic effect of antihistamines may reduce the volume and cause thickening of bronchial secretions, resulting in obstruction of respiratory tract. Some manufacturers and clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Moderate:
Medi-Sleep
The doxylamine in Medi-Sleep has a moderate potential interaction with Asthma.
Oral anxiolytic, sedative, and hypnotic agents may cause respiratory depression and apnea when given in high dosages or following acute overdose. However, some patients may be susceptible at commonly used dosages, including the elderly, debilitated or severely ill patients, those receiving other CNS depressants, and those with limited ventilatory reserve, chronic pulmonary insufficiency or other respiratory disorders. Therapy with anxiolytic, sedative, and hypnotic agents should be administered cautiously in these patients. Appropriate monitoring and individualization of dosage are recommended.
Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders
Moderate:
Medi-Sleep
The doxylamine in Medi-Sleep has a moderate potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.
Antihistamines may infrequently cause cardiovascular adverse effects related to their anticholinergic and local anesthetic (quinidine-like) activities. Tachycardia, palpitation, ECG changes, arrhythmias, hypotension, and hypertension have been reported. Although these effects are uncommon and usually limited to overdosage situations, the manufacturers and some clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and/or hyperthyroidism.
Cerebral Vascular Disorder
Major:
phenoxybenzamine
Phenoxybenzamine has a major potential interaction with Cerebral Vascular Disorder.
The use of phenoxybenzamine is contraindicated when a decrease in blood pressure may be undesirable, such as in patients with marked cerebrovascular or coronary insufficiency in whom ischemia may be aggravated. Also, phenoxybenzamine- induced reflex tachycardia can precipitate frank congestive heart failure (CHF) and angina in patients with compensated CHF or coronary artery disease. Phenoxybenzamine should be used with caution under such circumstances.
COPD
Moderate:
Medi-Sleep
The doxylamine in Medi-Sleep has a moderate potential interaction with COPD.
It has been suggested that the anticholinergic effect of antihistamines may reduce the volume and cause thickening of bronchial secretions, resulting in obstruction of respiratory tract. Some manufacturers and clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Depression
Major:
Medi-Sleep
The doxylamine in Medi-Sleep has a major potential interaction with Depression.
A variety of abnormal thinking and behavior changes have been reported to occur in association with the use of most anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics. Some of these changes include decreased inhibition, aggressiveness, agitation, and hallucinations. These drugs can cause or exacerbate mental depression and cause suicidal behavior and ideation. Therapy with these drugs should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of depression or other psychiatric disorders. Patients should be monitored for any changes in mood or behavior. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients.
Gastrointestinal Obstruction
Moderate:
Medi-Sleep
The doxylamine in Medi-Sleep has a moderate potential interaction with Gastrointestinal Obstruction.
Antihistamines often have anticholinergic activity, to which elderly patients are particularly sensitive. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously, if at all, in patients with preexisting conditions that are likely to be exacerbated by anticholinergic activity, such as urinary retention or obstruction; angle-closure glaucoma, untreated intraocular hypertension, or uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma; and gastrointestinal obstructive disorders. Conventional, first-generation antihistamines such as the ethanolamines (bromodiphenhydramine, carbinoxamine, clemastine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, phenyltoloxamine) tend to exhibit substantial anticholinergic effects. In contrast, the newer, relatively nonsedating antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, fexofenadine, loratadine) reportedly have low to minimal anticholinergic activity at normally recommended dosages and may be appropriate alternatives.
Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension
Moderate:
Medi-Sleep
The doxylamine in Medi-Sleep has a moderate potential interaction with Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension.
Antihistamines often have anticholinergic activity, to which elderly patients are particularly sensitive. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously, if at all, in patients with preexisting conditions that are likely to be exacerbated by anticholinergic activity, such as urinary retention or obstruction; angle-closure glaucoma, untreated intraocular hypertension, or uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma; and gastrointestinal obstructive disorders. Conventional, first-generation antihistamines such as the ethanolamines (bromodiphenhydramine, carbinoxamine, clemastine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, phenyltoloxamine) tend to exhibit substantial anticholinergic effects. In contrast, the newer, relatively nonsedating antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, fexofenadine, loratadine) reportedly have low to minimal anticholinergic activity at normally recommended dosages and may be appropriate alternatives.
Moderate:
Medi-Sleep
The doxylamine in Medi-Sleep has a moderate potential interaction with Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension.
Some hypnotic drugs can have an anticholinergic effect and should be used with caution in patients with glaucoma, and trouble urinating due to retention or enlarged prostate.
Heart Failure
Major:
phenoxybenzamine
Phenoxybenzamine has a major potential interaction with Heart Failure.
The use of phenoxybenzamine is contraindicated when a decrease in blood pressure may be undesirable, such as in patients with marked cerebrovascular or coronary insufficiency in whom ischemia may be aggravated. Also, phenoxybenzamine- induced reflex tachycardia can precipitate frank congestive heart failure (CHF) and angina in patients with compensated CHF or coronary artery disease. Phenoxybenzamine should be used with caution under such circumstances.
Hyperthyroidism
Moderate:
Medi-Sleep
The doxylamine in Medi-Sleep has a moderate potential interaction with Hyperthyroidism.
Antihistamines may infrequently cause cardiovascular adverse effects related to their anticholinergic and local anesthetic (quinidine-like) activities. Tachycardia, palpitation, ECG changes, arrhythmias, hypotension, and hypertension have been reported. Although these effects are uncommon and usually limited to overdosage situations, the manufacturers and some clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and/or hyperthyroidism.
Hypotension
Moderate:
Medi-Sleep
The doxylamine in Medi-Sleep has a moderate potential interaction with Hypotension.
Antihistamines may infrequently cause cardiovascular adverse effects related to their anticholinergic and local anesthetic (quinidine-like) activities. Tachycardia, palpitation, ECG changes, arrhythmias, hypotension, and hypertension have been reported. Although these effects are uncommon and usually limited to overdosage situations, the manufacturers and some clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and/or hyperthyroidism.
Ischemic Heart Disease
Major:
phenoxybenzamine
Phenoxybenzamine has a major potential interaction with Ischemic Heart Disease.
The use of phenoxybenzamine is contraindicated when a decrease in blood pressure may be undesirable, such as in patients with marked cerebrovascular or coronary insufficiency in whom ischemia may be aggravated. Also, phenoxybenzamine- induced reflex tachycardia can precipitate frank congestive heart failure (CHF) and angina in patients with compensated CHF or coronary artery disease. Phenoxybenzamine should be used with caution under such circumstances.
Liver Disease
Moderate:
Medi-Sleep
The doxylamine in Medi-Sleep has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.
Limited pharmacokinetic data are available for the older, first-generation antihistamines. Many appear to be primarily metabolized by the liver, and both parent drugs and metabolites are excreted in the urine. Patients with renal and/or liver disease may be at greater risk for adverse effects from antihistamines due to drug and metabolite accumulation. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously in such patients. Lower initial dosages may be appropriate.
Moderate:
Medi-Sleep
The doxylamine in Medi-Sleep has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.
In general, anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics are extensively metabolized by the liver. Their plasma clearance may be decreased and their half-life prolonged in patients with impaired hepatic function. Therapy with these drugs should be administered cautiously in patients with liver disease (some are not recommended in severe liver impairment), and the dosage should be adjusted accordingly. Laboratory testing is recommended prior and during treatment.
Pleuropulmonary Infection
Moderate:
phenoxybenzamine
Phenoxybenzamine has a moderate potential interaction with Pleuropulmonary Infection.
The adrenergic blocking effect of phenoxybenzamine may aggravate the symptoms of respiratory infections. Caution is recommended when treating patients with respiratory infections.
Renal Dysfunction
Moderate:
Medi-Sleep
The doxylamine in Medi-Sleep has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.
Limited pharmacokinetic data are available for the older, first-generation antihistamines. Many appear to be primarily metabolized by the liver, and both parent drugs and metabolites are excreted in the urine. Patients with renal and/or liver disease may be at greater risk for adverse effects from antihistamines due to drug and metabolite accumulation. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously in such patients. Lower initial dosages may be appropriate.
Moderate:
phenoxybenzamine
Phenoxybenzamine has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.
Phenoxybenzamine should be administered with caution in patients with marked renal damage.
Urinary Retention
Moderate:
Medi-Sleep
The doxylamine in Medi-Sleep has a moderate potential interaction with Urinary Retention.
Antihistamines often have anticholinergic activity, to which elderly patients are particularly sensitive. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously, if at all, in patients with preexisting conditions that are likely to be exacerbated by anticholinergic activity, such as urinary retention or obstruction; angle-closure glaucoma, untreated intraocular hypertension, or uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma; and gastrointestinal obstructive disorders. Conventional, first-generation antihistamines such as the ethanolamines (bromodiphenhydramine, carbinoxamine, clemastine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, phenyltoloxamine) tend to exhibit substantial anticholinergic effects. In contrast, the newer, relatively nonsedating antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, fexofenadine, loratadine) reportedly have low to minimal anticholinergic activity at normally recommended dosages and may be appropriate alternatives.
Moderate:
Medi-Sleep
The doxylamine in Medi-Sleep has a moderate potential interaction with Urinary Retention.
Some hypnotic drugs can have an anticholinergic effect and should be used with caution in patients with glaucoma, and trouble urinating due to retention or enlarged prostate.
More resources
Medi-Sleep
A total of 465 drugs are known to interact with Medi-Sleep.
- Medi-sleep is in the drug class miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics.
- Medi-sleep is used to treat Insomnia.
phenoxybenzamine
A total of 238 drugs are known to interact with phenoxybenzamine.
- Phenoxybenzamine is in the drug class miscellaneous cardiovascular agents.
- Phenoxybenzamine is used to treat Pheochromocytoma.
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.