Can you take Primatene with Procarbazine?
1 drug interaction and 17 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:
- Primatene (ephedrine/guaifenesin)
- procarbazine
Drug interactions
Major drug interactions
Major:
procarbazine ePHEDrine
Applies to: procarbazine and Primatene (ephedrine / guaifenesin)
Using procarbazine together with ePHEDrine is not recommended. Combining these medications can cause dangerously high blood pressure and even death.
You may use ePHEDrine only after you have been off procarbazine for at least 14 days.
You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience sudden and severe headache, blurred vision, confusion, seizures, chest pain, nausea or vomiting, sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), speech difficulties, fever, sweating, lightheadedness, and/or fainting during treatment with procarbazine, as these may be signs and symptoms of excessively high blood pressure.
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
Major food/lifestyle interactions
Major:
procarbazine Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: procarbazine
During and within two weeks after treatment with procarbazine, you must not consume any foods or beverages that are high in tyramine content. Doing so can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels, a condition known as hypertensive crisis.
The condition is potentially fatal and may cause symptoms such as:
- severe headache
- confusion
- blurred vision
- problems with speech or balance
- nausea
- vomiting
- chest pain
- convulsions
- sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body)
You should seek immediate medical attention if you have any of these symptoms.
Foods that are high in tyramine include, but are not limited to:
- air dried meats
- aged or fermented meats
- sausage or salami
- pickled herring
- anchovies
- liver
- red wine
- beer
- aged cheeses, including blue, brick, brie, cheddar, parmesan, romano, and swiss
- sour cream
- sauerkraut
- canned figs
- raisins
- bananas or avocados (particularly if overripe)
- soy beans
- soy sauce
- tofu
- miso soup
- bean curd
- fava beans
- yeast extracts (such as Marmite)
You should avoid the use of alcohol while being treated with procarbazine, as alcohol may increase some of the nervous system side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Also 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 food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate:
ePHEDrine Caffeine
Applies to: Primatene (ephedrine / guaifenesin)
Both ePHEDrine 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: 14 conditions, including Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Hyperthyroidism, Fever, Diabetes Mellitus, and Liver Disease.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Moderate:
Primatene
The ePHEDrine in Primatene 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.
Bleeding Disorder
Major:
procarbazine
Procarbazine has a major potential interaction with Bleeding Disorder.
Procarbazine induces myelosuppression, including thrombocytopenia. Bleeding tendencies have included petechiae, purpura, epistaxis, hemoptysis, hematuria, and melena. Therapy with procarbazine should be administered cautiously in patients with bleeding tendencies. Patients should be instructed to immediately report any signs or symptoms of bleeding. Procarbazine should be withheld and/or discontinued if bleeding occurs. Therapy should be withheld if white blood cell counts fall below 4000/mm3 and/or platelet counts fall below 100,000/mm3. Clinical monitoring of hematopoietic function is recommended.
Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts
Major:
procarbazine
Procarbazine has a major potential interaction with Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts.
Procarbazine induces myelosuppression. Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia have been reported during procarbazine therapy. Therapy with procarbazine is contraindicated in patients with inadequate bone marrow reserve as demonstrated by bone marrow aspiration, and should be administered after cautious consideration in patients whose bone marrow reserve may be severely depressed by prior irradiation or chemotherapy or whose marrow function is recovering from previous cytotoxic therapy. Patients should be instructed to immediately report any signs or symptoms suggesting bone marrow suppression such as fever, sore throat, local infection, or bleeding. Therapy should be withheld if leukocyte counts fall below 4000/mm3 and/or platelet counts fall below 100,000/mm3. Close monitoring of hematopoietic function is recommended.
Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders
Major:
Primatene
The ePHEDrine in Primatene 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.
Cerebrovascular Insufficiency
Major:
Primatene
The ePHEDrine in Primatene 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.
Diabetes Mellitus
Moderate:
Primatene
The ePHEDrine in Primatene 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.
Moderate:
Primatene
The ePHEDrine in Primatene has a moderate potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.
Ephedrine may produce slight increases in blood glucose concentrations. Therapy with ephedrine 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 ephedrine are not exceeded.
Fever
Major:
procarbazine
Procarbazine has a major potential interaction with Fever.
Procarbazine induces myelosuppression. Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia have been reported during procarbazine therapy. Therapy with procarbazine is contraindicated in patients with inadequate bone marrow reserve as demonstrated by bone marrow aspiration, and should be administered after cautious consideration in patients whose bone marrow reserve may be severely depressed by prior irradiation or chemotherapy or whose marrow function is recovering from previous cytotoxic therapy. Patients should be instructed to immediately report any signs or symptoms suggesting bone marrow suppression such as fever, sore throat, local infection, or bleeding. Therapy should be withheld if leukocyte counts fall below 4000/mm3 and/or platelet counts fall below 100,000/mm3. Close monitoring of hematopoietic function is recommended.
Hyperthyroidism
Major:
Primatene
The ePHEDrine in Primatene 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.
Infection
Major:
procarbazine
Procarbazine has a major potential interaction with Infection.
Because of their cytotoxic effects on rapidly proliferating tissues, antineoplastic agents frequently can, to varying extent, induce myelosuppression. The use of these drugs may be contraindicated in patients with known infectious diseases. All patients should be instructed to immediately report any signs or symptoms suggesting infection such as fever, sore throat, or local infection during antineoplastic therapy. Close clinical monitoring of hematopoietic function is recommended.
Liver Disease
Moderate:
procarbazine
Procarbazine has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.
Procarbazine is metabolized by liver and kidney. Patients with hepatic impairment may be at increased risk for toxicity from procarbazine therapy at recommended dosages. Therapy with procarbazine should be administered cautiously in patients with compromised hepatic function.
Pheochromocytoma
Major:
Primatene
The ePHEDrine in Primatene has a major potential interaction with Pheochromocytoma.
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.
Prostate Tumor, Benign
Moderate:
Primatene
The ePHEDrine in Primatene 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.
Renal Dysfunction
Moderate:
procarbazine
Procarbazine has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.
Procarbazine is metabolized by the liver and kidney. Approximately 70 % of procarbazine is excreted in the urine. Patients with renal impairment may be at increased risk for toxicity from procarbazine therapy at recommended dosages. Therapy with procarbazine should be administered cautiously in patients with compromised renal function.
Urinary Tract Obstruction
Moderate:
Primatene
The ePHEDrine in Primatene has a moderate potential interaction with Urinary Tract Obstruction.
Sympathomimetic agents such as ephedrine have 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 ephedrine should be administered cautiously in patients with difficulty for urination due to hypertrophy or neoplasm of the prostate. It is important that the recommended dosages are not exceeded.
More resources
Primatene
A total of 243 drugs are known to interact with Primatene.
- Primatene is in the drug class upper respiratory combinations.
- Primatene is used to treat Cold Symptoms.
procarbazine
A total of 570 drugs are known to interact with procarbazine.
- Procarbazine is in the drug class miscellaneous antineoplastics.
- Procarbazine 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.