Exgest LA Side Effects
Generic name: guaifenesin / phenylpropanolamine
Note: This document contains side effect information about guaifenesin / phenylpropanolamine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Exgest LA.
Applies to guaifenesin/phenylpropanolamine: oral capsule extended release, oral liquid, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.
Cardiovascular
Phenylpropanolamine causes vasoconstriction which usually does not result in blood pressure elevations in healthy adults given normally prescribed dosages. However, phenylpropanolamine administration may be problematic for patients with preexisting hypertension and those receiving higher dosages. In general, 75-mg of sustained-release phenylpropanolamine will not produce a significant increase in blood pressure in normotensive patients, but 150-mg of sustained-release phenylpropanolamine can.
The combination of caffeine and phenylpropanolamine is more apt to cause hypertension. Although caffeine is no longer added to phenylpropanolamine as an anorexiant, this combination is available as "look-alikes" for amphetamines. Hypertensive crisis has occurred occasionally subsequent to overuse, overdose, and ingestion of normally recommended doses. Hypertensive crisis may be accompanied by headache, blurred vision, confusion, intracranial hemorrhage, encephalopathy, or seizures.
Arrhythmias may be produced in predisposed patients. The majority of reports of arrhythmias involve overuse or overdose. Rarely, high doses of phenylpropanolamine may cause chest pain and evidence of myocardial injury.
One study reported that taking phenylpropanolamine increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke in women. Men may also be at risk. Although the risk of hemorrhagic stoke is very low, the FDA recommends that all use of phenylpropanolamine be discontinued.[Ref]
Cardiovascular adverse effects may be associated with the use of phenylpropanolamine. Phenylpropanolamine can cause a significant rise in heart rate. Hypertension and arrhythmias may be problematic in susceptible patients. Cardiovascular side effects have also included an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke.[Ref]
Nervous system
Phenylpropanolamine produces nervous system stimulation, resulting in tremor, anxiety, insomnia, dizziness, and nervousness. Headache may also occur. Guaifenesin may rarely cause dizziness and headache.[Ref]
Seizures may occur in rare cases of hypertensive crisis due to phenylpropanolamine and have been reported with normally recommended doses as well as in cases of overuse or overdose.
There have been anecdotal reports of cerebrovascular hemorrhage largely associated with an uneven pattern of cerebrovascular spasm referred to as vascular beading. Vascular beading has also been reported in the absence of hemorrhage. Intracranial hemorrhage has almost always been associated with hypertension.[Ref]
Psychiatric
Psychotic reactions to phenylpropanolamine have occurred in patients receiving normally recommended doses and in cases of abuse. In a few patients phenylpropanolamine appears to have exacerbated an underlying bipolar disorder which was previously undiagnosed.
A psychotic episode consisting of abnormal behavior was reported in a young woman following a week of therapy with Naldecon (phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, chlorpheniramine, and phenyltoloxamine) and amantadine. The patient had no personal or family history of psychiatric illness and no history of recreational substance use. It is uncertain whether the episode was due to the amantadine, the phenylpropanolamine or another component in the Naldecon, or an interaction between the drugs.[Ref]
Psychiatric reactions to phenylpropanolamine occur infrequently but include acute mania, anxiety, paranoia, confusion, agitation, and hallucinations. These reactions may be more common in women.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal complaints most commonly reported with phenylpropanolamine are anorexia and gastric irritation. Nausea and vomiting have occurred in conjunction with hypertensive episodes. Guaifenesin may cause gastrointestinal upset and vomiting, most often with higher than recommended doses.[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity reactions to phenylpropanolamine may occur.[Ref]
Renal
Rarely, phenylpropanolamine may cause acute interstitial nephritis.[Ref]
Dermatologic
Rash may rarely occur in patients taking guaifenesin.[Ref]
More about Exgest LA (guaifenesin / phenylpropanolamine)
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- Drug images
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: upper respiratory combinations
Related treatment guides
References
1. Lake CR, Gallant S, Masson E, Miller P "Adverse drug effects attributed to phenylpropanolamine: a review of 142 case reports." Am J Med 89 (1990): 195-208
2. Lake CR, Zaloga G, Bray J, Rosenberg D, Chernow B "Transient hypertension after two phenylpropanolamine diet aids and the effects of caffeine: a placebo-controlled follow-up study." Am J Med 86 (1989): 427-32
3. Lake CR, Zaloga G, Clymer R, Quirk RM, Chernow B "A double dose of phenylpropanolamine causes transient hypertension." Am J Med 85 (1988): 339-43
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6. Pentel PR, Mikell FL, Zavoral JH "Myocardial injury after phenylpropanolamine ingestion." Br Heart J 47 (1982): 51-4
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8. Horowitz JD, Lang WJ, Howes LG, Fennessy MR, Christophidis N, Rand MJ, Louis WJ "Hypertensive responses induced by phenylpropanolamine in anorectic and decongestant preparations." Lancet 1 (1980): 60-1
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12. Noble R "A controlled clinical trial of the cardiovascular and psychological effects of phenylpropanolamine and caffeine." Drug Intell Clin Pharm 22 (1988): 296-9
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21. Schaffer CB, Pauli MW "Psychotic reaction caused by proprietary oral diet agents." Am J Psychiatry 137 (1980): 1256-7
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25. Johnson DA, Etter HS, Reeves DM "Stroke and phenylpropanolamine use" Lancet 2 (1983): 970
26. Elliott CF, Whyte JC "Phenylpropanolamine and hypertension." Med J Aust 1 (1981): 715
27. Maher LM, Peterson PL, Dela-Cruz C "Postpartum intracranial hemorrhage and phenylpropanolamine use" Neurology 37 (1987): 1686
28. Kase CS, Foster TE, Reed JE, Spatz EL, Girgis GN "Intracerebral hemorrhage and phenylpropanolamine use." Neurology 37 (1987): 399-404
29. Kikta DG, Devereaux MW, Chandar K "Intracranial hemorrhages due to phenylpropanolamine." Stroke 16 (1985): 510-2
30. Lake CR, Tenglin R, Chernow B, Holloway HC "Psychomotor stimulant-induced mania in a genetically predisposed patient: a review of the literature and report of a case." J Clin Psychopharmacol 3 (1983): 97-100
31. Stroe AE, Hall J, Amin F "Psychotic episode related to phenylpropanolamine and amantadine in a healthy female." Gen Hosp Psychiatry 17 (1995): 457-8
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33. Speer F, Carrasco LC, Kimura CC "Allergy to phenylpropanolamine." Ann Allergy 40 (1978): 32-4
34. Singer DR, Simpson JG, Catto GR, Johnston AW "Drug hypersensitivity causing granulomatous interstitial nephritis." Am J Kidney Dis 11 (1988): 357-9
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Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.
