- « Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- Next »
Asthma: Over The Counter Treatment (cont.)
George Schiffman, MD, FCCP
Dr. Schiffman received his B.S. degree with High Honors in biology from Hobart College in 1976. He then moved to Chicago where he studied biochemistry at the University of Illinois, Chicago Circle. He attended Rush Medical College where he received his M.D. degree in 1982 and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He completed his Internal Medicine internship and residency at the University of California, Irvine.
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
In this Article
- What is asthma?
- What medications are used to treat asthma?
- How do over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for asthma work?
- What factors should be considered in choosing and using OTC epinephrine or ephedrine?
- What side effects and drug interactions are there with OTC asthma medicines?
- What are additional measures in the management of asthma?
- Find a local Asthma & Allergy Specialist in your town
What side effects and drug interactions are there with OTC asthma medicines?
Ephedrine poses a greater chance of causing adverse drug effects or drug interactions than epinephrine because it must be absorbed into the body to be effective. Nervousness, sleeplessness, anxiety, nausea, reduced appetite, rapid heart beat, tremors (the "shakes"), and urinary retention are the most common adverse effects. Immediate medical attention may be necessary for these side effects.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (phenelzine, isocarboxazid), clonidine, selegiline, guanethidine, and ergotamines (ergotamine tartrate, dihydroergotamine mesylate) may increase blood pressure when used at the same time as ephedrine. Methyldopa or reserpine may reduce ephedrine levels in the blood and thereby lessen the effectiveness of ephedrine. Tricyclic antidepressants (desipramine, amitriptyline, doxepin, and imipramine) may block the effect of ephedrine. The carbonic anydrase inhibitors acetazolamide and dichlorphenamide may raise ephedrine blood levels and increase the risk of side effects from ephedrine. Patients taking any medications should consult with their physician or pharmacist before starting OTC ephedrine.
Learn more about: acetazolamide
Since epinephrine is inhaled directly into the lungs and little is absorbed into other organs of the body, there is less risk for side effects. Epinephrine rarely causes rapid heartbeat, irregular heart rhythms, high blood pressure, tremor, or anxiety.
Since there are specific risks with epinephrine or ephedrine in certain medical conditions, physician advice and supervision should be sought before taking epinephrine or ephedrine if there is heart disease (coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, irregular heart rhythms), high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, or difficulty urinating due to enlargement of the prostate. In addition, patients should seek medical advice before taking ephedrine if they already are taking antidepressants.
- « Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- Next »
Patient Comments
Viewers share their comments
- •
- Submit »
- •
- Submit »
- •
- Submit »
http://www.medicinenet.com/asthma_over_the_counter_treatment/article.htm
Allergies & Asthma
Improve treatments & prevent attacks.
Updated & New
