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Norgesic

Side Effects & Drug Interactions
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SIDE EFFECTS

Side effects of Norgesic or Norgesic Forte are those seen with aspirin and caffeine or those usually associated with mild anticholinergic agents. These may include tachycardia, palpitation, urinary hesitancy or retention, dry mouth, blurred vision, dilatation of the pupil, increased intraocular tension, weakness, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, constipation, drowsiness, and rarely, urticaria and other dermatoses. Infrequently, an elderly patient may experience some degree of confusion. Mild central excitation and occasional hallucinations may be observed. These mild side effects can usually be eliminated by reduction in dosage. One case of aplastic anemia associated with the use of Norgesic has been reported. No causal relationship has been established. Rare G.I. hemorrhage due to aspirin content may be associated with the administration of Norgesic or Norgesic Forte. Some patients may experience transient episodes of light-headedness, dizziness or syncope.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking orphenadrine and aspirin combination, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

  • Anticoagulants (blood thinners) or
  • Carbenicillin by injection (e.g., Geopen) or
  • Cefamandole (e.g., Mandol) or
  • Cefoperazone (e.g., Cefobid) or
  • Cefotetan (e.g., Cefotan) or
  • Dipyridamole (e.g., Persantine) or
  • Divalproex (e.g., Depakote) or
  • Heparin or
  • Medicine for inflammation or pain, except narcotics, or
  • Moxalactam (e.g., Moxam) or
  • Pentoxifylline (e.g., Trental) or
  • Plicamycin (e.g., Mithracin) or
  • Ticarcillin (e.g., Ticar) or
  • Valproic acid (e.g., Depakene)-Taking these medicines together with aspirin may increase the chance of bleeding
  • Anticholinergics (medicine for abdominal or stomach spasms or cramps) or
  • Central nervous system (CNS) depressants or
  • Methotrexate (e.g., Mexate) or
  • Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline [e.g., Elavil], amoxapine [e.g., Asendin], clomipramine [e.g., Anafranil], desipramine [e.g., Pertofrane], doxepin [e.g., Sinequan], imipramine [e.g., Tofranil], nortriptyline [e.g., Aventyl], protriptyline [e.g., Vivactil], trimipramine [e.g., Surmontil]) or
  • Vancomycin (e.g., Vancocin)-The chance of side effects may be increased
  • Antidiabetics, oral (diabetes medicine you take by mouth)-Aspirin may increase the effects of the antidiabetic medicine; a change in dose may be needed if aspirin is taken regularly
  • Probenecid (e.g., Benemid) or
  • Sulfinpyrazone (e.g., Anturane)-Aspirin can keep these medicines from working properly for treating gout; also, taking aspirin together with sulfinpyrazone may increase the chance of bleeding
  • Urinary alkalizers (medicine that makes the urine less acid, such as acetazolamide [e.g., Diamox], dichlorphenamide [e.g., Daranide], methazolamide [e.g., Neptazane], potassium or sodium citrate and/or citric acid)-These medicines may make aspirin less effective by causing it to be removed from the body more quickly
  • Zidovudine (e.g., AZT; Retrovir)-Aspirin may increase the blood levels of zidovudine, which increases the chance of serious side effects
Brand Name: Norgesic
Generic Name: Orphenadrine Citrate with Aspirin and Caffeine

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