aspirin and pseudoephedrine

(AH spih rin and soo doe e FEH drin)
Ursinus

What is the most important information I should know about aspirin and pseudoephedrine?

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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Aspirin and pseudoephedrine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

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Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking aspirin and pseudoephedrine. Also, alcohol can cause stomach bleeding when it is combined with any medicine that contains aspirin.

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Do not take more of this medication than directed. Consult your doctor if you symptoms are not being relieved.

What is aspirin and pseudoephedrine?

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Aspirin is in a class of drugs called salicylates. Aspirin is a pain reliever, an anti-inflammatory, and a fever reducer. It is used to treat many conditions, such as headache, muscle aches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds, and fevers.

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Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant. It constricts (shrinks) blood vessels (veins and arteries). This reduces blood flow to affected areas allows nasal passages to open up.

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The combination, aspirin and pseudoephedrine, is used to treat nasal congestion, headache, fever, and other symptoms associated with allergies, hay fever, and the common cold.

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Aspirin and pseudoephedrine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take aspirin and pseudoephedrine?

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Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day. Alcohol can cause stomach bleeding when it is combined with any medicine that contains aspirin.

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Do not take aspirin and pseudoephedrine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

a stomach ulcer,

a bleeding or blood clotting disorder,

kidney disease,

liver disease,

diabetes,

glaucoma,

heart disease or high blood pressure,

thyroid disease, or

difficulty urinating or an enlarged prostate.

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You may not be able to take aspirin and pseudoephedrine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

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It is not known whether aspirin and pseudoephedrine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

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Aspirin and pseudoephedrine passes into breast milk and can harm a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from aspirin and pseudoephedrine. You may require a lower dose of this medication.

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Consult your doctor or pharmacist before treating a child with this medication. Children are more susceptible than adults to the effects of medicines and may have unusual reactions. Also, do not use any medication that contains aspirin to treat a child or teenager who has a fever, flu symptoms, or chicken pox without first talking to a doctor. In children younger than 20 years of age, aspirin may increase the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but often fatal condition.

How should I take aspirin and pseudoephedrine?

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Take aspirin and pseudoephedrine exactly as directed. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

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Take each dose with a full glass of water.

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Take aspirin and pseudoephedrine with food or milk if it causes stomach upset.

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Do not take aspirin and pseudoephedrine more often than every 4 hours and do not take more than is recommended.

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Do not take aspirin and pseudoephedrine for longer than 7 days in a row. If your symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you have a fever, see your doctor.

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Store aspirin and pseudoephedrine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

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Seek emergency medical attention.

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Symptoms of an aspirin and pseudoephedrine overdose include tiredness, sedation, coma, sweating, ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, hallucinations, seizures, rapid breathing, fever, a slow heart beat, and a weak pulse.

What should I avoid while taking aspirin and pseudoephedrine?

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Aspirin and pseudoephedrine may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, other antihistamines, pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur if aspirin and pseudoephedrine is taken with any of these medications.

What are the possible side effects of aspirin and pseudoephedrine?

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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking aspirin and pseudoephedrine and seek emergency medical attention:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

black, bloody, or tarry stools;

blood in vomit or urine;

nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain;

uncontrolled fever;

seizures;

an irregular heartbeat; or

abnormal behavior, hallucinations, or paranoia.

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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take aspirin and pseudoephedrine and talk to your doctor, or try another similar medication if you experience

heartburn or indigestion;

restlessness, tremor, insomnia, or anxiety;

headache, lightheadedness, dizziness, or weakness;

faint ringing in the ears; or

sweating.

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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect aspirin and pseudoephedrine?

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Do not take other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, diet, pain, or sleep medications while taking aspirin and pseudoephedrine without first talking to your pharmacist or doctor. Other medications may also contain aspirin, pseudoephedrine, or other similar drugs, and you may accidentally take too much of these medicines.

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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with aspirin and pseudoephedrine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

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Your pharmacist has additional information about aspirin and pseudoephedrine written for health professionals that you may read.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.