Sympathomimetic amines should be used with considerable caution in patients with hypertension, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, glaucoma and prostatic hypertrophy -- as well as those receiving MAO inhibitors. Patients aged 60 and older are more likely to experience adverse reactions to sympathomimetics. Overdosage of sympathomimetics in this age group may cause hallucinations, convulsions, CNS depression, and death. Hyperreactive individuals may display ephedrine-like reactions such as tachycardia, palpitations, headache, dizziness or nausea. Sympathomimetics have been associated with certain untoward reactions including fear, anxiety, nervousness, restlessness, tremor, weakness, pallor, respiratory difficulty, dysuria, insomnia, hallucinations, convulsions, CNS depression, arrhythmias, and cardiovascular collapse with hypotension.

Considerable caution should be used with prescribing Extendryl JR and Extendryl SR to patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, hyperthyroidism, increased intraocular pressure, and prostatic hypertrophy. The elderly (60 years or older) are more likely to exhibit adverse reactions. Extendryl Chewable may cause drowsiness or blurred vision, so patients should be advised to exercise caution when engaging in activities requiring mental alertness, such as operating a motor vehicle or other machinery. All of these medications may cause excitability, especially in children. At dosages higher than what is recommended, nervousness, dizziness, or sleeplessness may occur.

Extendryl HC Tablets may be habit forming and can produce drug dependence of the morphine type and, therefore, has the potential for being abused. Psychic dependence, physical dependence and tolerance may develop upon repeated administration of Extendryl HC Tablets, so this medication should be prescribed and administered with the same degree of caution appropriate to the use of other opioid drugs.

Considerable caution should be used with prescribing Extendryl PSE to patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, hyperthyroidism, increased intraocular pressure, renal impairment, and prostatic hypertrophy. Sympathomimeticamines may produce central nervous system stimulation with convulsions or cardiovascular collapse with accompanying hypotension. The elderly are more likely to exhibit adverse reactions to sympathomimetic amines. Additionally, methscopolamine increases the risk of heat stroke and caffeine-containing beverages (coffee, tea and cola) may increase the restlessness and insomnia caused by pseudoephedrine in sensitive individuals.

Extendryl DM may cause excitability, particularly in children. It also may cause drowsiness, which is an effect that alcohol, sedatives and tranquilizers might increase. Patients should be instructed to avoid alcoholic beverages and to use caution when driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery. They should also be advised to consult a physician immediately if their cough persists for more than one week, tends to recur, or is accompanied by a high fever, rash or persistent headache.

Extendryl is marketed by Auriga Pharmaceuticals, an Auriga Laboratories Company. For more info on Auriga please visit www.aurigalabs.com.

Extendryl is a registered trademark of Fleming and Company Pharmaceuticals.