| Over-the-counter sympathomimetics: a risk factor for cardiac arrhythmias in pregnancy. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 9853729 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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More than 170 over-the-counter (OTC) preparations contain a sympathomimetic agent as the active ingredient. Nonprescription medicines are consumed commonly in our society. Phenylpropanolamine, an alpha-adrenergic agonist as well as a popular decongestant, is consumed at a massive volume of 5 billion doses annually. Over-the-counter sympathomimetics have been reported to cause hypertension and arrhythmias. Despite the ability to cause these potentially serious adverse effects and the high-volume consumption of these agents, the medical literature until recently has been scant in reporting adverse events. We report symptomatic ventricular arrhythmia and presyncope in a 36-year-old pregnant woman who consumed relatively high doses of two OTC cold remedies simultaneously. Increased physician awareness of the potential side effects associated with OTC sympathomimetics as well as improved level of patient education are needed. Finally, we support the calls for more prominent warning labels on some selected OTC preparations, including OTC sympathomimetics. |
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Authors:
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M Onuigbo; M Alikhan |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Case Reports; Journal Article; Review |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Southern medical journal Volume: 91 ISSN: 0038-4348 ISO Abbreviation: South. Med. J. Publication Date: 1998 Dec |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 1998-12-23 Completed Date: 1998-12-23 Revised Date: 2008-11-21 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0404522 Medline TA: South Med J Country: UNITED STATES |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 1153-5 Citation Subset: AIM; IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Internal Medicine, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, MD 21204, USA. |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
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adverse effects Adult Arrhythmias, Cardiac / chemically induced* Ephedrine / adverse effects Female Humans Nasal Decongestants / adverse effects Nonprescription Drugs / adverse effects* Phenylpropanolamine / adverse effects Pregnancy Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / chemically induced* Sympathomimetics / adverse effects* Syncope / chemically induced Ventricular Premature Complexes / chemically induced |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; 0/Nasal Decongestants; 0/Nonprescription Drugs; 0/Sympathomimetics; 14838-15-4/Phenylpropanolamine; 299-42-3/Ephedrine |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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