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Post by mskris on Nov 19, 2003 15:13:22 GMT -5
Most products were reformulated. Pseudophed (pseudophedrine hydrochloride) is fine. Check the labels of your products. If PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE is listed, get rid of the stuff.
Kris
PS - Controlled clinical testing does not necessarily mean all situations were studied. The FDA approves drugs based on clinical testing. What happens once it's out there and in general use is a whole different story. Ongoing monitoring for safety continues after a product is marketed, which is why you have recalls/changes after approval. Some situations just can't be foreseen or recreated in the studies.
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Post by dansmommy on Nov 19, 2003 18:13:42 GMT -5
Well I think Ms. Kris is a pharmacist so I should let her comment be the final word on this, but am I going to? No! I seem to remember the 18 to 49 year-old women who had brain bleeds as a result of taking phenylpropanolamine in high dosages for weight loss purposes. This isn't to be sneezed at -- when I was young, one of my fellow LPN students (a 25 year-old man) died as a result of taking double the recommended amount of an over-the-counter diet pill, along with alcohol. However, I don't think it's the same condition as accidentally giving the appropriate amount of old medication to a child who has a cold. Don't give it to your kid, but don't panic either. christie
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Post by mskris on Nov 20, 2003 13:38:20 GMT -5
Dansmommy - I'm NOT a pharmacist, but I work in the pharmaceutical industry. Of course, taking an over the counter (OTC) medication improperly (with alcohol or more than the recommended dosage) may cause problems unforeseen in clinical testing. As for the idea of giving old medication to a child, I agree, it's probably not that serious. That said, however, many products (prescription and otherwise) are not tested in children and the dosages are estimated from tests in adults. Regardless of that, I recall hearing a physician say he would NEVER administer phenylpropanolamine to a child of his or under his care. Best to discard any old medications and purchase new ones.
In addition, all medications have expiration dates somewhere on the label. Although outdated medications may not do harm, they probably aren't fully effective either. Why take the chance?
Kris
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