Beecham Flu Plus & beta-blockers. Who not?

Hi all!

Who can tell me why it is not advicable to take flu medication like
Beechams Flu Plus (
http://www.mypharmacy.co.uk/medicine...us_caplets.htm
) in combination with beta-blockers?

Regards,
Evert

Phenylephrine in Beechams is closely related to Adrenaline and it is
this that causes the problems with beta blockers. The definitive UK
reference states:

"Effects on blood pressure and heart rate:

The hypertensive effects of adrenaline (epinephrine) can be markedly
increased in patients taking non-selective beta-blockers such as
propranolol. A severe and potentially life-threatening hypertensive
reaction and/or marked bradycardia can develop. Cardioselective
beta-blockers such as atenolol and metoprolol interact minimally."

So although the risk of episodes of high blood pressure are reduced
when a patient takes cardio-selective (heart specific) betablockers
like atenolol or metoprolol, the risk is still there and the
manufacturers are covering themselves by saying avoid taking Beechams
with any betablockers.

Nigel

On Mon, 30 Jan 2006 20:27:26 +0100, Evert <evert@poboxes.info> wrote:

>Hi all!
>
>Who can tell me why it is not advicable to take flu medication like
>Beechams Flu Plus (
>http://www.mypharmacy.co.uk/medicine...us_caplets.htm
>) in combination with beta-blockers?
>
>Regards,
> Evert

Thank you for this swift and complete reply! :-)

Regards,
Evert

Nigel Simmons wrote:
> Phenylephrine in Beechams is closely related to Adrenaline and it is
> this that causes the problems with beta blockers. The definitive UK
> reference states:
>
> "Effects on blood pressure and heart rate:
>
> The hypertensive effects of adrenaline (epinephrine) can be markedly
> increased in patients taking non-selective beta-blockers such as
> propranolol. A severe and potentially life-threatening hypertensive
> reaction and/or marked bradycardia can develop. Cardioselective
> beta-blockers such as atenolol and metoprolol interact minimally."
>
>
> So although the risk of episodes of high blood pressure are reduced
> when a patient takes cardio-selective (heart specific) betablockers
> like atenolol or metoprolol, the risk is still there and the
> manufacturers are covering themselves by saying avoid taking Beechams
> with any betablockers.
>
>
> Nigel
>
>
>
> On Mon, 30 Jan 2006 20:27:26 +0100, Evert <evert@poboxes.info> wrote:
>
>> Hi all!
>>
>> Who can tell me why it is not advicable to take flu medication like
>> Beechams Flu Plus (
>> http://www.mypharmacy.co.uk/medicine...us_caplets.htm
>> ) in combination with beta-blockers?
>>
>> Regards,
>> Evert

	#1
Evert	Beecham Flu Plus & beta-blockers. Who not? Hi all! Who can tell me why it is not advicable to take flu medication like Beechams Flu Plus ( http://www.mypharmacy.co.uk/medicine...us_caplets.htm ) in combination with beta-blockers? Regards, Evert

	#2
Nigel Simmons	Re: Beecham Flu Plus & beta-blockers. Who not? Phenylephrine in Beechams is closely related to Adrenaline and it is this that causes the problems with beta blockers. The definitive UK reference states: "Effects on blood pressure and heart rate: The hypertensive effects of adrenaline (epinephrine) can be markedly increased in patients taking non-selective beta-blockers such as propranolol. A severe and potentially life-threatening hypertensive reaction and/or marked bradycardia can develop. Cardioselective beta-blockers such as atenolol and metoprolol interact minimally." So although the risk of episodes of high blood pressure are reduced when a patient takes cardio-selective (heart specific) betablockers like atenolol or metoprolol, the risk is still there and the manufacturers are covering themselves by saying avoid taking Beechams with any betablockers. Nigel On Mon, 30 Jan 2006 20:27:26 +0100, Evert <evert@poboxes.info> wrote: >Hi all! > >Who can tell me why it is not advicable to take flu medication like >Beechams Flu Plus ( >http://www.mypharmacy.co.uk/medicine...us_caplets.htm >) in combination with beta-blockers? > >Regards, > Evert