Stahist Ad 25-60mg Tablets
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To use this medication correctly, follow your doctor's instructions and read all the information provided. You can take this medication with or without food. If it causes stomach upset, taking it with food may help.
Storing and Disposing of Your Medication
Store your medication at room temperature in a dry location, avoiding the bathroom. Keep all medications in a safe place, out of the reach of children and pets. When disposing of unused or expired medication, do not flush it down the toilet or pour it down the drain unless instructed to do so. Instead, consult your pharmacist for guidance on the best disposal method. You may also have access to local drug take-back programs.
Missing a Dose
If you take this medication regularly and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it's close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time or take extra doses. If you take this medication as needed, follow your doctor's instructions and do not take it more frequently than recommended.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Take with food or milk if stomach upset occurs.
- Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you, as it can cause drowsiness or dizziness.
- Avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants (e.g., sedatives, tranquilizers) as they can increase drowsiness.
- Stay hydrated to help with dry mouth.
- Do not take more than the recommended dose or more frequently than prescribed.
- Inform your doctor or pharmacist about all other medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements, especially MAOIs, blood pressure medications, or other cold/allergy medicines.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Available Strengths:
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
Side Effects
While rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects when taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention:
Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of high blood pressure, including:
+ Severe headache
+ Dizziness
+ Passing out
+ Changes in eyesight
Chest pain or pressure
Fast heartbeat
Shakiness
Other Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. Although many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones, it's essential to discuss any concerns with your doctor. If you experience any of the following side effects or any other unusual symptoms that bother you or persist, contact your doctor for guidance:
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Feeling nervous and excitable
* Trouble sleeping
Reporting Side Effects
This list is not exhaustive, and you may experience other side effects not mentioned here. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, consult your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Severe dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- Significant increase in blood pressure
- Difficulty urinating or painful urination
- Severe nervousness, restlessness, or tremors
- Hallucinations or confusion
- Severe allergic reaction (rash, itching/swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing)
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the allergic reaction you experienced, including any symptoms that occurred.
If you have taken certain medications for depression or Parkinson's disease within the last 14 days, including isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline, or rasagiline, as this may increase the risk of very high blood pressure.
If you are currently taking linezolid or methylene blue, as these medications can interact with this drug.
Additionally, it is crucial to provide your doctor and pharmacist with a comprehensive list of all your medications, including:
Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications
Natural products
Vitamins
You should also inform them about any existing health problems. This information will help your doctor determine whether it is safe for you to take this medication with your other medications and health conditions. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without first consulting your doctor to ensure your safety.
Precautions & Cautions
Until you are aware of how this medication affects you, exercise caution when engaging in activities that require alertness, such as driving, to ensure your safety. Additionally, refrain from consuming alcohol while taking this drug, as it may interact with the medication.
Before using marijuana, other cannabis products, or any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications that may cause drowsiness or impair your reactions, consult with your doctor to discuss potential risks and interactions.
When administering this medication to children, use caution, as they may be at a higher risk of experiencing excitability. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, inform your doctor, as they will need to discuss the potential benefits and risks of this medication to both you and your baby.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Severe drowsiness or sedation
- Excitement, restlessness, or hallucinations (especially in children)
- Seizures
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- High blood pressure followed by low blood pressure
- Dilated pupils
- Dry mouth and skin
- Urinary retention
- Coma
What to Do:
Seek immediate medical attention or call a poison control center. In the US, call 1-800-222-1222. Be prepared to provide the drug name, dose, and time of ingestion.
Drug Interactions
Contraindicated Interactions
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) (concurrent use or within 14 days of MAOI discontinuation) - risk of hypertensive crisis.
- Other sympathomimetics (e.g., other decongestants, appetite suppressants, amphetamines) - risk of additive cardiovascular and CNS stimulant effects.
Major Interactions
- CNS Depressants (e.g., alcohol, sedatives, hypnotics, opioids, anxiolytics) - increased sedation and CNS depression.
- Antihypertensives (e.g., beta-blockers, methyldopa, reserpine, guanethidine) - pseudoephedrine may reduce their hypotensive effects.
- Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) - may potentiate cardiovascular effects of pseudoephedrine.
- Digitalis glycosides - increased risk of ectopic pacemaker activity.
- Ergot alkaloids (e.g., ergotamine, dihydroergotamine) - increased risk of vasoconstriction.
Moderate Interactions
- Anticholinergics (e.g., atropine, certain antipsychotics, TCAs) - additive anticholinergic effects (e.g., dry mouth, urinary retention, blurred vision).
- Urinary acidifiers (e.g., ammonium chloride, ascorbic acid) - may increase pseudoephedrine excretion, reducing its efficacy.
- Urinary alkalinizers (e.g., sodium bicarbonate, acetazolamide) - may decrease pseudoephedrine excretion, increasing its effects.
Minor Interactions
- None commonly cited as minor for this combination.
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: To identify contraindications or conditions requiring caution due to pseudoephedrine and anticholinergic effects.
Timing: Prior to initiation
Rationale: To identify potential drug interactions, especially with MAOIs, other sympathomimetics, and CNS depressants.
Timing: Prior to initiation
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Daily, as needed
Target: Improved symptoms without excessive side effects
Action Threshold: Lack of efficacy or worsening symptoms may indicate need for alternative therapy or re-evaluation.
Frequency: As clinically indicated, especially in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions or those reporting palpitations/nervousness.
Target: Within patient's normal range
Action Threshold: Significant increase (e.g., >20 mmHg systolic, >10 mmHg diastolic) or sustained tachycardia warrants discontinuation and medical evaluation.
Frequency: Daily, as needed
Target: Minimal to no impairment of daily activities
Action Threshold: Excessive sedation, agitation, or insomnia warrants dose reduction or discontinuation.
Frequency: Daily, as needed
Target: Tolerable or absent
Action Threshold: Severe or bothersome symptoms, especially urinary retention, require discontinuation and medical attention.
Symptom Monitoring
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Nervousness
- Insomnia
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Urinary retention
- Palpitations
- Increased blood pressure
- Headache
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Category C. Use only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Pseudoephedrine has been associated with gastroschisis in some studies, particularly in the first trimester, though data are conflicting. Chlorcyclizine data in pregnancy are limited.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
Not recommended. Both chlorcyclizine and pseudoephedrine are excreted into breast milk. Chlorcyclizine, a first-generation antihistamine, can cause drowsiness, irritability, or other adverse effects in the infant and may decrease milk supply. Pseudoephedrine can also decrease milk supply, especially in mothers with established lactation.
Pediatric Use
Generally not recommended for children under 12 years of age due to the risk of serious adverse effects, including CNS stimulation, seizures, and cardiovascular events, particularly with pseudoephedrine. First-generation antihistamines like chlorcyclizine can cause paradoxical excitation or profound sedation in young children. Always consult a pediatrician for appropriate dosing and alternatives for children.
Geriatric Use
Use with extreme caution. Elderly patients are more susceptible to the anticholinergic effects (e.g., urinary retention, constipation, confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision) and sympathomimetic effects (e.g., hypertension, tachycardia, nervousness, insomnia) of this combination. Start with the lowest effective dose and monitor closely for adverse effects. Avoid in patients with prostatic hypertrophy, glaucoma, or significant cardiovascular disease.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- This combination is effective for allergic rhinitis with significant nasal congestion.
- Warn patients about potential for drowsiness and advise against driving or operating machinery.
- Counsel patients to avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants.
- Carefully screen for contraindications, especially MAOI use, severe hypertension, and narrow-angle glaucoma.
- Advise patients with prostatic hypertrophy about the risk of urinary retention.
- Pseudoephedrine is a List I chemical and is subject to federal and state regulations regarding sales limits and record-keeping.
- Consider single-agent therapy (e.g., non-sedating antihistamine or nasal steroid) if only one symptom predominates or if side effects are intolerable.
Alternative Therapies
- Nasal corticosteroids (e.g., fluticasone, mometasone) for allergic rhinitis
- Second-generation antihistamines (e.g., loratadine, cetirizine, fexofenadine) for allergy symptoms without sedation
- Topical decongestants (e.g., oxymetazoline, phenylephrine nasal spray) for nasal congestion (short-term use only)
- Oral phenylephrine (less effective than pseudoephedrine)
- Saline nasal sprays/washes