Hi all!

Who can tell me why it is not advicable to take flu medication like 
Beechams Flu Plus ( 
http://www.mypharmacy.co.uk/medicines/medicines/b/beechams/beechams_flu_plus_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  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/medicines/medicines/b/beechams/beechams_flu_plus_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  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/medicines/medicines/b/beechams/beechams_flu_plus_caplets.htm 
>> ) in combination with beta-blockers?
>>
>> Regards,
>>   Evert

This is because most flu preparation contain pseudoephedrine which is a 
sympathomimetic, and act in the opposite way to beta blockers

Basically beta blockers are often used to treat high blood pressure (other 
things as well) and it is not a good idea to take pseudoephedrine when you 
have hypertension because it can raise your blood pressure.

This is an ideal question for a new forum for pharmacy.  It is open to 
everyone.  Why not post it there, and get professional advice?

Elaine

www.pharmacy-forum.co.uk
The UK Forum for all things Pharmacy


"Evert"  wrote in message 
news:cu52b3-13o.ln1@poboxes.info...
> Hi all!
>
> Who can tell me why it is not advicable to take flu medication like 
> Beechams Flu Plus ( 
> http://www.mypharmacy.co.uk/medicines/medicines/b/beechams/beechams_flu_plus_caplets.htm ) 
> in combination with beta-blockers?
>
> Regards,
>   Evert