Pronunciation: bell-a-DON-a AL-ka-loids/klor-fen-EER-a-meen/sue-do-eh-FED-rin
Generic Name: Belladonna Alkaloids/Chlorpheniramine/PseudoephedrineBrand Name: Examples include Respa-AR and Ru-Tuss
Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets are used for:
Relieving congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes due to colds, flu, or hay fever. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets are an antihistamine, decongestant, and anticholinergic combination. It works by blocking histamine, a substance in the body that causes sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. It also relieves nasal congestion by shrinking the nasal mucous membranes, which promotes nasal drainage, and dries the chest by decreasing lung secretions.
Do NOT use Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets
- you are pregnant or breast-feeding
- you take sodium oxybate (GHB) or you have taken furazolidone or a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days
- you have severe heart blood vessel disease, severe high blood pressure, narrow-angle glaucoma, severe bleeding, severe irritation of the esophagus or other serious problems with the esophagus (eg, esophageal achalasia), peptic ulcer, a blockage of your stomach or bowel, bowel motility problems, severe bowel inflammation (eg, ulcerative colitis), certain muscle problems (eg, myasthenia gravis), or uncontrolled bleeding
- you are unable to urinate or are having an asthma attack
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets:
Some medical conditions may interact with Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are planning to become pregnant
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of diabetes, an enlarged prostate, bladder or kidney problems, high blood pressure, diarrhea, asthma, nerve problems, heart problems, blood clots, a hiatal hernia, an adrenal gland tumor, glaucoma, breathing problems during sleep, seizures, myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), or an overactive thyroid
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Alpha-blockers (eg, prazosin, guanethidine, methyldopa), beta-blockers (eg, atenolol), diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), furazolidone, MAO inhibitors (eg, phenelzine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline)
- Alkalizers (eg, calcium or magnesium antacids), anticholinergics (eg, atropine, benztropine, dicyclomine), carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (eg, acetazolamide), ergotamine, or sodium bicarbonate because the side effects of Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets may be increased
- Bromocriptine, catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors (eg, entacapone), certain stimulants (eg, doxapram, pseudoephedrine), cocaine, digoxin, droxidopa, potassium chloride, or sodium oxybate (GHB) because side effects may be increased by Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets
- Guanadrel, guanethidine, mecamylamine, methyldopa, or reserpine because effectiveness may be decreased by Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets:
Use Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets may be taken with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
- Do not take Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets at the same time as an antacid, certain medicines for diarrhea (eg, kaolin, pectin, attapulgite, bismuth), or ketoconazole. Take these medicines 2 or 3 hours before or after taking Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets.
- Swallow whole. Do not crush or chew before swallowing. Some brands of Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets may be broken in half before they are taken. If you have difficulty swallowing the whole tablet, ask your pharmacist if your brand may be broken in half.
- If you miss a dose of Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets and you are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets.
Important safety information:
- Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets. Using Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
- If your symptoms do not improve within 7 days or if you develop a high fever or persistent headache, check with your doctor.
- Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets may cause dry mouth. To relieve dry mouth, suck on sugarless hard candy or ice chips, chew sugarless gum, drink water, or use a saliva substitute.
- Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets may cause your eyes to become sensitive to sunlight. Wearing sunglasses may help.
- Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets may reduce sweating. Do not become overheated in hot weather or during exercise or other activities; heatstroke may occur.
- Do not take diet or appetite control medicines while you are taking Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets without checking with your doctor.
- Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets contains pseudoephedrine. Before you begin taking any new prescription or nonprescription medicine, read the ingredients to see if it also contains pseudoephedrine. If it does or if you are uncertain, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
- If you have trouble sleeping, ask your doctor or pharmacist about the best time of the day to take Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets.
- Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets may interfere with certain lab test results. Be sure your doctors and lab personnel know that you are taking Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets.
- Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets.
- Diabetes patients - Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Caution is advised when using Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Caution is advised when using Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets in CHILDREN because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is unknown if Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant while taking Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets during pregnancy. Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets are excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets.
Possible side effects of Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth, nose, or throat; excitability; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness or anxiety; trouble sleeping; upset stomach; vomiting; weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); difficulty urinating or inability to urinate; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; mental or mood changes; seizures; severe dizziness, lightheadedness, or headache; tremor; vision changes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Respa-AR side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include deep sleep or loss of consciousness; hot or cool skin; irregular heartbeat; irritability, anxiety, or panic; large pupils; numbness or tingling in the arms or legs; seizures; slowed or shallow breathing.
Proper storage of Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets:Store Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Respa-AR Sustained-Release Tablets. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Issue Date: February 1, 2012
Database Edition 12.1.1.002
Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
More Respa-AR resources
- Respa-AR Side Effects (in more detail)
- Respa-AR Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Respa-AR Drug Interactions
- Respa-AR Support Group
- 6 Reviews for Respa-AR - Add your own review/rating
Compare Respa-AR with other medications
