Phenoxybenzamine
About
Phenoxybenzamine belongs to a group of medicines called antihypertensives used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) caused by phaeochromocytoma (tumour of the adrenal glands). Hypertension is a condition in which the force of blood against the artery walls is very high. It will be an addition to the workload of the heart and arteries.
Phenoxybenzamine contains Phenoxybenzamine, an alpha-blocker that opposes certain hormones produced by the tumour of the adrenal gland that constricts and narrows blood vessels. Thereby, it relaxes and widens blood vessels and lowers high blood pressure.
Take Phenoxybenzamine as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Phenoxybenzamine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, blocked nose, diarrhoea, tiredness, narrowing of the pupil of the eye or ejaculation failure during intercourse. Most of these side effects of Phenoxybenzamine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Phenoxybenzamine or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Phenoxybenzamine is not recommended for children unless advised by a doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please consult a doctor. Avoid taking Phenoxybenzamine if you ever had a heart attack or stroke. You are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption with Phenoxybenzamine as it may increase the risk of dizziness or fainting. Drive only if you are alert as Phenoxybenzamine may cause dizziness or light-headedness.
Uses of Phenoxybenzamine
Medicinal Benefits
Phenoxybenzamine contains Phenoxybenzamine used to treat high blood pressure caused by phaeochromocytoma (tumour of the adrenal glands). Phenoxybenzamine opposes the action of certain hormones produced by the tumour of the adrenal gland that constricts and narrows blood vessels. Thereby, it relaxes and widens blood vessels and lowers high blood pressure.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Phenoxybenzamine
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Lightheadedness
- Blocked nose
- Diarrhea
- Tiredness
- Narrowing of the pupil of the eye
- Ejaculation failure during intercourse
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Phenoxybenzamine or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Phenoxybenzamine is not recommended for children unless advised by a doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please consult a doctor. Avoid taking Phenoxybenzamine if you ever had a heart attack or stroke. You are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption with Phenoxybenzamine as it may increase the risk of dizziness or fainting. Drive only if you are alert as Phenoxybenzamine may cause dizziness or light-headedness. If you take any medicines to treat heart problems or blood pressure, please inform your doctor before taking Phenoxybenzamine.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Phenoxybenzamine may interact with calcium channel blockers (amlodipine), beta-blockers (bisoprolol, atenolol) and Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (enalapril, captopril).
Drug-Food Interaction: Phenoxybenzamine may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid alcohol consumption with Phenoxybenzamine as it may increase dizziness or fainting.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Avoid taking Phenoxybenzamine if you have ever had a heart attack within the last month or stroke. If you have angina (chest pain), lung infection, heart or kidney problems, inform your doctor before taking Phenoxybenzamine.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Phenoxybenzamine as it may increase dizziness or fainting.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorPhenoxybenzamine is not recommended for pregnant women unless advised by the doctor. Therefore, if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, please inform your doctor before taking Phenoxybenzamine.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorPhenoxybenzamine is usually not recommended for breastfeeding mothers. Therefore, please inform your doctor if you are a breastfeeding mother before taking Phenoxybenzamine.
Driving
cautionPhenoxybenzamine may cause dizziness or light-headedness in some people. Therefore, avoid driving if you feel dizzy or lightheaded after taking Phenoxybenzamine.
Liver
cautionTake Phenoxybenzamine with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Phenoxybenzamine with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
cautionPhenoxybenzamine is usually not recommended for children. However, when needed the doctor may prescribe the dose calculated as per child's weight.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a low-salt diet and minimize eating processed foods as they contain more sodium. Try to replace salt with spices or herbs to add flavor to the food.
- Do regular exercise such as cycling, walking, jogging, dancing, or swimming for a minimum of 30 minutes per day.
- Chronic stress may also cause high blood pressure. Therefore, avoid stress by changing your expectations, react in certain situations, and do activities that you enjoy by making time for yourself.
- Maintain a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.
- Try to include heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acid-containing foods in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil which may help in lowering high blood pressure.
- Quit smoking and avoid the consumption of alcohol.
Special Advise
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly, and if you notice any fluctuations, please consult a doctor.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Blood pressure is the measurement of the heart's force to pump blood to all parts of the body. Hypertension is a chronic condition in which blood pressure is too high. This condition can lead to hardened arteries (blood vessels), decreasing the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. Raised blood pressure can cause chest pain (angina) and heart attack (when blood supply to the heart is blocked). Additionally, high blood pressure also causes brain damage (stroke) and kidney failure. High blood pressure can be diagnosed with the help of a blood pressure monitor or sphygmomanometer. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart pumps blood out. On the other hand, diastolic pressure is when your heart is at the resting stage between heartbeats. If your blood pressure is 140/90 mm of Hg, it means the systolic pressure is 140 mm of Hg and, diastolic pressure is 90 mm of Hg. Normal blood pressure lies in between 90/60 mm of Hg and 120/80 mm of Hg. If the blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or greater, it is considered high blood pressure.
FAQs
Phenoxybenzamine contains Phenoxybenzamine that works by opposing the action of certain hormones produced by the adrenal gland tumor that constricts and narrows blood vessels. Thereby, it relaxes and widens blood vessels and lowers high blood pressure.
You are not recommended to take Phenoxybenzamine with atenolol as it may increase side effects such as weakness, dizziness, fainting, headache, or irregular heartbeat. However, please consult a doctor before taking Phenoxybenzamine with other medicines.
Phenoxybenzamine should be used with caution in patients suffering from kidney problems as it may increase the risk of adverse effects. Therefore, if you have any kidney disease, inform your doctor before taking Phenoxybenzamine.
Phenoxybenzamine may cause dizziness in some patients. Therefore, it is advised to get up slowly from a sitting or lying position to avoid such side effects. Also, if you feel dizzy after taking Phenoxybenzamine, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery.
You are not recommended to stop taking Phenoxybenzamine without consulting your doctor even if you find symptomatic relief as it may worsen the condition. Therefore, take Phenoxybenzamine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, and if you experience any difficulty while using Phenoxybenzamine, please consult your doctor.
