Q-Tapp

Q-Tapp is an antihistamine and decongestant drug, used to treat symptoms of allergies, flu, and cold. It is a drug combination of brompheneramine and pseudoephedrine.

Brompheneramine is an antihistamine. It relieves allergic reactions such as itching, runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes by decreasing the action of histamine in the body.

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant. It constricts the dilated blood vessels in the nose to relieve stuffy/ congested nose.

Instructions:

Read your medication guide and follow your doctor’s prescription at all times.

• Take Q-Tapp orally/ by mouth before or after meals for not more than 7 consecutive days per doctor’s prescription. Take it with food if you experienced stomach upset.
• The dosage depends on your medical condition or treatment response. Do not adjust your dose without your doctor’s recommendation.
• Do not break, chew or crush sustained- release tablet/ capsule form of Q- Tapp to prevent releasing the content of this medication all at once, which may intensify side effects. Otherwise, chew it well before swallowing if you are using the chewable preparation.
• Use a standard medicine cup/ spoon (not household spoon) to obtain the accurate amount for each dose if you are using the liquid preparation of this medication. Shake the medication bottle well before use if you are taking the liquid suspension.
• Increase your intake of water while on this medication.
• Avoid alcohol intake and activities that require mental alertness (i.e. driving, operating machinery) because this medication can cause dizziness.
• Do not take MAO inhibitor drugs 2 weeks before, during and 2 weeks after Q- Tapp treatment.
• Continue taking this medication on a regular schedule (same time of the day). Do not stop taking this medication abruptly without consulting your doctor.
• Improper intake of this medication may cause serious side effects (i.e. hallucination, seizure, death).

Inform your doctor immediately if your condition aggravates or does not improve in 7 days.

Do not use this to treat flu or cold symptoms in children below 4 years old depending on the age limit indicated on the product label.

Take your missed dose as soon as possible. However, make sure that the time interval between the missed and the next dose is not too close. Otherwise, stick with the regular schedule and leave out the missed dose. Do not double dose to cover up a missed dose. Record your missed dose and inform your doctor immediately if you missed several doses.

Interactions:

Q-Tapp may interact with:

• Topical/ skin antihistamine (i.e. diphenhydramine cream, spray or ointment)
• Antihypertensive drugs or high blood pressure medications (i.e. reserpine, guanethidine, methyldopa, atenolol, nifedipine)
• MAO inhibitor drugs (i.e. isocarboxazid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, tranylcypromine)
• Sleeping pills or anti- anxiety medications (i.e. alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem)
• Muscle relaxants
• Narcotic pain relievers (i.e. codeine)
• Another cough-and-cold products and
• Diet aids

Some drugs may either lessen the beneficial effects or worsen the side effects of Q- Tapp. Likewise, Q- Tapp may make some drugs less efficient or intensify their side effects.

Make sure to inform your doctor about all other drugs you are currently taking or using (prescribed and non-prescribed medications including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products) to check for possible drug interaction with Q- Tapp.

Never alter the doses of other medications while on Q- Tapp neither stop nor start any medicine without the doctor’s recommendation.

Side Effects:

There are no side effects known aside from a possible allergic reaction in people who have previous or unknown hypersensitivity to the drug.

Watch out for signs of allergic reactions such as:

• Rash
• Itching
• Swelling

Warnings:

Before taking Q-Tapp, tell your health care provider if you have/are:

• Any allergies to any substance, food or medication, particularly to brompheneramine and pseudoephedrine (Q-Tapp)
• Medical history or a present condition such as:

        o Breathing disorder (i.e. asthma, emphysema)

        o Diabetes

        o Glaucoma

        o Heart disease

        o High blood pressure or hypertension

        o Kidney or liver disease

         o Seizures

         o Stomach or intestinal disorder (i.e. ulcer, obstruction)

         o Hyperthyroidism or abnormally increased thyroid activity

         o Difficulty urinating related to prostate enlargement

         o Alcohol dependence and

         o Phenylketonuria (PKU)

• Pregnant, planning to get pregnant or currently breastfeeding a baby (It is not known if Q- Tapp can harm the unborn child but this medication can pass through breast milk that may harm the nursing child. The risks and benefits of using this medication during pregnancy must be discussed well with your doctor.)