hi all
At 07:54 2000/08/12 -0400, kathrynne wrote:
>Dear Corinne,
>Benedryl can bring about sedation and/or confusion, especially in the
>elderly; and can also cause rash.
>Best regards,
>Kathrynne
>
>CORINNE BOWMAKER wrote:
>>
>> I have a quick question. My Mom, the PWP, has come down with an allergic
>> reaction to Sulfa ear drops with a swollen, reddened side of the face and
>> ear, itching and discomfort. She went to Acute Care, where she was given
>> cortisone ear drops for the allergic reaction and an antibiotic without
>> Sulfa. I am wondering...is Benadryl contraindicated for someone taking
>> Sinemet? Thanks in advance for your help!
>>
>> Corinne
here is some info that i 'dug' up for you on
benadryl [generic diphenhydramine]
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Parkinsn's List Drug DataBase diphenhydramine/ Benadryl,Diphedryl
"http://www.parkinsons-information-exchange-network-online.com/drugdb/047.ht
ml"
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PD INDEX: A directory of Parkinson's disease information on the Internet
"http://www.pdindex.com/isc2d.htm"
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>>> Posting number 65072, dated 4 Aug 1999 07:22:40
From: Carole Hercun <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: OTC sleep aids
Just be careful that the OTC drug you are taking is an
antihistamine, like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) or
Chlortrimetron, and NOT an antihistamine-decogestant
product that contains ephedrine or pseudoephedrine,
which can cause a rapid heart rate:
http://www.betterhealth.com/heartwatch/dec98/nejm/0,4802,2133_124005,00.html
An easy to use site
re: drug info that I learned about in a "Cybermed"
seminar: http://www.rxlist.com/ More technical
info:http://pdr.net/
Carole H.
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>>> Posting number 67606, dated 14 Sep 1999 20:38:03
From: dominic marchese <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Muscle cramps/Benadryl
Mr. Adams:
Benadryl may alter the chemical balance in the brain between dopamine and
acetylcholine, thus increasing Parkinson symptoms. In Parkinson's, we
need to maintain a delicate balance between these two neurotransmitters
to offset Parkinson symptoms. As a class, Benadryl falls within the
category of drugs called anticholinergics. Currently, Artane and Cogentin
are the most commonly used anticholinergics for Parkinson's. Although
Benadryl does help some patients with muscle cramps, I recommend Parkinson
patients talk with their neurologist before they take Benadryl. Also, side
effects of Benadryl limit its use in Parkinson's. These include dry mouth,
constipation, dry eyes, blurred vision, urinary retention and confusion.
Dominic Marchese, RPh.
Athena Rx Home Pharmacy
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>>> Posting number 67839, dated 17 Sep 1999 16:02:36
From: "J. R. Bruman" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Muscle cramps/Benadryl
According to the PDR, Benadryl is an antihistamine used to treat
allergic reactions and motion sickness. But those properties are
due partly to Benadryl's anticholinergic nature, which you will
recall was the principle of drugs used decades ago, before the
advent of levodopa, to treat PD. In fact, the "Indications"
paragraph includes a suggestion that Benadryl might also be so
used, as an injectable for those who can't tolerate oral medication.
The only worry I might have is, if you're also taking levodopa (in
Sinemet) the effects might be additive, so you should ask your
neuro about that. Cheers,
Joe
--
J. R. Bruman (818) 789-3694
3527 Cody Road
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403-5013
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>>> Posting number 78556, dated 10 Apr 2000 23:54:55
From: "Jorge A. Romero, M.D." <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: PD Med's Question
I think it is important to reply to this to correct some misconceptions.
1) Anticholinergics BLOCK the ACTION of acetylcholine in the brain, not
the production of acetylcholine.
2) The beneficial effects of anticholinergics in Parkinson's Disease were
known long before we had any idea of the role of dopamine in Parkinsonism.
3) Some of the early work on the relationship between acetylcholine and
dopamine effects in the brain suggested that the dopamine receptors
inhibited neurons which released acetylcholine. Therefore, stimulation of
dopamine receptors made less acetylcholine available to ITS receptors. In
this respect, therefore, the blocking of acetylcholine receptors by
anticholinergics has similar effects to increasing the stimulation of
dopamine receptors by dopamine, but not the same potency.
4) The anticholinergic drugs still do have a limited role in the management
of Parkinsonism. For reasons that are not known, they seem to inhibit tremor
better than the dopamine agonists or levodopa in certain individuals. When
tremor is a dominant problem, and other medications seem insufficient to
control it, anticholinergic drugs are worth trying.
5) Historically, it is interesting to remember that at one time it was
suggested that very early Parkinsonism could be treated with anticholinergic
drugs alone first, much like the arguments that are now used to promote the
same concept with respect to the dopamine agonists. One big difference is
that anticholinergic drugs are A LOT CHEAPER - so if they work without
limiting side effects, even to a limited degree, they may be worth using.
6) As with all medications, their use must be guided by the balance between
the risks and benefits. They do often produce dry mouth or urinary
retention in males; they may also cause blurring of vision, or exacerbation
of glaucoma. They also produce some mental and cognitive side effects (like
all antiParkinsonian drugs when given in higher doses) - so these side
effects need to be anticipated,and if they occur, stop the drug or reduce
the dose. If the cure is worse than the disease...then stop the cure!!!
However, this is not often the case.
7) The main limitation of the anticholinergic drugs was their relatively
weak potency in terms of relieving the rigidity and bradykinesia.
8) What works for one PWP does not necessarily work for all PWPs; what
fails to work in one PWP is not necessarily useless for all PWPs.
It is not wise, therefore, to unilaterally condemn the use of these drugs
without knowing what the situation is in more detail - what drugs have
already been tried, what are the dominant symptoms, what have been the
limiting side effects or problems...only then should one presume to pass
judgement as to whether the use of anticholinergic drugs is appropriate or
not.
In every sense, therefore, it is important that all PWPs work with their
neurologists in much the same way that an athlete works with his/her coach
to design a program to optimize individual performance.
Jorge A Romero, MD
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janet paterson
53 now / 44 dx cd / 43 onset cd / 41 dx pd / 37 onset pd
tel: 613 256 8340 url: "http://www.geocities.com/janet313/"
email: [log in to unmask] smail: POBox 171 Almonte Ontario K0A 1A0 Canada
