Contraindications of BoxaGrippal®
Boxagrippal® should not be taken in case of known allergies or hypersensitivity reactions to one of the ingredients ibuprofen or pseudoephedrine. Asthma sufferers should also exercise caution when taking Boxagrippal®, as many painkillers can trigger so-called painkiller-induced asthma attacks. As an anti-inflammatory, ibuprofen, like many other substances in this class, is one of the triggers of complaints and bleeding in the digestive tract.
Patients with stomach ulcers or bleeding risks should not take Boxagrippal®. Since the various anti-inflammatory drugs all attack the stomach and intestinal mucosa, Boxagripppal® should not be taken if other anti-inflammatory drugs in the NSAID group are being taken (e.g. diclofenac or naproxen). Due to the degradation in the body, especially the liver and kidneys, diseases in one of these two organs should lead to increased caution when using Boxagrippal®.
In the case of known liver and kidney dysfunctions, Boxagrippal® should only be taken in consultation with the doctor treating the patient. Unexplained haematopoietic disorders should also lead to a decision not to take Boxagrippal®. Due to the ingredient pseudoephedrine, increased caution is also required in the case of diseases of the cardiovascular system, as this system is stimulated by pseudoephedrine.
If high blood pressure is known to exist, Boxagrippal® would, for example, lead to a further increase in blood pressure by constricting blood vessels and further increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. A previous stroke or an increased risk of a stroke should lead to the patient giving up Boxagrippal®. The presence of cardiac insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmia, a heart attack or chronic heart disease should also lead to a decision not to take Boxagrippal®, as further exposure of the circulation to pseudoephedrine would not be acceptable.
Due to the effect of pseudoephedrine on the bladder, urinary retention is also considered a contraindication to taking Boxagrippal®, as Boxagrippal® could lead to a complete inability to empty the bladder and thus to urinary retention. Thyroid diseases also have an enormous impact on the cardiovascular system, and hyperthyroidism leads to an increased sensitivity of the cardiovascular system to pseudoephedrine. Taking Boxagrippal® can lead to tachycardia and, with corresponding previous illnesses, to life-threatening circulatory changes, up to and including heart attacks or cardiac arrhythmia.
In cases of hyperthyroidism, Boxagrippal® should only be taken after consultation with the doctor treating the patient. A combination with other vasoconstrictive drugs should be avoided. These include bromocriptine, pergolide, lisuride or ergotamine, as well as other substances that reduce swelling of the nasal mucous membrane, such as those contained in decongestant nasal sprays.
When taking additional other drugs, the MAO inhibitors (MAO = monoaminooxidase, an enzyme involved in the breakdown of various circulation-enhancing enzymes) used in mental illness should be mentioned in particular, e.g. tranylcypromine. Boxagrippal® must not be used in such cases either, in order to avoid extreme strain on the circulation. It is also important to take these drugs within the last two weeks, even if the drug has already been discontinued, as the effect of this drug can continue over this period even without further intake.
Other equally dangerous interactions can be caused by many other medicines. Heart glycosides, methrothrexate and other drugs that inhibit the immune system, antiplatelet drugs and other drugs for mental illness are only a selection. Because of the possible blood pressure-increasing effect, Boxagrippal® should not be taken a few days before a surgical or dental procedure. Since Boxagrippal® also contains lactose, patients with an intolerance to lactose (= milk sugar) should not take Boxagrippal® either. Other illnesses that prohibit the intake of Boxagrippal® are known spasms such as epilepsy or glaucoma (=eye diseases), lupus or other autoimmune diseases with joint problems or skin changes.
