Description
Aromatic ammonia spirit is used to prevent or treat fainting.
Fainting may be caused by some kinds of medicine, by an unpleasant or stressful event, or by a serious medical problem, such as heart disease. Fainting in an older person is often more serious than fainting in a younger person. Older people and people with a history of heart problems should seek medical attention as soon as possible after fainting.
Aromatic ammonia spirit is available without a doctor's prescription.
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
This medicine has been tested in children and, in effective doses, has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults. However, this medicine should not be given to children without first checking with their doctor.
Geriatric
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of aromatic ammonia spirit in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or other chronic lung disease, or
- Eye problems—This medicine may make these conditions worse
- Flushed face—The cause of the fainting may be a serious condition that should be treated by a doctor
Proper Use
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For preventing or treating fainting:
- For inhalation dosage form (inhalants):
- Adults and teenagers—The inhalant should be held away from the face and crushed between the fingers. The inhalant should then be held about four inches away from the nostrils, and the vapor slowly inhaled until the patient awakens or no longer feels faint.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For inhalation dosage form (solution):
- Adults and teenagers—After the top is taken off the container, the vapor may be slowly inhaled until the patient awakens or no longer feels faint.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For inhalation dosage form (inhalants):
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not refrigerate. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Precautions
Fainting in older people may be a sign of a serious medical problem. Older people and people with heart problems should check with their doctor as soon as possible after fainting.
Keep this medicine away from your eyes and skin. If aromatic ammonia spirit comes into contact with your eyes or skin, burns and irritation may occur. Burns in the eyes may cause blindness.
If this medicine gets into your eyes:
- Rinse your eyes with a gentle stream of water for 20 minutes. Hold the eyelid away from the eyeball to allow complete rinsing.
- Call a poison control center, your doctor, or a hospital emergency room immediately.
If this medicine comes into contact with your skin:
- Remove any clothing on which aromatic ammonia spirit has spilled.
- Rinse the skin with large amounts of water.
- Do not rub or apply ointment to the skin.
- Call your doctor if skin irritation continues.
If a large amount of this medicine is taken orally:
- Drink a glass (8 ounces) of water.
- Call a poison control center, your doctor, or a hospital emergency room immediately.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
- Cough
- diarrhea
- difficulty in breathing
- headache
- vomiting
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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