Prescription Drugs

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Dibenzyline (phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride) is a long-acting, adrenergic, alpha-receptor- blocking agent, which can produce and maintain "chemical sympathectomy" by oral administration. It increases blood flow to the skin, mucosa and abdominal viscera, and lowers both supine and erect blood pressures. It has no effect on the parasympathetic system. Twenty to 30 percent of orally administered phenoxybenzamine appears to be absorbed in the active form.1 The half-life of orally administered phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride is not known; however, the half-life of intravenously administered drug is approximately 24 hours. Demonstrable effects with intravenous administration persist for at least 3 to 4 days, and the effects of daily administration are cumulative for nearly a week.1 REFERENCES 1. Weiner, N.: Drugs That Inhibit Adrenergic Nerves and Block Adrenergic Receptors, in Goodman, L., and Gilman, A., The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, ed. 6, New York, Macmillan Publishing Co., 1980, p. 179; p. 182.

Find Lowest Prices on DIBENZYLINE® (phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride) Capsules, USP 10 mg Adrenergic, Alpha-Receptor- blocking agent DESCRIPTION Each Dibenzyline (phenoxybenzamine) capsule, with red cap and body, is imprinted WPC 001 and 10 mg, and contains 10 mg of Phenoxybenzamine Hydrochloride USP. Inactive ingredients consist of D&C Red No. 33, FD&C Red No. 3, FD&C Yellow No. 6, Gelatin NF, Lactose NF, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate NF and Silicon Dioxide NF. Dibenzyline (phenoxybenzamine) is N-(2-Chloroethyl)-N-(1-methyl-2-phenoxyethyl)benzylamine hydrochloride: Phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride is a colorless, crystalline powder with a molecular weight of 340.3, which melts between 136° and 141°C. It is soluble in water, alcohol and chloroform; insoluble in ether.

INDICATIONS Dibenzyline (phenoxybenzamine) is indicated in the treatment of pheochromocytoma, to control episodes of hypertension and sweating. If tachycardia is excessive, it may be necessary to use a beta-blocking agent concomitantly. DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The dosage should be adjusted to fit the needs of each patient. Small initial doses should be slowly increased until the desired effect is obtained or the side effects from blockade become troublesome. After each increase, the patient should be observed on that level before instituting another increase. The dosage should be carried to a point where symptomatic relief and/or objective improvement are obtained, but not so high that the side effects from blockade become troublesome. Initially, 10 mg of Dibenzyline (phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride) twice a day. Dosage should be increased every other day, usually to 20 to 40 mg 2 or 3 times a day, until an optimal dosage is obtained, as judged by blood pressure control. Long-term use of phenoxybenzamine is not recommended (see PRECAUTIONS Carcinogenesis and Mutagenesis). Storage Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°- 30°C (59°- 86°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. HOW SUPPLIED Dibenzyline (phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride) capsules, 10 mg, in bottles of 100 (NDC 65197- 001-01). ** Available as Levophed® Bitartrate (brand of norepinephrine bitartrate) from Abbott Laboratories. DATE OF ISSUANCE: MARCH 2008. Manufactured for WellSpring Pharmaceutical Corporation, Bradenton, FL 34202-4101, USA. By WellSpring Pharmaceutical Canada Corp. Oakville, Ontario L6H 1M5 Canada. Rev. 03/08. FDA rev date: 4/3/2008

PATIENT INFORMATION No information provided. Please refer to the WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS sections.

OVERDOSE SYMPTOMS - These are largely the result of blocking of the sympathetic nervous system and of the circulating epinephrine. They may include postural hypotension, resulting in dizziness or fainting; tachycardia, particularly postural; vomiting; lethargy; shock. Treatment When symptoms and signs of overdosage exist, discontinue the drug. Treatment of circulatory failure, if present, is a prime consideration. In cases of mild overdosage, recumbent position with legs elevated usually restores cerebral circulation. In the more severe cases, the usual measures to combat shock should be instituted. Usual pressor agents are not effective. Epinephrine is contraindicated because it stimulates both alpha- and beta- receptors; since alpha- receptors are blocked, the net effect of epinephrine administration is vasodilation and a further drop in blood pressure (epinephrine reversal). The patient may have to be kept flat for 24 hours or more in the case of overdose, as the effect of the drug is prolonged. Leg bandages and an abdominal binder may shorten the period of disability. I.V. Infusion of levarterenol bitartrate** may be used to combat severe hypotensive reactions, because it stimulates alpha- receptors primarily. Although Dibenzyline (phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride) is an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent, a sufficient dose of levarterenol bitartrate will overcome this effect. The oral LD50 for phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride is approximately 2000 mg/kg in rats and approximately 500 mg/kg in guinea pigs. CONTRAINDICATIONS Conditions where a fall in blood pressure may be undesirable; hypersensitivity to the drug or any of its components.

SIDE EFFECTS The following adverse reactions have been observed, but there are insufficient data to support an estimate of their frequency. Autonomic Nervous System*: Postural hypotension, tachycardia, inhibition of ejaculation, nasal congestion, miosis. *These so-called "side effects" are actually evidence of adrenergic blockade and vary according to the degree of blockade. Miscellaneous: Gastrointestinal irritation, drowsiness, fatigue. DRUG INTERACTIONS 2-Dibenzyline (phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride) may interact with compounds that stimulate both alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors (i.e., epinephrine) to produce an exaggerated hypotensive response and tachycardia. (See WARNING.) Dibenzyline (phenoxybenzamine) blocks hyperthermia production by levarterenol, and blocks hypothermia production by reserpine. REFERENCES 2. Martin, E.W.: Drug Interactions Index 1978/1979, Philadelphia, J.B. Lippincott Co., 1978, pp. 209-210.

WARNINGS Dibenzyline (phenoxybenzamine) -induced alpha-adrenergic blockade leaves beta-adrenergic receptors unopposed. Compounds that stimulate both types of receptors may, therefore, produce an exaggerated hypotensive response and tachycardia. PRECAUTIONS General-Administer with caution in patients with marked cerebral or coronary arteriosclerosis or renal damage. Adrenergic blocking effect may aggravate symptoms of respiratory infections. Carcinogenesis and Mutagenesis Case reports of carcinoma in humans after long-term treatment with phenoxybenzamine have been reported. Hence long-term use of phenoxybenzamine is not recommended.3, 4 Carefully weigh the benefits and risks before prescribing this drug. Phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride showed in vitro mutagenic activity in the Ames test and mouse lymphoma assay; it did not show mutagenic activity in vivo in the micronucleus test in mice. In rats and mice, repeated intraperitoneal administration of phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride (three times per week for up to 52 weeks) resulted in peritoneal sarcomas. Chronic oral dosing in rats (for up to 2 years) produced malignant tumors of the small intestine and non-glandular stomach, as well as ulcerative and/or erosive gastritis of the glandular stomach. Whereas squamous cell carcinomas of the non-glandular stomach were observed at all tested doses of phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride, there was a no-observed-effect-level of 10 mg/kg for tumors (carcinomas and sarcomas) of the small intestine. This dose is, on a body surface area basis, about twice the maximum recommended human dosage of 20 mg b.i.d. Pregnancy - Teratogenic Effects- Pregnancy Category C Adequate reproductive studies in animals have not been performed with Dibenzyline (phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride). It is also not known whether Dibenzyline (phenoxybenzamine) can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Dibenzyline (phenoxybenzamine) should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. Nursing Mothers It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother. Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. REFERENCES 3. Nettesheim O, Hoffken G, Gahr M, Breidert M: Haematemesis and dysphagia in a 20-year-old woman with congenital spine malformation and situs inversus partialis [German]. Zeitschrift fur Gastroenterologie. 2003;41(4):319-24. 4. Vaidyanathan S, Mansour P, Soni BM, Hughes PL, Singh G: Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, synchronous small cell carcinoma and squamous neoplasia of the urinary bladder in a paraplegic man following long-term phenoxybenzamine therapy. Spinal Cord. 2006;44(3):188-91.