If There Are No Side Effects, This Must Be Honduras

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Culled from The Physician’s Desk Reference — the standard sourcebook for U.S. doctors, containing information drug companies supply about their products — and comparable foreign guidebooks.

Chart excerpted by Carolyn Marshall

Tetracycline

[ANTIBIOTIC USED AGAINST VARIOUS INFECTIONS; LEDERLE LABORATORIES.]

Ovulen

[BIRTH CONTROL PILLS; G.D. SEARLE CO.]

Imipramine

[ANTI-DEPRESSANT; CIBA-GEIGY.]

UNITED STATES Caution against use:

By infants, children; during pregnancy; with liver or kidney impairment (latter can be fatal) or if overly sensitive to light.

Adverse reactions publicized:

Vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, upset stomach, rashes, kidney poisoning. Can poison fetus.

Caution against use:

If patient has tendency to blood clot, liver dysfunction, abnormal vaginal bleeding, epilepsy, migraine, asthma, heart trouble.

Adverse reactions publicized:

Nausea, loss of hair, nervousness, jaundice, high blood pressure, weight change, headaches.

Caution against use:

If patient has heart disease, history of urinary retention, history of seizures, manic disorder or is on typhoid medication. Not recommended for children or during pregnancy.

Adverse reactions publicized:

Hypertension, stroke, stumbling, delusions, insomnia, numbness, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, itching, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, sweating.

Tetracycline Ovulen Imipramine
MEXICO Caution against use:

By infants, children; during pregnancy or if overly sensitive to light.

Adverse reactions publicized

Vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, upset stomach.

Caution against use:

If patient has tendency to blood clot, liver dysfunction.

Adverse reactions publicized

Nausea, weight change.

Caution against use:

During first trimester of pregnancy.

Adverse reactions publicized

Dry mouth, constipation, itching, sweating.

Tetracycline Ovulen Imipramine
CENTRAL AMERICA Caution against use:

None.

Adverse reactions publicized

None

Caution against use:

If patient has tendency to blood clot, liver dysfunction.

Adverse reactions publicized

Nausea, weight change.

Caution against use:

If patient has heart disease.

Adverse reactions publicized

None

Tetracycline Ovulen Imipramine
BRAZIL Caution against use:

By infants, children; during pregnancy.

Adverse reactions publicized

Vomiting, nausea, upset stomach, rashes.

Caution against use:

If patient has tendency to blood clot.

Adverse reactions publicized

None

Caution against use:

If patient has heart disease. Not recommended for children or during pregnancy.

Adverse reactions publicized

None

Tetracycline Ovulen Imipramine
ARGENTINA Caution against use:

None

Adverse reactions publicized

None

Caution against use:

If patient has tendency to blood clot.

Adverse reactions publicized

None

Caution against use:

May exaggerate response to alcohol.

Adverse reactions publicized

None

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