Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using Paraflex as follows:
- Paraflex, especially when taken in high doses, can lead to depression of respiratory center in the brain, exacerbation of SOB, and difficulty breathing. Low oxygen levels in the body with elevated carbon-di-oxide levels can contribute to altered levels of consciousness, sedation, slow & shallow breathing, severely compromised endurance and exercise tolerance, extreme fatigue, and development of seizures. Severe cases might also lead to emergency situations, such as, respiratory arrest and can result in serious debility and death. This risk with paraflex can be even high when it is taken along with any other products and medications causing central nervous and respiratory depression, such as, alcohol, opioid pain medications, antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and sedatives. Paraflex could either be avoided for a safer alternative or used with extra caution in individuals with history of breathing issues, such as, asthma and COPD, to prevent development of any episodes of severe SOB and respiratory arrest.
- Paraflex use can also result in fast and pounding heartbeat. Individuals with history of cardiac arrhythmias can be at increased risk for precipitation of arrhythmic episodes with paraflex use and must be increasingly watchful to report worsening symptoms of arrhythmias, such as, chest pain, low blood pressure, confusion, dizziness, increasing shortness of breath, and worsening fatigue. Hypotension and irregular heartbeat, secondary to paraflex intake, can contribute to the confusion and dizziness, thus significantly increasing the risk for fall and accidents. Paraflex could best be avoided for a safer alternative or used with extra caution in individuals with history of life-threatening arrhythmias.
- Paraflex has some potential for addiction, especially after prolonged use and/or in individuals with history of substance/drug abuse. This makes paraflex a risky drug and so, must be avoided for a safer alternative in individuals with history of drug abuse.
