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.