Tedral Magnified Senses

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I thought i was mentally unbalanced. Seeing enlargements of real life in front of me. Increased hearing sensitivity. Shrinking rooms in front of me own eyes. For years thinking it was me. An unbalanced. Self. It all stopped as i got older until one day I was having an asthmatic condition and took the medicine the doctor had me take 3 times a day! Tedral!. The truck in front of my eyes, as i worked on the engine, seemed to shrink like what happened 5 ears previously. when I was taken tedral regularly. I wasn't crazy after all--- It was the medicine! Anyone else experience shrinking heads, feelings of speed' before the term existed? Why was it taken off the market? Everyone have these problems? It would be nice to hear from others about their Tedral experience. This occurred 1952 through 1968

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1

I was prescribed this medication from the ages of 3 to 15 for asthma. I suffered visual hallucinations, nausea, extreme tremulousness, restlessness, irritability just to name a few of the symptoms. This medication should never have been given to a child!

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2

Tedral contained phenobarbitol, which has a highly addictive nature. It's legitimate use is for the immediate treatment of seasures, and as a short term sedative. It was added to Tedral to counteract the hyperactive sensations caused by the large amount of ephedrine (a chemical similar to, and used in the making of amphetamines-or speed), which has legitimate use in the treatment of asthma. Ephedrine is a highly concentrated formulation of ephedra or Mua Hang, an herbal drug, which has been taken off the market in the US because of significant potential for heart irregularities and it's use in making methamphetamine or simply meth.
The third component of Tedral was aminophyllin or Theophylin, which is still successfully used in the management of asthma, and is even used for it's side effect of elimination of cellulite. It is the main component of so called thigh cream.
Many patients treated on Tedral became addicted to the phenobarbital in it, without even knowing they were taking a dangerous drug. Some of the symptoms you both describe are common. When prescribed for me in the fall of 1971, I lost the ability to concentrate, and as a result nearly flunked out of my first semester of college--I was a B+ student in high school and after getting off of Tedral, and going through the hell of phenobarbital withdrawl, I regained my good grades, and eventually went on to become a Registered Nurse, and even got a Masters degree and practiced as a nurse practitioner.
For many, Tedral was a dangerous drug, and for others it was a lifesaver. Tough choice to make.

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3

I was given Tedral 1971 or 72 I was 7 years old and on the night of the 3rd day of taking it I woke up seeing spiders crawling the wall and all over me for about 12 hours. I did get my first and only 0ambulance ride and strapped down in a bed while the medicine wore off. They simply told us that it was an allergic reaction to the drug.

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4

Wow! Me too! I had bronchial asthma from the time I was 3 months old. I started having weird hallucinations like you describe probably when I was around 7 or 8 years old. Everything moved extremely loud and fast. I've always thought that the babysitter fed me acid. My Mother said right off the bat she thought it was the Tedral. It stopped happening right around the time that I outgrew the asthma!

Right now I have an extreme sensitivity to low frequency sounds which was made worse by psych meds. What a relief to read your post. I've told psychiatrists about the Tedral and they said nothing.

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5

I had asthma since childhood. I am now a 53 yr old female. I vividly remember the yellow thick medicine I took and would describe it as thick as snot (which I called it). Episodes of yelling and screaming about the bugs crawling on the walls and coming to get me. I went days without eating or drinking - the applause I received eating a grape. Mind you during this time Tedral was taken at lease three times a day. I could not listen to loud noises, no television, phone ringing, radio - this triggered a panic attach and episodes of crying from fear. My sense of smell is high. I am allergic to all types of peanuts products and can smell it on someone breath even a distance away. I often wondered is anyone else experience reactions to tedral for I have never forgotten

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6

I took Tedral for years and had no ill side effects whatsoever. I was disappointed when they pulled it from the shelves. Seems like they would have put those experiencing adverse effects on another med rather than pull Tedral and deprive countless others. I now have to go to another country to find it.

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7

I remember not being able to breathe during an asthma attack and the desperation I felt too. But after taking the Tedral and within 20 minutes I started breathing normally after that the only sied-effects I had would be having full-on philosophical discussion with my mother at the age of 12. I loved it. No ill side-effects for me.

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8

I took Tedral or Theophylline as a kid. It was an absolute lifesaver. It was a little harder to sleep, because it does increase your heartrate. Not near as much as Albuteral or that Zoepenex crap, in my opinion. It did contain a trace bit of phenobarbitol, but not anywhere near enough to be addicting. Usually one tablet a day was all I took,
or maybe just a half was enough. I dont understand all of these comments about addiction, and seeing monsters. My cynicism makes me think they are false posts planted by an albuteral distributor. Tedral for me was a wonder drug at pennies a dose. I'm very suspicious about why Zoepenex is $5 a dose. And does not work near as well as a bit of theophylline.

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9

I had childhood asthma and used tedral, also felt strange, didn't fully identify the feeling I was too young--then at about 12, after being asthma free for a year or so, I had another asthma attack, took the tedral as I used to-- but it seemed my arms were floating away! It had a definite hallucinogenic effect on me, besides the revved feeling.

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10

I'm a known asthmatic since childhood and was allowed to use Tedral by my asthma doctor since 1985 until this drug was taken off the market. The drug did not cause me any trouble nor has given me any adverse effect. I was happy then, that my asthma was well-controlled by the use of this single drug. I am a nurse by profession and knows how to manage my medication very well. I prefer to use it rather than the usual broncholilators. Bronchodilator inhalers give me headache...

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11

I took tedrol as an asthmatic child. It made me hallucinate. I remember floating above my body, heart pounding, wondering at 7, if I was gonna die. Did it come in suppository form? The most scarey trip was after that. I have been a drug user my entire life since then. Chasing that weird feeling I had as a child. I've been re creating that feeling ever since. Thanks Tedral..

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12

I was given Tedral when I was about five or six for asthma - I had a Mr Potato Head that I played with and I hallucinated that he was chasing me!! I will never forget that. I have always had a thing for taking meds too, not an addict but always willing to try stuff. Thanks from me too TEDRAL

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13

I too used to have the shrinking rooms! I was prescribed it as a child and it made me a bit high, I couldn't sleep and when I could the rooms came in on me.
I accidently told my doctor, when I was 20 the wrong drug, and said Tedral. I filled the scrips and took it again, it started again. I stopped taking it.

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14

When I was a toddler I had a near fatal episode with asthma. It went miss-diagnosed for years. When I was eight I started going to an allergist who properly diagnosed me. I was put on a restricted diet and received allergy shots 2 or 3 times a week and I had to be rescued by adrenalin shots many times. I was very frail and my physical development was delayed.
Finally when I was 14 my doctor gave me Tedral to try. Suddenly I had a new lease on life. Within a few weeks I realized the allergy shots had not helped and quit going back for them. I wasn't cured but I found I could participate in physically demanding activities and eat pretty much anything I wanted. I was taking one Tedral pill per day and was able to live normally. I would still have an occasional trip to the emergency room for an adrenalin injection but by and large I could live normally. I did experience some nervousness and I could tell my mind would wander but I never felt impaired and never had any hallucinations or other of the serious side effect mentioned here. When I was in my twenties it seemed I had pretty much outgrown the asthma although today in my 60's I still have an asthma attack once in a while. An Albuterol rescue inhaler generally does the trick. The story here is, Tedral saved my life and I am sorry it is off the market.

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15

I agree I wish they would leave stuff alone. They seem to forget the drug does help alot of people and I happen to be 1 of them!

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16

I took Tedral from the mid-1960's to about 1971. I had asthma during this period. I was under constant treatment for allergies. In 1971, I went to college and moved into a dorm; my asthma went away! I think it was mold in my family home that was bothering me earlier. Anyway, I took Tedral at night (with an antihistamine to help sleep). It wound me up but I would read at night and it seemed to help me enjoy what I was reading. So it affected me in some helpful ways, but also took me away from "normal life." It was a lifesaver for asthma - it just stopped it cold. I can see how its side-effects are bad for children, but it definitely worked!

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17

From age 8 fill 25 i used it,gave me an increased awareness,very focused,abnormal aboundence of energy, feeling of i can do anything, became addicted to it,when it was pulled from bring perscribted, i went through withdrawls,found cocain did the same, I've struggled with addiction since, what recourse do i have?

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18

I am 55 now and took the Tedral (yellow thick) Syrup/Liquid for many years, from the early 60's to early 70's. I do remember having a hard time sleeping afterward and experiencing some claustrophobia.
But even though I fought taking the thick yellow medicine, it did the job of keeping my asthma under control,which was a great relief when I was gasping for my breath, along with being terribly frightened which didn't help the asthma attack.
It was in the early to mid 1970's when I began utilizing the Primatene Inhaler. It wasn't until my early to mid twenties when I began to grow out of the asthma problems. Even though now I still keep an albuterol inhaler around in case of seasonal or flu related asthma symptoms. I have often wondered WHY the Tedral was removed from the market, and what long term effect it had on my body. Any ideas???

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19

I remember tedral, thick yellow meds. I use to rinse my mouth after drinking it. I remember the feeling of my head growing. I never knew it was tedral causing that until now.

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20

I took Tedral tablets for asthma in the mid 70's. I was in my teens. I remember reading the entire Reader's Digest condensed version of Day of the Jackle AND the standard version of Lord of the Flies... in one night. It definately helped with the asthma... but I usually skipped school the next day because I was wiped out from lack of sleep.

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59

I'm wondering if anyone has had long term side effects from Tedral. I started taking it when I was 6 months old until they stopped making it. I was 35. Now 20 years later, I'm suffering from chronic, severe headaches and migraines that started when I stopped Tedral. Everyday for 20 years. I wonder if taking Tedral effected or alerted the chemicals in my brain since Tedral was present during my childhood brain development and well into adulthood. So taking it away, left my brain starved for something that it wasn't used to making on it's own. That's just a theory. But 20 years of suffering "withdrawal" type symptoms has to be more than withdrawal!

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58

Re: Nance (# 46) Expand Referenced Message

I took it for 10 years and my resting heart rate is 90

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57

Yes, been there done that.

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56

I was on Tedral from roughly the age of 4 until I outgrew my asthma around the age of 12. I started on the thick, yellow, licorice-flavored liquid and it was beyond NASTY! (I can't even tolerate the smell of black licorice to this day!) I eventually was switched to the pill form. I also received injections for allergies bi-weekly. I can't say that I experienced any hallucinations or the other side effects previously noted (I don't doubt that those experiences are true as people often respond to drugs differently and the drug itself has been pulled from the market). All that I can say is that for me, the drug was effective without any side effects that I can recall.

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55

I never had any mind altering sessions per say. It took my asthma symptoms away faster than anything I have taken since. I have never done recreational drugs but man could I plow through my housework in nothing flat. It did seem to help calm my anxiety and improve my focus also.

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54

I used this drug during the 60's and 70's for asthma, which I eventually grew out of. For me it was a fantastic drug once I learned to titrate the amount I would take with the severity of the onset of asthma. Taking too much I experienced the racing heart, tremors etc which dissipated after a day or so. I would often only take a quarter of a tablet as that was often all I needed to breath easily, then I had not after or side effects. For a young person the dosage of a whole tablet was too concentrated so that was why I titrated it to a smaller portion.

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53

As a child, age 4 or 5 back in 1966 / 1967 I had asthma and remember seeing spiders and crawling insects at night whether my eyes were closed or open. I thought all my life thereafter that I had Asthma with hallucinating. ...Now I am researching to find out if this was from phenobarbitol. I am 55 years old now with many drug sensitivities or possible CYP450 gene variations in drug metabolism.

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52

I was given tedral in 1955 to 1957 (until we moved to phoenix for my asthma at age 5). All i remember is standing over the toilet and throwing up 3 times a day!! Happy to get off it at age 5.

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51

Singulair did that to me?? I was told "It'll help your asthma". No, it didn't. It just made me go crazy. Twice. Fifteen years apart. I stopped it and reported it to the adverse reaction website. Dr wouldn't believe me. I no longer see her, or the original one from 15 years ago. Sometimes, you have to do what is best for you. Especially if there is no support from your provider.

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50

I too have suffered the exact same symptoms. I'm now 60, educated and could never keep a job more than a year. I get excited very easily and my adrenalin goes through the roof. Thoughts race so badly I go nights without sleep. Meditation helped with the racing thoughts but not the other symptoms.

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