Chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine

Chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine

Chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine

What is Chlorpheniramine and Phenylephrine?

Phenylephrine is a decongestant that narrows the blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can lead to nasal congestion (nasal congestion).

Chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine are combination medications used to treat cold or seasonal allergy symptoms, including sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and itchy, watery eyes.

Chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Side effects of chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine

If necessary, get emergency medical helpSigns of an allergic reaction:hives; difficulty breathing; Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine can cause serious side effects. Stop using chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine and call your doctor immediately if you have:

• chest pain, rapid pulse, fast or uneven heart rate;

• confusion, hallucinations, severe nervousness;

• tremors, seizures (convulsions);

• little or no urination;

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or

• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headaches, ringing in the ears, anxiety, shortness of breath).

Common side effects of chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision;

• dry nose or mouth;

• nausea, stomach pain, constipation, loss of appetite;

• problems with memory or concentration; or

• Restlessness or excitement (especially in children).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to FDA at 1 800 FDA 1088.

Warnings

Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.

You should not take antihistamines to make a child sleepy.

Before you take this medicine

You should not use chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine if you are allergic to chlorpheniramine or phenylephrine.

Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the last 14 days. Dangerous drug interactions could occur. MAOIs include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medicine if you have:

• asthma or COPD, coughing up mucus or smoking-induced cough, emphysema or chronic bronchitis;

• a blockage in your stomach or intestines;

• kidney or liver disease;

• high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, or recent heart attack;

• enlarged prostate or problems urinating;

• Glaucoma;

• Diabetes;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorders;

• pheochromocytoma (a tumor of the adrenal gland);

• Overactive thyroid; or

• if you take potassium (Cytra, Epiklor, K-Lyte, K-Phos, Kaon, Klor-Con, Polycitra, Urocit-K).

It is not known whether chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine will harm an unborn baby.If you are pregnant, do not use this medicine without your doctor's advice.

It is not known whether chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine pass into breast milk or whether they could harm a nursing baby. Antihistamines and decongestants can also slow breast milk production.If you are breast-feeding a baby, do not use this medicine without your doctor's advice.

Older adults may be at higher risk of side effects from this drug.

Artificially sweetened liquid cold medications may contain phenylalanine. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), check the drug label to see if the product contains phenylalanine.

How should I take chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine?

Use exactly as directed on the label or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller quantities or for longer than recommended. Cold medicine is usually only taken for a short time until symptoms subside.

Do not give this medication to children under 4 years of age.Always consult a doctor before giving cough or cold medicine to a child.In very young children, misuse of cough and cold medicines can cause death.

You should not take antihistamines to make a child sleepy.

Do not crush, chew, break or openExtended-release tablet or capsule. Swallow it whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much medicine to be released at once.

The chewable tablet must be chewed before swallowing.

Measure liquid medications using a special measuring spoon or medication cup, not a regular tablespoon. If you don't have a dose measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment or if you have a fever with headache, cough, or rash.

This medication may produce unusual results in allergic skin tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking an antihistamine.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon in advance whether you have taken any cold medicine in the past few days.

Store at room temperature, protected from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Because cold medications are taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you take the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid when taking chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine?

This medication may affect your thinking or reactions. Be careful when driving or doing anything that requires your attention.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine.

Consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking any other cold, allergy, or sleep medication. Chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products at the same time may cause you to take too much of a particular medication. Check the label to see if a medicine contains an antihistamine or decongestant.

What other drugs affect chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine?

Before using chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine, consult a doctor or pharmacist if you also take other medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used together. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Taking this medicine with other medicines that make you sleepy or slow your breathing may worsen these effects. Consult your doctor before taking chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain reliever, muscle relaxant, or anti-anxiety, depression, or seizure medication.

More information

Remember to keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the prescribed indication.