What is acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine?
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer.
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough
reflex.
Diphennydramine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body.
Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.
The combination of acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine is used to treat
sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, cough, and pain or fever caused by the common cold or flu.
Acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine may also be used for other purposes
not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen, dextromethorphan,
diphenhydramine, or other antihistamines.
Do not use a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or
tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if
you take cough or cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Before using acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine, tell your doctor if you
are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use this
medication, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or
plan to become pregnant during treatment.
This medication may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Artificially-sweetened liquid forms of cold medicine may contain phenylalanine. This would be
important to know if you have phenylketonuria (PKU). Check the ingredients and warnings on the
medication label if you are concerned about phenylalanine.
How should I take acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine?
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your
doctor. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended. Cold
medicine is usually taken for only a short time until your symptoms clear up.
Always ask a doctor before giving cough or cold medicine to a child.
Death can occur from the misuse of cough or cold medicine in very young children.
An overdose of acetaminophen can cause serious harm. The maximum amount of
acetaminophen for adults is 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. Taking more
acetaminophen could cause damage to your liver. One teaspoon of acetaminophen, dextromethorphan,
and diphenhydramine liquid usually contains 325 mg of acetaminophen. Know the amount of
acetaminophen in the specific product you are taking.
If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, do not take acetaminophen without
your doctor's advice, and never take more than 2 grams (2000 mg) of acetaminophen per day.
Measure the liquid form of this medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a
regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Take this medicine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.
Drink extra fluids to help loosen the congestion and lubricate your throat while you are
taking this medication.
Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you
have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor
who treats you that you are taking an antihistamine.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time if you have taken a cold
medicine within the past few days.
Store this medicine at room temperature, away from heat, light, and moisture.
What happens if I miss a dose of acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine?
Since cough or cold medicine is usually taken only as needed, you may not be on a dosing
schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If
it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly
scheduled time.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine?
Your pharmacist has information about acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side
effects:
-
fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;
-
severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness;
-
confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
-
slow, shallow breathing;
-
urinating less than usual or not at all;
-
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills,
body aches, flu symptoms; or
-
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
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mild loss of appetite or stomach upset;
-
nausea, stomach pain, constipation;
-
blurred vision;
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dry mouth;
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dizziness, drowsiness;
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problems with memory or concentration;
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ringing in your ears; or
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restless or excitability (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 may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine?
Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child.
Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.
Do not use a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or
tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if
you take cough or cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Do not use any other cough, cold, allergy, or sleep medication without first asking your
doctor or pharmacist. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of one
or more types of medicine. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains
acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as "APAP"), dextromethorphan, or diphenhydramine.
Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen
can cause damage to your liver.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase the risk of liver damage while you are taking
acetaminophen. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, do not take acetaminophen
without your doctor's advice, and never take more than 2 grams (2000 mg) per day.
Dextromethorphan will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.
What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine?
This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather.
Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as pain medication, muscle relaxers,
and medicine to treat depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by an antihistamine.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking this medication. Alcohol can add to
drowsiness caused by an antihistamine. Alcohol can also increase the risk of liver damage while you
are taking acetaminophen.
Avoid taking diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications) without
your doctor's advice. Taking a stimulant together with cough or cold medicine can increase your risk
of unpleasant side effects.
Do not use any other cough, cold, allergy, or sleep medication without first asking your
doctor or pharmacist. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as "APAP"), dextromethorphan, and
diphenhydramine are contained in many combination medicines. If you take certain products together
you may accidentally take too much of one or more types of medicine. Read the label of any other
medicine you are using to see if it contains acetaminophen, APAP, dextromethorphan, or
diphenhydramine.
What other drugs will affect acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
celecoxib (Celebrex);
-
cinacalcet (Sensipar);
-
darifenacin (Enablex);
-
imatinib (Gleevec);
-
isoniazid;
-
quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex);
-
ranolazine (Ranexa)
-
ritonavir (Norvir);
-
sibutramine (Meridia);
-
terbinafine (Lamisil);
-
zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT);
-
medicines to treat high blood pressure;
-
an antidepressant;
-
a diuretic (water pill);
-
medication to treat irritable bowel syndrome;
-
bladder or urinary medications such as oxybutynin
(Ditropan, Oxytrol) or tolterodine (Detrol);
-
aspirin or salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doan's Pills,
Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others);
-
seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or
phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or
-
gout medications such as probenecid (Benbemid) or
sulfinpyrazone.
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use
acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine, or you may need dosage adjustments or
special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and
diphenhydramine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you
use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not
start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine?
