What is chlorpheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine?
Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the
body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.
Hydrocodone is a narcotic. It is a pain reliever and a cough suppressant.
Phenylephrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated
blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).
The combination of chlorpheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine is used to treat
runny or stuffy nose, sinus congestion, and cough caused by the common cold or flu.
Chlorpheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine may also be used for other purposes
not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking chlorpheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine?
Do not that this medication 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 chlorpheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine before the MAO inhibitor
has cleared from your body.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to chlorpheniramine,
hydrocodone, or phenylephrine, or to other antihistamines, decongestants, or narcotic
medications.
Before taking chlorpheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine, tell your doctor if you
are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
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asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;
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liver or kidney disease;
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heart disease or high blood pressure;
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diabetes;
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a thyroid disorder;
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curvature of the spine;
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a history of head injury or brain tumor;
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epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
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low blood pressure;
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glaucoma;
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gallbladder disease;
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Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorders;
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enlarged prostate, urination problems;
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mental illness; or
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a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take chlorpheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine.
Hydrocodone may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was
prescribed for.
This medication should never be shared with another person,
especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction.
Keep the
medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
FDA pregnancy category C. Chlorpheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine
may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
How should I take chlorpheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine?
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger
amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
You may take this medication with or without food.
Measure liquid 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.
Store the medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of how much of the medicine has been used from each new bottle.
Hydrocodone is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using
this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose of chlorpheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about chlorpheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine?
Your pharmacist has information about chlorpheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of chlorpheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine?
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 a serious side
effect such as:
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severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness;
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fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
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shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;
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confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
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feeling like you might pass out;
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urinating less than usual or not at all;
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easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills,
body aches, flu symptoms;
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increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision,
trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure); or
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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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nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, constipation;
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dry mouth;
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blurred vision;
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dizziness, drowsiness;
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problems with memory or concentration;
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sleep problems (insomnia);
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restless or excitability (especially in children);
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ringing in your ears;
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warmth, tingling, or redness under your skin; or
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skin rash or itching.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about chlorpheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine?
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 drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of chlorpheniramine,
hydrocodone, and phenylephrine.
Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and
medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by chlorpheniramine,
hydrocodone, and phenylephrine. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines, or
any other cough and cold medications.
Hydrocodone may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was
prescribed for.
Hydrocodone should never be shared with another person,
especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction.
Keep the
medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
What should I avoid while taking chlorpheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine?
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 drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of chlorpheniramine,
hydrocodone, and phenylephrine.
Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and
medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by chlorpheniramine,
hydrocodone, and phenylephrine. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines, or
any other cough and cold medications.
What other drugs will affect chlorpheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
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blood pressure medication;
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cimetidine (Tagamet);
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rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);
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zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT);
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an antidepressant;
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a diuretic (water pill);
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medication to treat irritable bowel syndrome;
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bladder or urinary medications such as oxybutynin
(Ditropan, Oxytrol) or tolterodine (Detrol);
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aspirin or salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doan's Pills,
Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others);
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seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or
phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
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a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol
(Cartrol), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol
(Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others; or
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medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as
chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), mesoridazine (Serentil), pimozide (Orap), or
thioridazine (Mellaril).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with chlorpheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine. Tell your doctor about all your
prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs
prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of chlorpheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine?
