What is chlorpheniramine 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.
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 and phenylephrine is used to treat symptoms of the
common cold or seasonal allergies, including sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and itchy, watery eyes.
Chlorpheniramine 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 and phenylephrine?
Do not use chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine 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. Dangerous side effects may occur if you take
chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to chlorpheniramine or phenylephrine, or if you
have:
-
severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
-
severe coronary artery disease;
-
narrow angle glaucoma;
-
a stomach ulcer; or
-
if you are unable to urinate.
Do not use this medication during an asthma attack.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take
this medication. Before you take chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine, tell your doctor if you have:
-
kidney disease;
-
liver disease;
-
diabetes;
-
glaucoma;
-
circulation problems;
-
heart disease or high blood pressure;
-
overactive thyroid;
-
a seizure disorder such as epilepsy;
-
asthma, emphysema or chronic bronchitis; or
-
urination problems or an enlarged prostate.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether chlorpheniramine
and phenylephrine is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine 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.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medicine.
How should I take chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine?
Use this medication as directed on the label, or as your doctor has prescribed. Do not use the
medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
Always ask a doctor before giving cold medicine to a child.
Death
can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release tablet or capsule. Swallow the pill
whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would
cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
The chewable tablet must be chewed before swallowing.
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 where you can
get one.
Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse after taking this
medicine for 7 days.
Store chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine at room temperature away from moisture and
heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine?
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 the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine?
Your pharmacist has information about chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of chlorpheniramine 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 chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine and call your doctor at once if you have any
of these serious side effects:
-
fast or uneven heart beats;
-
feeling light-headed, fainting;
-
seizure (convulsions);
-
hallucinations (seeing things that are not there); or
-
tremors.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite;
-
dry nose or mouth;
-
drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, headache;
-
dry eyes, blurred vision;
-
painful or difficult urination;
-
sleep problems (insomnia);
-
feeling nervous or excited (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 chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine?
Do not use chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine 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. Dangerous side effects may occur if you take
chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to chlorpheniramine or phenylephrine, or if you
have severe high blood pressure or coronary artery disease, narrow-angle glaucoma, a stomach ulcer,
or if you are unable to urinate.
Do not use this medication during an asthma attack.
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 and
phenylephrine.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medicine.
Always ask a doctor before giving cold medicine to a child.
Death
can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.
Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse after taking this
medicine for 7 days.
What should I avoid while taking chlorpheniramine 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 and
phenylephrine.
Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication,
muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused
by chlorpheniramine.
Avoid using other medicines that may cause restlessness (such as caffeine, stimulants, diet pills,
and decongestants contained in over-the-counter cold medicines). They can add to the stimulant effects
of phenylephrine.
What other drugs will affect chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
mecamylamine (Inversine);
-
methyldopa (Aldomet);
-
reserpine;
-
a beta-blocker such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol
(Tenormin), betaxolol (Kerlone), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol (Cartrol), carvedilol (Coreg),
esmolol (Brevibloc), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol
(Corgard), penbutolol (Levatol), pindolol (Visken), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol
(Betapace), or timolol (Blocadren);
-
a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital
(Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal,
Solfoton); or
-
antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon),
amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine
(Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), or trimipramine
(Surmontil).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine. 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 chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine?
