What is carbetapentane and chlorpheniramine?
Carbetapentane is a cough suppressant.
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.
The combination of carbetapentane and chlorpheniramine is used to treat runny nose,
sneezing, watery eyes, and cough caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.
This medication will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or
emphysema.
Carbetapentane and chlorpheniramine may also be used for other purposes not listed in
this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking carbetapentane and chlorpheniramine?
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.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to carbetapentane or
chlorpheniramine, or to other antihistamines.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you
have:
-
heart disease, high blood pressure;
-
emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or other breathing
problems;
-
glaucoma;
-
kidney disease;
-
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
-
a thyroid disorder;
-
an enlarged prostate;
-
problems with urination; or
-
if you are allergic to yellow food dye.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take this medication.
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.
How should I take carbetapentane and chlorpheniramine?
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.
Cough and cold medicine is usually taken only for 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.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure
you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not
with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for
one.
Drink plenty of fluids to help loosen mucus congestion while you are taking this
medication.
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.
Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse after
using this medication.
Store the medicine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of carbetapentane and chlorpheniramine?
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 carbetapentane and chlorpheniramine?
Your pharmacist has information about carbetapentane and chlorpheniramine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of carbetapentane and chlorpheniramine?
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;
-
confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior, seizure
(convulsions);
-
severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness;
-
urinating less than usual or not at all; or
-
slow, shallow breathing.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
dizziness, drowsiness;
-
blurred vision;
-
dry mouth, nose, or eyes; or
-
nausea, stomach pain, constipation, loss of appetite.
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 carbetapentane and chlorpheniramine?
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.
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.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, high blood
pressure, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, a seizure disorder, glaucoma, kidney disease, a thyroid
disorder, enlarged prostate, problems with urination, or any drug or food allergies.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking carbetapentane and chlorpheniramine.
Do not use any other over-the-counter 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 an antihistamine or cough suppressant.
What should I avoid while taking carbetapentane and chlorpheniramine?
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.
Narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures,
depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by carbetapentane and chlorpheniramine. Tell
your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines, or any other cold or allergy medications.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking this medication. Alcohol can add to
drowsiness caused by an carbetapentane and chlorpheniramine.
Do not use any other over-the-counter 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 an antihistamine or cough suppressant.
What other drugs will affect carbetapentane and chlorpheniramine?
Many drugs can interact with carbetapentane and chlorpheniramine. Below is just a
partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:
-
an antidepressant;
-
a diuretic (water pill);
-
medication to treat irritable bowel syndrome; or
-
bladder or urinary medications such as oxybutynin
(Ditropan, Oxytrol) or tolterodine (Detrol).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with carbetapentane and chlorpheniramine. 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 carbetapentane and chlorpheniramine?