What is chlorpheniramine and codeine?
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.
Codeine is a narcotic cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough
reflex.
The combination of chlorpheniramine and codeine is used to treat runny or stuffy nose, sneezing,
watery eyes, and cough caused by allergies or the common cold.
Chlorpheniramine and codeine will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or
emphysema.
Chlorpheniramine and codeine 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 codeine?
Do not take a cough and cold 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 a cough
and cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to chlorpheniramine or codeine, or if
you have:
-
severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
-
severe coronary artery disease;
-
ischemic heart disease;
-
a stomach ulcer;
-
narrow-angle glaucoma;
-
if you are having an asthma attack;
-
if you are unable to urinate; or
-
if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely use this medication:
-
asthma, COPD, emphysema, or other breathing disorder;
-
glaucoma;
-
heart disease, high blood pressure;
-
a history of head injury or brain tumor;
-
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
-
a thyroid disorder;
-
diabetes;
-
enlarged prostate or urination problems;
-
stomach or intestinal problems;
-
liver or kidney disease;
-
Addison's disease;
-
mental illness; or
-
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether chlorpheniramine
and codeine is harmful to an unborn baby. Codeine can cause breathing problems or
addiction/withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant during treatment.
Codeine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. The use of codeine by
some nursing mothers may lead to life-threatening side effects in the baby. Do not use this medication
without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults are more likely to have side effects from this medicine.
Do not give chlorpheniramine and codeine to a child younger than 6 years old.
Codeine 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.
How should I take chlorpheniramine and codeine?
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.
Do not take this medication more often than you doctor has prescribed. An overdose of
chlorpheniramine and codeine can cause life-threatening side effects.
Take chlorpheniramine and codeine with a full glass of water.
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.
Chlorpheniramine and codeine can be taken with food if it upsets your stomach.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you also have
a fever, headache, or skin rash.
Store chlorpheniramine and codeine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of how much of this medicine has been used from each new bottle. Codeine 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 and codeine?
Cough or cold medicine is usually taken only as needed, so 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 chlorpheniramine and codeine?
Your pharmacist has information about chlorpheniramine and codeine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of chlorpheniramine and codeine?
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.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
weak or shallow breathing;
-
chest tightness, fast heart rate;
-
painful urination;
-
urinating less than usual or not at all; or
-
confusion, hallucinations, or unusual behavior.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
feeling restless or excited (especially in children);
-
dizziness, drowsiness, loss of coordination;
-
ringing in your ears;
-
constipation or diarrhea;
-
nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
-
dry mouth, nose, or throat; or
-
mild itching or skin rash.
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 and codeine?
Do not take a cough and cold 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 a cough
and cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to chlorpheniramine or codeine, or if
you have severe high blood pressure or coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease, a stomach
ulcer, narrow-angle glaucoma, if you are having an asthma attack, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding,
or if you are unable to urinate.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have asthma or other breathing disorder,
glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure, seizures, a thyroid disorder, diabetes, urination problems,
stomach problems, liver or kidney disease, Addison's disease, mental illness, or a history of drug or
alcohol addiction.
Codeine 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.
Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 6 years old.
What should I avoid while taking chlorpheniramine and codeine?
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 getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly
and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Avoid drinking alcohol while using chlorpheniramine and codeine. Alcohol may increase
drowsiness and dizziness.
What other drugs will affect chlorpheniramine and codeine?
Narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures,
depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by chlorpheniramine and codeine. Tell your doctor
if you regularly use any of these medicines, or any other cold or allergy medicine.
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
-
atropine (Donnatal, and others), benztropine (Cogentin),
dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);
-
bronchodilators such as ipratroprium (Atrovent) or
tiotropium (Spiriva);
-
glycopyrrolate (Robinul);
-
mepenzolate (Cantil);
-
bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin
(Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or
solifenacin (Vesicare);
-
irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl),
hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine); or
-
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
chlorpheniramine and codeine. 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 and codeine?
