What is codeine and phenylephrine?
Codeine is a narcotic 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 codeine and phenylephrine is used to treat cough and nasal congestion
caused by the common cold.
Codeine will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.
Codeine 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 codeine and phenylephrine?
Do not use 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 a cough
and cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
You should not use codeine and phenylephrine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to
it, or if you have:
-
severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
-
severe coronary artery disease;
-
ischemic heart disease (reduced circulation of blood to the
heart); or
-
if you are breast-feeding a baby.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take codeine and phenylephrine:
-
heart disease or high blood pressure;
-
asthma, COPD, emphysema, or other breathing disorder;
-
diabetes;
-
a thyroid disorder; or
-
enlarged prostate, urination problems.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be 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 while you are taking this medication.
This medication 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.
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 codeine and phenylephrine?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label. 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. Codeine
and phenylephrine should not be given to a child younger than 6 years old.
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.
Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you
have a fever with a headache or skin rash.
Store codeine and phenylephrine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of how much of this medicine has been used from the 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 codeine and phenylephrine?
Since cough and 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 codeine and phenylephrine?
Your pharmacist has information about codeine and phenylephrine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of codeine 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 any of these serious side
effects:
-
fast or pounding heartbeat;
-
feeling like you might pass out;
-
chest tightness or congestion;
-
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
-
severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness;
-
seizure (convulsions); or
-
painful or difficult urination.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
dizziness, drowsiness, headache;
-
dry mouth, nose, or throat;
-
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation;
-
increased sweating or urination;
-
feeling excited or restless;
-
sleep problems (insomnia);
-
blurred vision, dry eyes;
-
ringing in your ears; or
-
mild skin rash or itching.
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.
What is the most important information I should know about codeine and phenylephrine?
Do not use 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 a cough
and cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
You should not use codeine and phenylephrine if you are allergic to it, or if you have severe or
uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease (reduced
circulation of blood to the heart), or if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have heart disease or high blood pressure,
asthma or other breathing disorder, diabetes, a thyroid disorder, an enlarged prostate, or problems with
urination.
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. Codeine
and phenylephrine should not be given to a child younger than 6 years old.
What should I avoid while taking codeine 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 while you are taking this medication.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking
your doctor or pharmacist. Phenylephrine is contained in many medicines available over the counter. If
you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this drug. Read the label of
any other medicine you are using to see if it contains phenylephrine.
What other drugs will affect codeine and phenylephrine?
Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as pain
medication, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can
add to sleepiness caused by codeine and phenylephrine.
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
-
medicines to treat high blood pressure;
-
a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol
(Cartrol), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol
(Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others; or
-
an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil),
clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
codeine 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 codeine and phenylephrine?
