What is dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine?
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger
cough reflex.
Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages.
Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).
Pyrilamine 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 dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine is used to treat
runny or stuffy nose, cough, and other symptoms caused by allergies or the common cold.
Dextromethorphan will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or
emphysema.
Dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine may also be used for other purposes
not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine?
Do not use a cough and 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 and cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to dextromethorphan,
pseudoephedrine, or pyrilamine, or if you have:
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or
special tests to safely use this medication. Before using dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine,
and pyrilamine, tell your doctor if you have:
FDA pregnancy category C. Dextromethorphan,
pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are
pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine may pass into breast milk and
could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medicine.
How should I take dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine?
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. 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.
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.
Store dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine at room temperature away
from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose of dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine?
Since cough or 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 dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine?
Your pharmacist has information about dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine?
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 dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine and call your doctor
at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
-
feeling like you might pass out;
-
fast or pounding heartbeats;
-
painful or difficult urination;
-
wheezing, tight feeling in your chest, trouble breathing;
-
easy bruising or bleeding;
-
pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion
or weakness; or
-
high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision,
buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats,
seizure).
Less serious side effects may include:
-
dizziness, drowsiness, nervousness;
-
restlessness or excitability (especially in children);
-
dry mouth, nose, or throat;
-
nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, upset stomach;
-
diarrhea, constipation;
-
itching or skin rash;
-
increased sensitivity of your skin to sunlight;
-
loss of balance or coordination;
-
sleep problems (insomnia); or
-
headache.
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 dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine?
Do not use a cough and 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 and cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to dextromethorphan,
pseudoephedrine, or pyrilamine, or if you have high blood pressure, circulation problems, if you
are having an asthma attack, or if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Before you take dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine, tell your doctor if
you have allergies, a stomach ulcer, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, heart disease,
diabetes, glaucoma, a thyroid disorder, or urination problems.
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.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking this medication. Alcohol can add to
drowsiness caused by an antihistamine.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or sleep medication
without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Antihistamines, decongestants, and cough
suppressants are contained in many medicines available over the counter. 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, decongestant,
or cough suppressant.
What should I avoid while taking dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine?
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. Alcohol can add to
drowsiness caused by an antihistamine.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or sleep medication
without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Antihistamines, decongestants, and cough
suppressants are contained in many medicines available over the counter. 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, decongestant,
or cough suppressant.
What other drugs will affect dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine?
Before using dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine, tell your doctor if
you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine,
narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or
anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and
pyrilamine.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine. 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 dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine?