What is dexchlorpheniramine, methscopolamine, and phenylephrine?
Dexchlorpheniramine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in
the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.
Methscopolamine is an anticholinergic (an-tye-kol-in-URJ-ik) that has a drying effect on
the nasal passages.
Phenylephrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated
blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).
The combination of dexchlorpheniramine, methscopolamine, and phenylephrine is used to
treat runny nose, sneezing, itchy throat, watery eyes, and sinus congestion caused by allergies or
the common cold.
This medication is also used to treat skin rash, hives, or swelling caused by an allergic
reaction.
Dexchlorpheniramine, methscopolamine, 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 dexchlorpheniramine, methscopolamine, and phenylephrine?
Do not take 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 cold or allergy medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your
body.
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to dexchlorpheniramine,
methscopolamine, or phenylephrine, or if you have:
-
glaucoma;
-
heart disease;
-
high blood pressure; or
-
a thyroid disorder.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or
special tests to safely use this medication. Before you take this medication, tell your doctor if
you have:
-
a blockage in your stomach or intestines;
-
kidney disease;
-
diabetes;
-
an enlarged prostate;
-
problems with urination; or
-
if you are over 40 years old;
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to
an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during
treatment.
It is not known whether dexchlorpheniramine, methscopolamine, 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.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 6 years old.
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.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medicine.
How should I take dexchlorpheniramine, methscopolamine, 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.
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.
Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after a few days of treatment, or if
you also have a fever with headache, cough, or skin rash.
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.
Store this medicine at room temperature, away from heat, light, and moisture.
What happens if I miss a dose of dexchlorpheniramine, methscopolamine, and phenylephrine?
Since cold or allergy 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 dexchlorpheniramine, methscopolamine, and phenylephrine?
Your pharmacist has information about dexchlorpheniramine, methscopolamine, and phenylephrine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of dexchlorpheniramine, methscopolamine, 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:
-
slow heart rate;
-
fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
-
severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness;
-
painful or difficult urination;
-
urinating less than usual or not at all; or
-
increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision,
trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure).
Less serious side effects may include:
-
blurred vision;
-
dizziness, drowsiness, feeling irritable;
-
restlessness or excitability (especially in children);
-
dry mouth, trouble swallowing;
-
nausea, constipation; or
-
warmth, tingling, or redness under your skin.
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 dexchlorpheniramine, methscopolamine, and phenylephrine?
Do not take 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 cold or allergy medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your
body.
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to dexchlorpheniramine,
methscopolamine, or phenylephrine, or if you have glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure,
or a thyroid disorder.
Before you take dexchlorpheniramine, methscopolamine, and phenylephrine, tell your
doctor if you have a blockage in your stomach or intestines, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged
prostate, problems with urination, or if you are over 40 years old.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 6 years old.
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.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cold or allergy medication without first asking
your doctor or pharmacist. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too
much of a certain drug. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains
dexchlorpheniramine or phenylephrine.
What should I avoid while taking dexchlorpheniramine, methscopolamine, 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 taking diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications)
without your doctor's advice. Taking a stimulant together with a decongestant can increase your
risk of unpleasant side effects.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, cough, or allergy medication without first
asking your doctor or pharmacist. Dexchlorpheniramine and phenylephrine are contained in
many medicines available over the counter. If you take certain products together you may
accidentally take too much of a certain drug. Read the label of any other medicine you are using
to see if it contains dexchlorpheniramine or phenylephrine.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can add to drowsiness caused by an antihistamine.
What other drugs will affect dexchlorpheniramine, methscopolamine, and phenylephrine?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
-
guanethidine (Ismelin);
-
mecamylamine (Inversine);
-
methyldopa (Aldomet);
-
reserpine; or
-
a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol
(Coreg), esmolol (Brevibloc), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol),
nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), and others;
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with dexchlorpheniramine, methscopolamine, 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 dexchlorpheniramine, methscopolamine, and phenylephrine?