What is this medicine?
CHLORPHENIRAMINE; HYDROCODONE; PHENYLEPHRINE (klor fen IR a meen; hye droe KOE done; fen il EF rin) is a cough and cold medicine. It helps to relieve a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and cough. It also helps to reduce congestion or stuffy nose. This medicine is used to treat the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. It medicine will not treat an infection.
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What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
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They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-asthma
-chronic cough
-diabetes
-difficulty passing urine
-heart disease
-high blood pressure
-peripheral vascular disease
-phenylketonuria
-an unusual or allergic reaction to Chlorpheniramine; Hydrocodone; Phenylephrine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
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Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Shake well before using. If this medicine upsets your stomach, take it with food or milk . Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure your medicine. Household spoons are not accurate. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 6 years old for selected conditions, precautions do apply. This medicine is not approved for use in children less than 6 years old.
What if I miss a dose?
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If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medicine?
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Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
-antihistamines for allergy, cough and cold
-MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
-medicines for weight loss
-procarbazine
-some medicines for migraine headaches
-stimulants
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
-alcohol
-barbiturates like phenobarbital
-heart medicines
-medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
-medicines for sleep
-muscle relaxants
-narcotic medicines (opiates) for pain
-phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
-some medicines used during surgery
-tramadol
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
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Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 1 week. If you also have a high fever, skin rash, continuing headache, or sore throat, see your doctor. You may develop tolerance to this medicine if you take it for a long time. Tolerance means that you will get less cough relief with time.
Do not suddenly stop taking your medicine because you may develop a severe reaction. Your body becomes used to the medicine. This does NOT mean you are addicted. Addiction is a behavior related to getting and using a drug for a non-medical reason. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
The medicine will cause constipation. Try to have a bowel movement at least every 2 to 3 days. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, call your doctor or health care professional.
This medicine may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your eye doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
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Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
-allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
-change in vision
-chest pain, tightness
-cold, clammy skin
-confusion, anxiety, fear
-difficulty passing urine
-fainting
-fast or irregular heartbeat
-high or low blood pressure
-slow or troubled breathing
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
-constipation
-dry eyes
-dry mouth
-headache
-nausea, vomiting
-stomach upset
Where should I keep my medicine?
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Keep out of the reach of children. This medicine can be abused. Keep your medicine in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not share this medicine with anyone. Selling or giving away this medicine is dangerous and against the law.
Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Do not freeze. Keep container tightly closed.
Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date. Discard unused medicine and used packaging carefully. Pets and children can be harmed if they find used or lost packages.
Information on use before, during and after pregnancy.
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FIRST Trimester
Class C - Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. OR No animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
SECOND Trimester
Class C - Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. OR No animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
THIRD Trimester
Class C - Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. OR No animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
