acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine
Generic Name: acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine (a see tow MIN o fen, fen EER a meen, fen il EFF rin)
Brand Names: Theraflu Cold & Sore Throat, Theraflu Flu & Sore Throat, Theraflu Nighttime Severe Cold
What is acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine?
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer.
Pheniramine is an antihistamine that blocks the effects of a chemical in your body called
histamine. Pheniramine prevents sneezing, itchy or watery eyes and nose, and other symptoms of
allergies or the common cold.
Phenylephrine is a decongestant used to treat nasal congestion caused by allergies or the
common cold.
The acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine combination is used to relieve
symptoms of allergies, hay fever, and the common cold.
Acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine may also be used for purposes other
than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen,
pheniramine, and phenylephrine?
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your
doctor. Do not use the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of
acetaminophen can cause serious harm. The maximum amount of acetaminophen for adults is 1
gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. Taking more acetaminophen could
cause damage to your liver. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, talk to
your doctor before taking acetaminophen and never take more than 2 grams (2000 mg) per day.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or pain medication
without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Acetaminophen is contained in many cold and
pain medicines available over the counter. If you take certain products together you may
accidentally take too much acetaminophen. Read the label of any other medicine you are using
to see if it contains acetaminophen.
Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you drink more than
three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). You may
not be able to take acetaminophen.
Do not take this medication for longer than 7 days. Call your doctor if your
symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you also have a fever lasting 3 days or longer.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine?
Do not take acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine if you have taken an MAO
inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or
selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur,
leading to serious side effects.
Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you drink more than
three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). You may
not be able to take acetaminophen.
Do not use this medication without a doctor's advice if you have:
-
heart disease;
-
high blood pressure;
-
a thyroid disorder;
-
diabetes;
-
glaucoma;
-
asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or other breathing
disorder;
-
urination problems;
-
if you are on a low-salt diet; or
-
if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day.
Do not take acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine
without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during
treatment.
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 12 years old without the advice
of a doctor.
How should I take acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine?
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your
doctor. Do not use the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or use it for longer than
recommended.
Dissolve the contents of one packet of medicine in 8 ounces of hot water. You may
also mix the powder with 8 ounces of cool water and heat the mixture in a microwave oven. Stir
the mixture thoroughly before and after heating it. Sip the mixture slowly, making sure you
finish all of it within 10 to 15 minutes.
Do not take more than 6 packets of this medicine in one day (24 hours).
Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of
acetaminophen can cause serious harm. The maximum amount of acetaminophen for adults is 1
gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. Taking more acetaminophen could
cause damage to your liver. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, talk to
your doctor before taking acetaminophen and never take more than 2 grams (2000 mg) per day.
Do not take this medication for longer than 7 days. Call your doctor if your
symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you have new symptoms.
Store acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine at room temperature away
from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
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 the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this
medicine. Symptoms of a acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine overdose may
include nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools,
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), feeling light-headed, or fainting.
What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen, pheniramine, and
phenylephrine?
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase your risk of liver damage while taking a
medicine containing acetaminophen. Alcohol can also increase the side effects of acetaminophen,
pheniramine, and phenylephrine.
Do not take other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, diet, or sleep aids while
taking acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine without asking your doctor or
pharmacist.
Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as other cold medicine, pain
medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to
sleepiness caused by acetaminophen, pheniramine, 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.
What are the possible side effects of acetaminophen, pheniramine, 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:
-
severe sore throat that lasts longer than 2 days or occurs with
fever, nausea, or vomiting;
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fever lasting longer than 3 days; or
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redness or swelling, or any new symptoms.
Continue using this medication and talk with your doctor if you have
any of these less serious side effects:
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect acetaminophen, pheniramine, and
phenylephrine?
Do not use any other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or pain medication
without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Many over-the-counter medicines also contain
acetaminophen, pheniramine, or phenylephrine and you may accidentally take too much of these
medicines if you use several products at the same time. Read the label of any medicines you take
to be sure they do not also contain any of these three drugs.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect acetaminophen, pheniramine, 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.
Where can I get more information?
-
Your pharmacist has more information about acetaminophen, pheniramine, and
phenylephrine written for health professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine is available over-the-counter (without a
prescription) under the brand name Theraflu. Other brand or generic forms may also be
available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is
new to you.
-
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information
does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to
assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to,
and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given
drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate
for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.02. Revision Date: 7/11/06 4:41:56 PM.
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