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Generic Name: chlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan (klor feh NEER a meen and dex troe meh THOR fan)
Brand Names: Coricidin Cough and Cold, Effective Strength Cough Syrup, Primatuss 4, Scot-Tussin Sugar Free DM, Tricodene Sugar Free

What is chlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan?

Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine. It blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in the body. Chlorpheniramine prevents sneezing; itchy, watery eyes and nose; and other symptoms of allergies and hay fever.

Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.

The combination of chlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan is used to treat sneezing, itching, watery eyes, runny nose, and cough caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

Chlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about chlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking chlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• glaucoma;

• kidney disease;

• liver disease;

• diabetes;

• glaucoma;

• heart disease or high blood pressure;

• thyroid disease;

• emphysema or chronic bronchitis;

• an enlarged prostate; or

• problems with urination.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use this medication, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Artificially-sweetened liquid forms of this medicine may contain phenylalanine. This would be important to know if you have phenylketonuria (PKU). Check the ingredients and warnings on the medication label if you are concerned about phenylalanine.

How should I take chlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan?

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 use it for longer than recommended. Cold medicine is usually taken for only a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Measure the liquid form of this 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.

The chewable tablet should be chewed before you swallow it.

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.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time if you have taken a cold medicine within the past few days.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of an overdose may include feeling restless or nervous, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, warmth or tingly feeling, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking chlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan?

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather.

Avoid taking diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications) without your doctor's advice. Taking a stimulant together with cough or cold medicine can increase your risk of unpleasant side effects.

What are the possible side effects of chlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan?

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;

• slow, shallow breathing;

• severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness;

• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;

• urinating less than usual or not at all; or

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.

Keep using the medication and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• dry mouth;

• nausea, stomach pain, constipation;

• blurred vision;

• dizziness, drowsiness;

• problems with memory or concentration;

• ringing in your ears; or

• restlessness or excitability (especially in children).

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 chlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• a diuretic (water pill), or blood pressure medication;

• medication to treat irritable bowel syndrome;

• bladder or urinary medications such as oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol) or tolterodine (Detrol);

• aspirin or salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doan's Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others); or

• antidepressant medications such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), others.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use chlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect chlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan. 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 information about chlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Chlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan is available over-the-counter (without a prescription) in many different brand and generic formulations. 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.