chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine
Generic Name: chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine (klor fen IR a meen/fen ill EFF rin/fen ill proe pa NOLE a meen)
Brand Names: Hista-Vadrin
What is chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine?
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.
Phenylephrine and phenylpropanolamine are decongestants. They constrict blood vessels
(veins and arteries). This reduces the blood flow to certain areas and allows nasal passages to
open up.
Chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine is used to treat nasal congestion
and sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses) associated with allergies, hay fever, and the common
cold.
Phenylpropanolamine, an ingredient in this product, has been associated with an increased
risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain or into tissue surrounding the brain) in
women. Men may also be at risk. Although the risk of hemorrhagic stroke is low, the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that consumers not use any products that contain
phenylpropanolamine.
Chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine 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/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine?
Phenylpropanolamine, an ingredient in this product, has been associated with an increased
risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain or into tissue surrounding the brain) in
women. Men may also be at risk. Although the risk of hemorrhagic stroke is low, the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that consumers not use any products that contain
phenylpropanolamine.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine may cause dizziness or
drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking
chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine.
Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. If your symptoms do not
improve, or if they worsen, talk to your doctor.
Who should not take chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine?
Do not take chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine if you have taken
a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or
tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading
to serious side effects.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
-
kidney disease,
-
liver disease,
-
diabetes,
-
glaucoma,
-
any type of heart disease or high blood pressure,
-
thyroid disease,
-
emphysema or chronic bronchitis, or
-
difficulty urinating or an enlarged prostate.
You may not be able to take
chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine, or you may require a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine is in the FDA pregnancy
category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication
without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
This medication passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not take
this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects
from chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine. You may require a lower dose of
this medication.
Read the package label for directions or consult your doctor or pharmacist before
treating a child with this medication. Children are more susceptible than adults to the effects of
medicines and may have unusual reactions.
How should I take chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine?
Take chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine exactly as directed. If you do
not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Do not crush, chew, or break the long-acting or sustained release forms of this
medication. Swallow them whole. If you are unsure of the formulation of the medicine, ask your
pharmacist for help.
If you cannot swallow the tablets or capsules, look for a liquid form of the medication.
Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of this
medication can cause serious harm.
Do not take chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine for longer than 7 days
in a row. If your symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you have a fever, talk to your
doctor.
Store chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine at room temperature
away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next
dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of a chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine overdose include a
dry mouth, large pupils, flushing, nausea, and vomiting.
What should I avoid while taking
chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine?
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine may cause dizziness or
drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking
chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine.
What are the possible side effects of
chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine?
Serious side effects are unlikely to occur. Stop taking
chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine and seek emergency medical attention if
you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your
lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take
chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine and talk to your doctor or try another
similar medication if you experience
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/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine?
Do not take chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine if you have taken
a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or
tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading
to serious side effects.
Do not take other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, diet, or sleep aids while taking
chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine without first talking to your doctor or
pharmacist. Other medications may also contain chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine,
phenylpropanolamine, or other similar drugs. You may accidentally take too much of these
medicines.
Chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine may increase the effects of other
drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, other antihistamines, pain
relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation,
dizziness, or drowsiness may occur if chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine is
taken with any of these medications.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with
chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist
before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Where can I get more information?
-
Your pharmacist has additional information about
chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine written for health professionals that you
may read.
What does my medication look like?
Chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine is available with a prescription
under the brand name Hista-Vadrin. Other brand or generic formulations 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: 5.03. Revision Date: 2/13/04 4:04:11 PM.
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