Chlorpheniramine-dihydrocodeine-pseudoephedrine Oral Syrup

CHLORPHENIRAMINE; DIHYDROCODEINE; PSEUDOEPHEDRINE (klor fen IR a meen; dye hye droe KOE deen; soo doe e FED rin) is an antihistamine, cough suppressant, and decongestant combination. It is used to treat the cough and congestion of colds and other respiratory infections. It is also used to treat the symptoms of allergy. This medicine will not treat an infection.

This drug also comes in other forms, including Oral solution

This drug can cause serious side effects. See which side effects you should report to your doctor right away.

Know how to use your medication, and learn what might happen if you miss a dose.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any of these conditions.

Know what to watch for and get tips for reducing your risks while taking this drug.

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
• breathing problems
• changes in emotions or moods
• changes in vision
• confusion
• fast, irregular heartbeat
• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
• hallucinations
• high or low blood pressure
• seizures
• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

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 mouth, nose, or throat
• headache
• loss of appetite
• nausea, vomiting
• unusual sweating
• trouble sleeping

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• alcohol
• barbiturates like phenobarbital
• certain heart medicines like metoprolol and methyldopa
• medicines for blood pressure
• medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
• medicines for sleep
• muscle relaxers
• naltrexone
• narcotic pain medicines
• other medicines for cold, cough, or allergy
• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine

Take this medicine by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure each dose. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it 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 2 years old for selected conditions, precautions do apply. Do not give this medicine to children under 2 years old.

Patients over 60 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• diabetes
• drug abuse or addiction
• glaucoma
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• if you have taken an MAOI like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate in last 14 days
• intestinal problems
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• lung or breathing disease, like asthma
• stomach ulcer
• trouble passing urine
• an unusual or allergic reaction to chlorpheniramine, codeine, dihydrocodeine, hydrocodone, pseudoephedrine, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

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.

Use exactly as directed by your doctor or health care professional. Do not take more than the recommended dose. 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. Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

If you have been taking this medicine for a long time, do not suddenly stop taking it 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 nonmedical 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.

Children may be at higher risk for side effects. If your child has slow breathing, noisy breathing, confusion, or unusual sleepiness, stop giving this medicine and get medical help right away.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

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.

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 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.