Dicel DM

Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

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

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

Chlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan, and pseudoephedrine is a combination medicine used to treat cough, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itching, and watery eyes caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

This medicine will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

Chlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan, and pseudoephedrine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Do not use chlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan, and pseudoephedrine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• asthma or COPD, cough with mucus, or cough caused by smoking, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis;

• a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines);

• high blood pressure, heart disease;

• liver or kidney disease;

• glaucoma;

• cough with mucus, or cough caused by emphysema or chronic bronchitis;

• enlarged prostate or urination problems;

• pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumor);

• overactive thyroid; or

• if you take potassium (Cytra, Epiklor, K-Lyte, K-Phos, Kaon, Klor-Con, Polycitra, Urocit-K).

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether chlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan, and pseudoephedrine will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are pregnant.

This medicine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Antihistamines and decongestants may also slow breast milk production. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Applies to chlorpheniramine / dextromethorphan / pseudoephedrine: oral liquid, oral suspension extended release, oral tablet chewable

Nervous system

Nearly all patients treated with chlorpheniramine experience drowsiness. This drowsiness may subside in some patients with extended use.

Few cases of dyskinesias and tremors, often of the face, have been reported in patients whose chronic use of chlorpheniramine extended over a period of 3 to 10 years. Some of these cases were only partially relieved by discontinuation of the drug. Haloperidol was successful in relieving symptoms.[Ref]

Nervous system side effects of chlorpheniramine have included drowsiness in 75% or more of treated patients. Dyskinesias have rarely been reported following chronic use of chlorpheniramine.

Nervous system side effects of dextromethorphan have included drowsiness and dizziness. Other side effects such as excitation, mental confusion, and opioid like respiratory depression have been rare and occurred at higher dosages. In some cases of abuse, patients experienced euphoria, hyperactivity, mania, and auditory and visual hallucinations.

Nervous system side effects of pseudoephedrine have included insomnia in up to 30% of patients. Tremor, anxiety, nervousness, and headache have also been reported.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects of chlorpheniramine have included dry mouth and constipation in up to one-third of treated patients.

Gastrointestinal side effects of dextromethorphan have included stomach upset.

Gastrointestinal side effects of pseudoephedrine have included anorexia and gastric irritation in approximately 5% of patients. Dry mouth, nose, or throat have occurred in up to 15% of patients.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Pseudoephedrine causes vasoconstriction which generally does not produce hypertension, but may be problematic for patients with preexisting hypertension. Arrhythmias may be produced in predisposed patients. Rarely, pseudoephedrine has been reported to cause coronary artery spasm and chest pain.

One report evaluated the effect with 60 mg of pseudoephedrine on individuals in a hyperbaric chamber at 1 atmosphere (simulated scuba dive to 66 feet of sea water). Pseudoephedrine and depth (simulated) were found to have significant but opposite effects on heart rate, although these effects were unlikely to be clinically significant during diving.[Ref]

Cardiovascular side effects of chlorpheniramine have included hypotension, tachycardia, and palpitations.

Cardiovascular side effects of pseudoephedrine have included tachycardia. Some patients have developed hypertension and/or arrhythmias.[Ref]

Ocular

Ocular effects of chlorpheniramine have included blurred vision, diplopia, and dry eyes due to anticholinergic effects.[Ref]

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects of chlorpheniramine have included dysuria, urinary hesitancy, and a decreased urine flow. In rare cases, the anticholinergic effect of chlorpheniramine has precipitated acute urinary retention.[Ref]

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects of chlorpheniramine have included bone marrow suppression, thrombocytopenia, and aplastic anemia.[Ref]

A fatal case of agranulocytosis has been reported in a patient taking chlorpheniramine, pseudoephedrine, acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, phenylpropanolamine, and aspirin. Chlorpheniramine was felt to be the cause.[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects of dextromethorphan have included rare reports of fixed-drug eruptions.

Hypersensitivity side effects of pseudoephedrine have included fixed-drug eruptions.[Ref]

Some side effects of Dicel DM may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.