Dimetapp Nighttime Cold & Congestion

Dimetapp Nighttime Cold & Congestion is used to treat symptoms of a cold or hay fever, including nasal congestion, cough, runny nose, itchy and water eyes, and sneezing. It is a single product containing 2 ingredients: phenylephrine and diphenhydramine. Phenylephrine belongs to a group of drugs called nasal decongestants. Nasal decongestants work by narrowing the blood vessels and reducing the swelling inside your nasal passage, which allow you to breathe easier. Diphenhydramine belongs to a group of drugs called Histamine H1 Antagonists (antihistamine). It works by blocking the action of histamine and allergy symptoms, and is also known to cause sleepiness and drowsiness. 

This medication comes in a oral (by mouth) liquid, and is usually taken every 4 to 6 hours with or without food. 

Common side effects of Dimetapp Nighttime Cold & Congestion include fast heartbeat and shakiness/tremors. Dimetapp Nighttime Cold & Congestion can also cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Dimetapp Nighttime Cold & Congestion affects you.

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Cold or allergy medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 6 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.

You should not use antihistamine medication to make a child sleepy.

The chewable tablet must be chewed before swallowing.

Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.

If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the doctor ahead of time if you have taken a cold medicine within the past few days.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, or sleep medicine. Many combination medicines contain diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or phenylephrine. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of this medicine.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Dizziness.
• Feeling nervous and excitable.
• Not able to sleep.
• Feeling sleepy.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.