What is Chlorcyclizine and phenylephrine?
Chlorcyclizine, an antihistamine, reduces the effects that histamine has on the body. Histamine may cause symptoms such as sneezing and itching. It can also lead to watery eyes and a runny or blocked nose.Phenylephrine shrinks the blood vessels of the nasal passages. Nasal congestion may be caused by expanded blood vessels.Chlorcyclizine combined with phenylephrine can be used to treat symptoms such as runny nose or congestion, sneezing and itching, watery eyes, sinus congestion, and other allergy or cold symptoms.This medication guide does not list all possible uses for chlorcyclizine or phenylephrine.
Side effects of Chlorcyclizine and phenylephrine
If you experience symptoms indicative of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing and swelling to lips, face, tongue or throat - please seek medical assistance immediately.
Chlorcyclizine or phenylephrine can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Fast or irregular heart rate
- Tremor, seizure (convulsions);
- Urinating less or not at all is a sign of urinating.
- High blood pressure can be dangerous (headache, blurred vision or buzzing in the ears, confusion, anxiety, chest pains, irregular heartbeats, and seizures).
Side effects common to chlorcyclizine or phenylephrine include:
- Dizziness, drowsiness;
- Constipation;
- Blurred vision
- Feeling nervous or restless?
There may be other side effects. Call your physician immediately if experiencing symptoms related to side effects; alternatively, for FDA reporting purposes call them at 1-800-FDA-1088 and submit reports at their website.
Warnings
If you've taken an MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days, do not take chlorcyclizine or phenylephrine. A dangerous medication interaction may occur. MAO inhibitors are isocarboxazid (linezolid), phenelzine (phenelzine injection), rasagiline (selegiline), methylene blue injection, and others.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to phenylephrine or chlorcyclizine, then do not use the combination.If you've taken an MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days, do not take chlorcyclizine or phenylephrine. It is possible that a dangerous drug interaction will occur. MAO inhibitors are isocarboxazid (linezolid), methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and other drugs.
If you have any other medical conditions or concerns, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether it's safe to take the medicine.
- High blood pressure
- Hardened Arteries
- If you have a bladder obstruction or any other problems with urination, then this is the problem for you.
- If you are taking potassium (Cytra Polycitra Urocit K, K-Lyte K-Phos, Kaon Klor-Con Polycitra),
This medication is not known to harm an unborn child. If you are pregnant, do not take cough and cold medicines without consulting your doctor.This medicine can pass into breastmilk and harm a nursing infant. Decongestants and antihistamines can also reduce breast milk production. If you are breastfeeding, do not take cough and cold medicines without consulting your doctor.
How to take Chlorcyclizine and phenylephrine?
Do not exceed the recommended dosage or duration. Use only the recommended dose. Do not exceed it. Cold medicines are usually only taken for a few days until the symptoms disappear.This medication should not be given to children younger than four years of age. Ask a doctor first before giving cough or cold medication to your child. Children as young as 4 can die due to misuse of cough medicines.Chew the chewable tablet before swallowing it.Use a medicine cup or spoon to measure liquid medicines. Ask your pharmacist if you don't have a device for measuring doses.If your symptoms don't improve within 7 days or you experience a fever, headache, cough, or rash, call your doctor.Tell your doctor or surgeon if you've taken cold medicine in the last few days.Store away from moisture or heat at room temperature. Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for nasal congestion:
Chlorcyclizine-phenylephrine 12.5 mg–5 mg oral tablet, chewable:
Take 2 tablets every 6–8 hours, but not more than 3 times a day.
Chlorcyclizine-phenylephrine 12.5 mg-5 mg/5 ml oral liquid:
Do not exceed 30 ml per day.
Chlorcyclizine-phenylephrine 25 mg–10 mg oral tablet:
Take 1 tablet every 6–8 hours, but not more than 3 times daily.
Usual paediatric dose for nasal congestion:
Chlorcyclizine-phenylephrine 12.5 mg–5 mg oral tablet, chewable:
From 2 to 5 years old: chew 0.5 tablets every 6 to 8 hours, but not more than 3 doses per day.
From 6 to 11: Chew 1 tablet every 6 to 8 hours, but not more than 3 doses per day.
Do not exceed 3 doses per day for 12-year-olds.
Chlorcyclizine-phenylephrine 12.5 mg-5 mg/5 ml oral liquid:
From 2 to 5 years old: 2.5 ml every 6–8 hours orally, not exceeding 7.5 ml per day.
From 6 to 11: 5 ml every 6–8 hours, not exceeding 15 ml per day.
For 12 years and older: 10 ml orally, every 6–8 hours. Maximum: 30 ml per day.
Chlorcyclizine-phenylephrine 25 mg–10 mg oral tablet:
From 6 to 11: Take 0.5 tablets every 6–8 hours, but not more than 3 doses per day.
Do not exceed 3 doses per day for 12-year-olds.
What happens if I miss the dose?
You may not have a regular schedule of dosages, as cold medicines are taken only when necessary. Take the missed dose immediately if you take the medication regularly. If your next scheduled dosage is near, skip the missed dose. You should not take more medicine to compensate for a missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Chlorcyclizine or phenylephrine can cause blurred vision and affect your ability to think and react. You should be careful when driving or doing anything else that requires alertness and the ability to see clearly.Certain side effects can be exacerbated by alcohol consumption.Before using any other cough, cold, allergy, or sleep medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Many combination medications contain antihistamines or decongestants. You can take too much medication by taking certain products together. You can check the label of a medication to see if it contains antihistamines or decongestants.
Interaction with other drug
Before using this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you also use any other medications, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. When used together, some medicines can have unwanted or harmful effects. This medication guide does not list all potential interactions.This medicine can have a worse effect if taken with drugs that slow breathing or make you sleepy. You should consult your doctor before taking phenylephrine and chlorcyclizine with sleeping pills, narcotic pain medicines, muscle relaxers, or medications for anxiety, depression, or seizures.
