What is Chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and phenyltoloxamine?
Chlorpheniramine and phenyltoloxamine are antihistamines that reduce the effects on the body of the natural chemical histamine. Histamine may cause symptoms like sneezing and itching. It can also lead to watery eyes and a runny or stuffy nose. Phenylephrine shrinks the blood vessels of the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause congestion in the nasal passages. Combination medicine that contains chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and phenyltoloxamine can be used to treat allergies, colds, flu, and symptoms such as a runny nose or sneezing. Chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine will not cure a cough caused by asthma or emphysema, nor can they treat coughs that are the result of smoking. This medication guide does not list all possible uses for chlorpheniramine or phenylephrine.
Side effects of Chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and phenyltoloxamine
If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing or swelling to lips, face, tongue or throat. Seek medical assistance immediately!
This medicine can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Fast or irregular heart rate
- If you feel your heart pounding or fluttering, then this is a sign that you are experiencing a cardiac arrest.
- The urination is difficult or painful, or there is little or no urinating.
- Tremors, seizure (convulsions);
- Vision changes, severe dizziness, and feeling like you might pass out.
Side effects that may occur from chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and phenyltoloxamine include:
- Headache, dizziness, drowsiness;
- Dry mouth, nose, or throat
- Constipation, loss of appetite, upset stomach
- Blurred vision
- Sleep problems (insomnia);
- Feeling restless or excited, especially in children
There may be other side effects. Call your physician if experiencing side effects; to report side effects contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Similar/related drugs
Benadryl, diphenhydramine, epinephrine topical, chlorpheniramine, pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine nasal, and sodium chloride nasal
Warnings
You should not take this medication if you've taken an MAO inhibitor in the last 14 days. Drug interactions can occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.
Before you take this drug
If you have taken a MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days, do not take this medication. It is possible that a dangerous drug interaction will occur. MAO inhibitors are isocarboxazid (linezolid), methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and selegiline.
Inform your physician of any of the following to make sure this medication is suitable for you:
- A blockage of your digestive tract, such as the stomach or intestines;
- High blood pressure Heart Disease Coronary Artery Disease
- Glaucoma;
- Liver or kidney disease
- Chronic bronchitis, asthma, COPD, coughing up mucus, or smoking
- Other urination issues or bladder obstruction
- Pheochromocytoma
- Overactive thyroid gland;
- If you are taking potassium (Cytra Epiklor K-Lyte K-Phos Kaon Klor-Con Polycitra Urocit-K),
FDA pregnancy class C It's not known if chlorpheniramine and other medications in this category will harm a baby. You should tell your doctor if this medication is causing you to become pregnant. This medicine may pass into breastmilk and harm a nursing infant. Antihistamines, decongestants, and other medications can also reduce the production of breast milk. You should tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding a child.
How to take Chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and phenyltoloxamine?
Do not exceed the recommended dosage or duration. Use the recommended dose or duration. Do not exceed it. Cold or cough medicine is typically taken for only a few days until symptoms disappear. This medication should not be given to children younger than four years of age. Ask a doctor first before giving cough and cold medications to children. Children as young as 4 years old can die from the misuse of cough medicines. Do not chew or crush a tablet. Swallow the entire tablet. Use a medicine cup or spoon to measure liquid medicines. Ask your pharmacist if you don't have a device for measuring doses. Tell your doctor or surgeon, if you've taken this medication within the last few days, if you are going to need medical testing or surgery. Take the medication for no more than seven days. Speak to your doctor if symptoms don't improve after seven days or you experience a fever and headache with a skin rash. Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature.
What happens if I miss the dose?
You may not have a schedule for taking chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and phenyltoloxamine. Take the missed dose immediately if you take the medication regularly. If your next scheduled dosage is approaching, 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?
Alcohol can enhance certain side effects of chlorpheniramine. Before using any other allergy, cold, 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. This medication can cause blurred or double vision, and it may affect your ability to think clearly. You should be careful when driving or doing anything else that requires alertness and the ability to see clearly. Avoid overheating or dehydration during exercise and hot weather. Chlorpheniramine or phenyltoloxamine may decrease sweating, making you more susceptible to heatstroke.
Interaction with other drug
Inform your doctor of all the medicines you take, including over-the-counter and prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies. When used together, some medicines can have unwanted or harmful effects. This medication guide does not list all possible interactions. These effects can be worsened by taking chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine with other drugs that make you sleepy or reduce your breathing. Consult your doctor before combining chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and phenyltoloxamine in a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medication, muscle relaxer, or medicine to treat anxiety, depression, or seizures.
