What is Diphenhydramine and phenylephrine?
Diphenhydramine acts as an antihistamine. Phenylephrine works as a decongestant. Combination medicine for treating runny noses, stuffy noses, itchiness, watery eyelids, and sinus congestion due to allergies, flu, or the common cold This medication guide does not list all possible uses of diphenhydramine or phenylephrine.
Side effects of Diphenhydramine and phenylephrine
If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing or facial/throat/face/lip/throat swelling - seek medical assistance immediately!
Diphenhydramine and phenylephrine can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Severe sleepiness
- Sleeplessness;
- Urination that is painful or difficult
- Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
- Trouble breathing
- Anxiety, nervousness;
- A seizure
- Problems with speech or balance
Side effects of diphenhydramine or phenylephrine include:
- Dizziness, drowsiness, headache;
- Dry mouth, nose, or throat
- Nausea, vomiting, constipation;
- Blurred vision
- Trouble sleeping
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Contact the FDA by dialing 1-800-FDA-1088 in order to report side effects.
Warnings
If you've used an MAO inhibitor in the last 14 days, do not take diphenhydramine or phenylephrine. A dangerous drug interaction may occur. MAO inhibitors are isocarboxazid (linezolid), methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine. Follow the instructions on this medication. Too much diphenhydramine may cause serious heart problems, seizures, or even death. Do not use this medicine on a child under 6 years of age. Before using any other medication that contains diphenhydramine, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Overdosing on this medication can be fatal.
Before you take this drug
If you've taken an MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days, do not take diphenhydramine or phenylephrine.Drug interactions could potentially occur.MAO inhibitors are isocarboxazid and linezolid.
If you have had the following:
- If you have asthma, COPD, a cough that is mucus-related, caused by smoking, or chronic lung disease, then this could be the cause.
- Heart disease, high blood pressure
- Urination or prostate problems;
- Glaucoma;
- Diabetes;
- A thyroid disorder.
This medication may contain phenylalanine. If you suffer from phenylketonuria, check the labels on all medications taken for it. Consult your doctor before taking this medication if you're pregnant or nursing.
How to take Diphenhydramine and phenylephrine?
Follow the instructions on the label or those prescribed by your physician. Cold and cough medicines are only to be used for a short time. Follow the directions on the label when giving cough medicine or cold medicine. Never use cough and cold medicine to put a child to sleep. Before giving medicine to your child, consult a physician. Measuring liquid medicine is important. Use either the provided dosing device or another non-spoon dose-measuring tool (not spoon). If your symptoms don't improve within 7 days or you experience a fever, headache, cough, or rash, call your doctor. Tell your doctor if you've taken cold medicine in the last few days and if you are going to need medical testing or surgery. Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for Allergic Rhinitis,
Diphenhydramine 12.5, phenylephrine 5.25 mg per 10 mL liquid: 20 mL every four hours
Maximum dose: 6 doses per 24 hours
Tablets containing Diphenhydramine 25mg or Phenylephrine 10 mg: one tablet every four hours
Maximum dose: 6 doses per 24 hours
Adult dose for cold symptoms:
Diphenhydramine 12.5, phenylephrine 5.25 mg per 10 mL liquid: 30 mL each for 4 hours
Maximum dose: 6 doses per 24 hours
Tablets containing Diphenhydramine 25mg or Phenylephrine 10 mg: one tablet every four hours
Maximum dose: 6 doses per 24 hours
The usual pediatric dose for allergic rhinitis is:
Diphenhydramine 625 mg/phenylephrine 25 mg per 5 mL of liquid:
Children aged 6–12 years: 10 mL every four hours
Maximum dose: 6 doses per 24 hours
Diphenhydramine 12.5, phenylephrine 5, mg per 10 mL of liquid:
Twelve years and older: twenty mL every four hours
Children aged 6–12 years: 10 mL every four hours
Maximum dose: 6 doses per 24 hours
Diphenhydramine 25mg and phenylephrine 5mg per tablet
12 years of age and older: Take 1 tablet every four hours.
Maximum dose: 6 doses per 24 hours
The usual pediatric dose for cold symptoms:
Diphenhydramine 625 mg/phenylephrine 25 mg per 5 mL of liquid:
Children aged 6–12 years: 10 mL every four hours
Maximum dose: 6 doses per 24 hours
Diphenhydramine 12.5, phenylephrine 5, mg per 10 mL of liquid:
Twelve years and older: twenty mL every four hours
Children aged 6–12 years: 10 mL every four hours
Maximum dose: 6 doses per 24 hours
Diphenhydramine 25mg and phenylephrine 10 mg per tablet
12 years of age and older: Take 1 tablet every four hours.
Maximum dose: 6 doses per 24 hours
What happens if I miss the dose?
You may not have a schedule for diphenhydramine or phenylephrine because they are used as needed. If it is almost time to take your next dose, skip the missed dose. Never take two doses in one go.
What happens if I overdose?
Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. A diphenhydramine overdose can be fatal. Overdose symptoms include confusion, severe sleepiness, ringing ears, dry mouth and eyes, dilated pupils, rapid heartbeats, tremors, agitation, or seizures.
What should be avoided?
Do not drive or engage in hazardous activities until you have a better understanding of how phenylephrine and diphenhydramine will affect you. You could have impaired reactions. Before using any other medication that contains diphenhydramine, consult your doctor or pharmacist. You can use medicines to treat sleep problems, allergy symptoms, or skin itch. Too much diphenhydramine can lead to an overdose. Alcohol consumption can have side effects when taken with this medication.
Interaction with other drug
Before using diphenhydramine or phenylephrine in combination with other medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist. This is especially important if you are taking drugs that cause drowsiness, such as sleep medication, opioid medication, muscle relaxers, anxiety medicines, or seizure medicine. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are currently taking and those that you have started or stopped using. Included are prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible interactions.
