Chlorphenesin+codeine
About Chlorphenesin+codeine
Chlorphenesin+codeine belongs to the group of medicines called 'muscle relaxant' used to reduce and relieve the muscle spasms (excessive tension in the muscles) occurring in various illness. Muscle spasm is the sudden involuntary contractions of the muscle, which can be painful and uncomfortable. When the nerve impulses that control the muscle movements are damaged or interrupted, it could lead to muscle spasms.
Chlorphenesin+codeine is a combination of two medicines: Chlorphenesin (muscle relaxant) and Codeine (pain reliever). Chlorphenesin works by inhibiting the reflexes at the spinal level and helps in relieving pain and improves muscle movements. It works on the spinal cord and brain, thereby helps in maintaining muscle strength and relieves muscle spasms or stiffness. Codeine is an opioid medication and works by preventing pain signals transmission along the nerves to the brain.
Take Chlorphenesin+codeine as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Chlorphenesin+codeine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side-effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, headache, nervousness or insomnia, nausea or upset stomach, dry mouth, vomiting, blurred vision, constipation. Most of these side-effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are suggested to talk to your doctor if you experience these side-effects persistently.
If you are allergic to Chlorphenesin+codeine or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Do not take Chlorphenesin+codeine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding as it may cause adverse effects in the baby. Chlorphenesin+codeine is not recommended for children below 12 years of age. Codeine in Chlorphenesin+codeine is a habit-forming drug, and hence there is a risk of dependence on Chlorphenesin+codeine. So, before stopping Chlorphenesin+codeine, contact a doctor as it may cause withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, increased heart rate, tremor or general unwell feeling. Inform your doctor about all the current medicines you are taking and about your health condition to rule out any unpleasant side-effects.
Uses of Chlorphenesin+codeine
Medicinal Benefits
Chlorphenesin+codeine is a combination of two medicines: Chlorphenesin (muscle relaxant) and Codeine (pain reliever). Chlorphenesin is a muscle relaxant (relaxes the muscle and treat the muscle pain) which works by inhibiting the reflexes at the spinal level and helps in relieving pain and improves muscle movements. It works on the brain and spinal cord centers to relieve muscle hardness or spasms and improve pain and movement of muscles. Codeine is a narcotic analgesic or pain reliever which works by blocking the mu-opioid receptors, which are involved in the transmission of pain in the brain and throughout the body and reduce pain. Chlorphenesin+codeine is used for short-term pain relief.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Chlorphenesin+codeine
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Headache
- Nervousness
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Upset Stomach
- Dry Mouth
- Vomiting
- Blurred Vision
- Constipation
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Chlorphenesin+codeine or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Do not take Chlorphenesin+codeine for a prolonged time; it contains codeine that may lead to mental or physical dependence on Chlorphenesin+codeine. Do not take Chlorphenesin+codeine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding as it may cause adverse effects in the baby. Chlorphenesin+codeine is not recommended for children below 12 years of age. Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days as a dangerous drug interaction could occur. Chlorphenesin+codeine should be taken with extreme caution in patients who have a history of alcoholism or drug abuse. Talk to your doctor before taking Chlorphenesin+codeine if you have kidney or liver problems, mental disorders, breathing difficulty or lung disease, diabetes, difficulty in urination, high blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease or if you ever had a stroke. Use caution when driving, operating machinery or performing other hazardous activities. Chlorphenesin+codeine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Avoid drinking alcohol while on this drug as it increases the risk of side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Chlorphenesin+codeine may have interaction with anti-allergic drugs (diphenhydramine, cetirizine, brompheniramine, diphenhydramine, fexofenadine), cough suppressants (dextromethorphan), antidepressants (duloxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, trazodone), narcotic analgesics (hydrocodone, bupropion, morphine, oxycodone, propoxyphene, fentanyl) antianxiety drug (alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam, temazepam), fits related drugs (phenytoin, clonazepam, carbamazepine).
Drug-Food Interaction: Chlorphenesin+codeine may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid alcohol consumption with Chlorphenesin+codeine as it may increase the risk of fatal side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, slow your breathing or death.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have chronic bronchitis, asthma, drug dependence, high blood pressure, fits, glaucoma, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), blockage in stomach or intestines, phenylketonuria (a birth defect that causes accumulation of amino acid, phenylalanine in the body), enlarged prostate, pheochromocytoma (tumour in the adrenal glands), kidney, liver, heart or urinary problems, inform your doctor before taking Chlorphenesin+codeine.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Chlorphenesin+codeine as it may increase the risk of drowsiness and other adverse effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeChlorphenesin+codeine is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Chlorphenesin+codeine can have some harmful effects on the baby (foetus). Please consult your doctor. So your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Breast Feeding
unsafeChlorphenesin+codeine may be excreted in breast milk and cause harm to the baby. Therefore, Chlorphenesin+codeine should not be used in breastfeeding mothers without a doctor’s advice.
Driving
unsafeChlorphenesin+codeine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision or impair thinking in some people. Therefore, drive only if you are alert after taking Chlorphenesin+codeine.
Liver
cautionTake Chlorphenesin+codeine with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Chlorphenesin+codeine with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafeChlorphenesin+codeine is not recommended for children below 12 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Exercising regularly helps in muscle stretching so that they are less likely to spasm, tear and sprain. Mild exercises such as jogging and walking are helpful for muscle stretching.
- Massages can also be helpful.
- Avoid extremely cold and hot temperatures.
- Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes, instead, wear loose garments.
- Rest well, get plenty of sleep.
- To avoid developing pressure sores, change your position at least every two hours.
- Hot or cold therapy can be helpful in treating muscle spasms. Apply an ice-pack or hot-pack on the muscle for 15-20minutes.
- Stay hydrated, drink plenty of water.
Special Advise
- To avoid getting addicted to this drug take it only in prescribed quantities and only as directed by your doctor. Do not self-medicate.
- Chlorphenesin+codeine causes drowsiness. Avoid doing activities that require your complete focus and attention like driving when on this drug.
- An abrupt stoppage of Chlorphenesin+codeine can lead to significant withdrawal symptoms. Always discuss with your doctor about decreasing the dosage before completely stopping its usage.
- Avoid consuming alcohol while on this medication as it can lead to dangerous side effects.
- Chlorphenesin+codeine is unsafe for usage if you're pregnant or plan to get pregnant and breastfeeding. Discuss with your doctor in such situations about changing/replacing the medicine with safer alternatives.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Muscle spasm: It is the sudden involuntary contractions of the muscle, which can be painful and uncomfortable. When the nerve impulses that control the muscle movements are damaged or interrupted, it could lead to muscle spasms. Symptoms include muscle tightness, joint stiffness, unusual posture, difficulty in moving, pain in affected muscles and joints. Fatigue (weakness), stress, extreme heat or cold, infection and tight clothing can trigger muscle spasms. Muscle relaxants and exercise can treat muscle spasms. Muscle relaxants sedate the muscle and help in inhibiting painful contractions. Exercise helps in muscle stretching so that they are less likely to spasm, tear or sprain.
FAQs
Chlorphenesin+codeine contains chlorphenesin and codeine. chlorphenesin works on the centers of the spinal cord and brain, thereby helps in maintaining muscle strength and relieves muscle spasms or stiffness. codeine works by blocking pain signals transmission along the nerves to the brain.
Do not take Chlorphenesin+codeine with 'cetirizine' as co-administration of these two medicines may increase adverse effects such as sedation, respiratory depression, coma and even death. However, please consult a doctor before taking Chlorphenesin+codeine with other medicines.
Dry mouth could be a side-effect of Chlorphenesin+codeine. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol, drinking water regularly and chewing sugar-free gum/candy might help in stimulating saliva and thereby prevents drying of the mouth.
Do not discontinue Chlorphenesin+codeine without consulting your doctor. Discontinuing Chlorphenesin+codeine suddenly might experience withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, widened pupils (black circles in the center of the eyes), teary eyes, irritability, anxiety, runny nose, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, yawning, sweating, fast breathing, fast heartbeat, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, muscle aches, or backache, muscle rigidity, increased heart rate, changes in mood, fever, mental disorders, confusion, hallucinations and fits (seizures). Talk to your doctor if you feel any difficulty while taking Chlorphenesin+codeine; your doctor will reduce the dose gradually.
Do not use Chlorphenesin+codeine at a time when muscle tone is required for safe balance and movement during certain activities. In some conditions, it may be dangerous for you to have low or reduced muscle tone. Please do not drink alcohol with Chlorphenesin+codeine as it can cause side effects. Avoid driving or performing hazardous tasks until you know how Chlorphenesin+codeine will affect you and your reactions could be impaired.