Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan
About
Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan is primarily used to treat dry cough. Coughing (dry or productive) is the body’s way of clearing irritants (like allergens, mucus or smoke) from airways and preventing infection. There are two types of coughs, namely: Dry cough and chesty cough. A dry cough is tickly and doesn't produce any vicious or thick mucus, while a chesty cough (wet cough) means mucous or sputum is produced to help clear the airways.
Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan is a combination of two drugs, namely: Chlorphenamine maleate (antihistamine) and Dextromethorphan (cough suppressant). Chlorphenamine maleate belongs to the class of antihistamines or anti-allergic that works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. It helps to provide relief from symptoms of allergy such as sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, itching, swelling, and congestion or stiffness. On the other hand, Dextromethorphan belongs to the class of cough suppressants that works by blocking the transmission of nerve signals from the cough centre in the brain to the muscles that produce cough. Together, Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan helps relieve cough, cold and allergic symptoms.
Take Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan with or without food as advised by your doctor with the help of a measuring cup. Your doctor will recommend how often you take Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan based on your medical condition. Some people may experience dry mouth, throat, or nose, drowsiness, blurred vision, constipation, dizziness, restlessness or excitation. Most of these side effects of Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor before using Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan. Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan is not recommended for children below 2 years of age. If you have glaucoma, urinary problems, enlarged prostate, phenylketonuria (a congenital disability that causes accumulation of amino acid, phenylalanine in the body), cough with mucus or cough caused by asthma, chronic bronchitis or emphysema (a lung condition causing shortness of breath), inform your doctor before taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan.
Uses of Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan
Medicinal Benefits
Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan is a combination of two drugs: Chlorphenamine maleate (antihistamine) and Dextromethorphan (cough suppressant). Chlorphenamine maleate belongs to the class of antihistamines or anti-allergic that works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. It helps provide relief from allergy symptoms such as sneezing, running nose, watery eyes, itching, swelling, and congestion or stiffness. On the other hand, Dextromethorphan belongs to the class of cough suppressants that block the transmission of nerve signals from the cough centre in the brain to the muscles that produce cough. Thus, together Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan helps relieve cough, cold and allergic symptoms.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan
- Dry mouth, throat or nose
- Drowsiness
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Restlessness or excitation
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Avoid using Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan if you have taken medicines, such as linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, rasagiline, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine, and methylene blue injection in the past 14 days. Persons who have a history of drug abuse should use Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan with caution as it may cause unwanted side effects. It is advised to seek medical help if the cough does not go away or if it is followed by a high fever, skin rash, or persistent headache. Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision in some patients, therefore drive only if you are alert. Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan should not be used in elderly patients with confusion. Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan contains sorbitol so it should be avoided in patients with problems of fructose intolerance.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan may have interaction with anti-allergic drugs (diphenhydramine), and antidepressants (escitalopram, desvenlafaxine, vilazodone).
Drug-Food Interaction: Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid the consumption of alcohol with Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan as it may increase the risk of adverse effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, or difficulty in concentrating.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have glaucoma, urinary problems, enlarged prostate, phenylketonuria (a congenital disability that causes accumulation of amino acid, phenylalanine in the body), cough with mucus or cough caused by asthma, smoking, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema (a lung condition causing shortness of breath), inform your doctor before taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionChlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan may increase the effects of alcohol so it is advised to avoid alcohol consumption.
Pregnancy
cautionThe safety of Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan in pregnant women is unknown. Therefore, it is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionChlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan should not be given to breastfeeding mothers unless the benefit to the mother outweighs the potential harm to the newborn.
Driving
cautionChlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan may impair thinking or cause blurred vision in some people. Therefore, drive only if you are alert after taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan.
Liver
cautionTake Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan with caution, especially if you have a history of liver disease. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney disease. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
cautionChlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan is not recommended for children below 2 years of age. However, it can be used by children who are more than 2 years of age if prescribed by a child specialist.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid dairy products such as milk as they may increase mucus production.
- Also, avoid processed or refined foods. Instead, replace baked foods, fried foods, white bread, white pasta, french fries, sugary desserts, and chips with green leafy vegetables.
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dry throat while you have a cough. It also helps loosen mucus.
- Avoid citrus fruits as they may worsen the cough.
- Eat fruits rich in water content such as pears, watermelon, peaches, and pineapples.
Special Advise
- Contact a doctor if your symptoms do not improve even after taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan for 7 days.
- Contact a doctor immediately if you develop fever, rash, or headaches after taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan.
- If you are about to undergo any medical tests or surgery, please inform your doctor that you are taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Cough: Coughing is the body’s way of clearing irritants (like allergens, mucus, or smoke) from airways and preventing infection. Coughs may be dry or productive. A productive cough (wet cough) brings up sputum (phlegm, mucus, and other matter) from the lungs. Cough is commonly caused as a response to allergy or viral infection but coughing up mucus is possibly an indication of infection in the respiratory tract. If you are coughing thick, solid white mucus, it indicates you may have a bacterial infection in the airways. If the mucus is clear or light-coloured, it indicates you may have allergies or a minor infection in the respiratory tract, and yellow or green mucus indicates a respiratory infection.
FAQs
Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan contains Chlorphenamine maleate and Dextromethorphan. Chlorphenamine maleate blocks the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. It helps to provide relief from symptoms of allergy. Dextromethorphan works by blocking the transmission of nerve signals from the cough centre in the brain to the muscles that produce cough. Thus, decreases the urge to cough.
Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan may be used to provide relief from allergic symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, throat irritation, or watery eyes. Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan contains Chlorphenamine maleate, an anti-allergic drug that works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions.
It has been reported that Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan may cause dry mouth as a temporary side effect in some people. It is not necessary for everyone taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan to experience this side effect. However, to avoid dry mouth, drink plenty of water, regularly rinse your mouth, practice good oral hygiene and suck on sugarless candy. However, if the condition persists or worsens, please consult a doctor.
You are recommended to take Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. However, if the symptoms persist or worsen with rash, fever, or persistent headache after 1 week of using Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan, please consult your doctor.
It is advised not to stop taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan without consulting your doctor as it may worsen cough or cause recurring symptoms. Therefore, take Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, and if you experience any difficulty while taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan, please consult your doctor.
