Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine
About
Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine belongs to a class of medication called 'cough and cold preparations' 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: 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 your airways.
Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine is a combination of three drugs, namely: Chlorpheniramine maleate (antihistamine), Phenylephrine (decongestant), and Dextromethorphan (cough suppressant). Chlorpheniramine maleate works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. Phenylephrine helps in shrinking the blood vessels located in the nasal passage, thereby reducing the stuffy nose. Dextromethorphan works by blocking the transmission of nerve signals from the cough center in the brain to the muscles that produce cough. Collectively, it helps to provide relief from dry cough.
Take Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine 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+phenylephrine 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+phenylephrine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Please inform your doctor if you are allergic to Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine or any other medicines. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor before using Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine. Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine is not recommended for children below 12 years of age. If you are about to undergo any medical tests or surgery, please inform your doctor that you are taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine. Avoid using Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine if you have taken medicines such as linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, rasagiline, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine, and methylene blue injection in the past 14 days. Drink plenty of fluids while taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine to loosen mucus.
Uses of Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine
Medicinal Benefits
Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine contains Chlorpheniramine maleate, Phenylephrine, and Dextromethorphan used to treat dry cough. Chlorpheniramine maleate helps to provide relief from allergy symptoms such as sneezing, running nose, watery eyes, itching, swelling, congestion, or stiffness. Phenylephrine helps in shrinking the blood vessels located in the nasal passage, thereby reducing the stuffy nose. Dextromethorphan works by blocking the transmission of nerve signals from the cough center in the brain to the muscles that produce cough. Thus, Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine helps to relieve overall cough, cold and allergic symptoms.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine
- Dry mouth, throat or nose
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Headache
- Constipation
- Restlessness or excitation
- Loss of appetite
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Please inform your doctor if you are allergic to Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine or any other medicines. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor before using Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine. Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine is not recommended for children below 4 years of age. If you are about to undergo any medical tests or surgery, please inform your doctor that you are taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine. Avoid using Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine if you have taken medicines such as linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, rasagiline, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine and methylene blue injection in the past 14 days. Drink plenty of fluids while taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine to loosen mucus. If you have glaucoma, urinary problems, enlarged prostate, 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+phenylephrine.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine may have interaction with anti-allergic drugs (diphenhydramine), anti-psychotic (escitalopram, desvenlafaxine, vilazodone), pain killer (aspirin), cold medicines (acetaminophen), antibiotics (amoxicillin), anti-depressants (linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, rasagiline, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine), beta-blockers (metoprolol, atenolol), muscle relaxants (carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine).
Drug-Food Interaction: Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid alcohol consumption with Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine as it may increase the risk of adverse effects such as drowsiness, dizziness or difficulty in concentrating.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine is known to interact in patients with liver or kidney disease, asthma, diabetes, glaucoma, cardiovascular diseases, enlarged prostate gland, chronic bronchitis or emphysema (a lung condition causing shortness of breath).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid consumption of alcohol with Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine as it may increase drowsiness. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine.
Pregnancy
cautionThe safety of Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine in pregnant women is unknown. Therefore, it is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown whether Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine is excreted in human milk. Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine is given to breastfeeding mothers only if the doctor thinks the benefits are greater than the risks.
Driving
cautionChlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine may cause dizziness or drowsiness in some people. Therefore, drive only if you are alert after taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine.
Liver
cautionTake Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
cautionChlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine is not recommended for children below 4 years of age. However, please consult a doctor before using Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid dairy products such as milk, as it may increase mucus production. Also, avoid processed or refined foods to have relief from cough.
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dry throat while you have a cough and 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
- Do not use Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine only to make a child sleepy.
- Contact a doctor if your symptoms do not improve even after 7 days.
- Contact a doctor immediately if you develop fever, rash or headaches after taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Cough: Coughing is the body's way of clearing irritants from the airways (such as allergens, mucus, or smoke) and preventing infection. Coughs can be productive or dry. A productive cough (wet cough) causes sputum (phlegm, mucus, and other matter) to be expelled from the lungs. Coughing is commonly caused by an allergic reaction or a viral infection, but coughing up mucus could indicate a respiratory infection. You may have a bacterial infection in your airways if you cough up thick, solid white mucus. If your mucus is clear or light-coloured, you may have allergies or minor respiratory infections, whereas yellow or green mucus indicates a respiratory infection.
FAQs
Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine contains Chlorpheniramine maleate, Phenylephrine, and Dextromethorphan. Chlorpheniramine works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. Phenylephrine is a 'decongestant' that helps in shrinking the blood vessels located in the nasal passage, thereby reducing stuffy nose. Dextromethorphan works by blocking the transmission of nerve signals from the cough center in the brain to the muscles that produce cough.
No, you should not take Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine if you need to undergo surgery as it may lead to excessive drowsiness and sleepiness when given along with anaesthesia. Therefore, if you are about to undergo any surgery, please inform your doctor that you are taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine. Your doctor may advise you to stop taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine 72 hours before the surgery.
It is not recommended to take Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine along with any anti-depressant medication, especially MAO inhibitors (linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, rasagiline, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine), as it may lead to unpleasant side-effects or any drug interaction. Also, Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine should be taken at least 15 days after your last dose of anti-depressants.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.
Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine should be used with caution and only when prescribed by a doctor in patients with glaucoma, as Chlorpheniramine Maleate+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine may rarely worsen the symptoms of glaucoma.
