Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine
About
Chlorpheniramine+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+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine is a combination of three drugs, namely: Chlorpheniramine (antihistamine), Phenylephrine (decongestant) and Dextromethorphan (cough suppressant). Chlorpheniramine works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. Phenylephrine helps shrink the blood vessels in the nasal passage, reducing a stuffy nose. Dextromethorphan works by blocking the transmission of nerve signals from the cough centre in the brain to the muscles that produce cough. Collectively, it helps to provide relief from dry cough.
Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine should be taken as prescribed by the doctor. Your doctor will recommend how often you take Chlorpheniramine+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+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine or other medicines. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor before using the Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine. Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine is not recommended for children below 12 years of age. If you are about to undergo medical tests or surgery, please inform your doctor that you are taking Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine. Avoid using Chlorpheniramine+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+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine to loosen mucus. 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+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine.
Uses of Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine
Medicinal Benefits
Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine is a combination drug belonging to a medication class called 'cough and cold preparations' primarily used to treat dry cough. Chlorpheniramine works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. It helps relieve allergy symptoms such as sneezing, running nose, watery eyes, itching, swelling, congestion or stiffness. Phenylephrine is a 'decongestant' that helps shrink the blood vessels located in the nasal passage, thereby reducing stuffy nose. Dextromethorphan works by blocking the transmission of nerve signals from the cough centre in the brain to the muscles that produce cough. Thus, Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine helps to relieve overall cough, cold and allergic symptoms.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Chlorpheniramine+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
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine or other medicines. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor before using the Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine. Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine is not recommended for children below 12 years of age. If you are about to undergo medical tests or surgery, please inform your doctor that you are taking Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine. Avoid using Chlorpheniramine+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+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine to loosen mucus. If you have glaucoma, urinary problems, enlarged prostate, phenylketonuria (a birth defect 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+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Chlorpheniramine+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 Interactions: Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid alcohol consumption with Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine as it may increase the risk of adverse effects such as drowsiness, dizziness or difficulty in concentrating.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Chlorpheniramine+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+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine as it may increase drowsiness. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine.
Pregnancy
cautionThe safety of Chlorpheniramine+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+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine is excreted in human milk. Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine is given to breastfeeding mothers only if the doctor thinks benefits are greater than risks.
Driving
cautionChlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine may cause dizziness or drowsiness in some people. Therefore, drive only if you are alert after taking Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine.
Liver
cautionTake Chlorpheniramine+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+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+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine is not recommended for children below 12 years of age. However, please consult a doctor before using Chlorpheniramine+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 it may worsen the cough. Eat fruits rich in water content such as pears, watermelon, peaches and pineapples.
Special Advise
- Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine may contain phenylalanine, so check the medication label if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
- Do not use Chlorpheniramine+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+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine.
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 infection in the respiratory tract. If you are coughing thick, solid white mucus, you may have a bacterial infection in the airways. If the mucus is clear or light-coloured, you may have allergies or a minor infection in the respiratory tract, and yellow or green mucus indicates a respiratory infection.
FAQs
Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine is a combination drug, primarily used to treat dry cough. 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.
Consuming alcohol, along with Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine, may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of CNS-active agents. If used together, it may lead to symptoms like confusion, central nervous system depression, impairment of thinking and judgment.
No, you should not take Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine if you need to undergo surgery as it may lead to excessive drowsiness and sleepiness when given along with anesthesia. Please inform your doctor before surgery if you are taking Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine as the doctor may stop it 72 hours before the surgery.
It is not recommended to take Chlorpheniramine+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+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+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine should be used with caution and only when prescribed by a doctor in patients with glaucoma. As Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan+phenylephrine may rarely worsen the symptoms of glaucoma.
