Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine
About
Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine 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, 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 your airways.
Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine is a combination of two drugs: Chlorphenamine (antihistamine) and Dextromethorphan (cough suppressant). Chlorphenamine 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 relieve 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 works by blocking the transmission of nerve signals from the cough centre in the brain to the muscles that produce cough. Thus, together Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine helps to relieve overall cough, cold and allergic symptoms.
Take Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine with or without food as advised by your doctor with the help of a measuring cup. Your doctor will recommend how often you take Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine 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 Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine 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 Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine or any other medicines. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor before using Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine. Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine is not recommended for children below 12 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, smoking, chronic bronchitis or emphysema (a lung condition causing shortness of breath), inform your doctor before taking Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine.
Uses of Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine
Medicinal Benefits
Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine is a combination of two drugs: Chlorphenamine (antihistamine) and Dextromethorphan (cough suppressant). Chlorphenamine 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 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 center in the brain to the muscles that produce cough. Thus, together Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine helps to relieve overall cough, cold and allergic symptoms.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine
- Dry mouth, throat or nose
- Drowsiness
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Restlessness or excitation
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are about to undergo any medical tests or surgery, please inform your doctor that you are taking Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine. Avoid using Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine 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 Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine to loosen mucus. Persons who have a history of drug abuse should use Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine 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 high fever, skin rash, or persistent headache. Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision in some patients that may affect the ability to drive. Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine should not be used in elderly patients with confusion. Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine contains sorbitol so it should be avoided in patients with problems of fructose intolerance.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine may interact with anti-allergic drugs (diphenhydramine), and antidepressants (escitalopram, desvenlafaxine, vilazodone).
Drug-Food Interactions: Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid the consumption of alcohol with Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine as it may increase the risk of adverse effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, or difficulty in concentrating.
Drug-Disease Interactions: 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 Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionDextromethorphan+chlorphenamine may increase the effects of alcohol so it is advised to avoid alcohol consumption.
Pregnancy
cautionThe safety of Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine in pregnant women is unknown. Therefore, it is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionDextromethorphan+chlorphenamine should not be given to breastfeeding mothers unless the benefit to the mother outweighs the potential harm to the newborn.
Driving
cautionDextromethorphan+chlorphenamine may impair thinking or cause blurred vision in some people. Therefore, drive only if you are alert after taking Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine.
Liver
cautionTake Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required in severe kidney disease.
Children
cautionDextromethorphan+chlorphenamine 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 to have relief from cough. 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 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 Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine 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 Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Cough: Coughing is a 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-colored, it indicates you may have allergies or a minor infection in the respiratory tract, and yellow or green mucus indicates a respiratory infection. A dry cough does not produce any mucus or phlegm. After a cold, the cough occurs is usually dry and lasts up to two months. It usually occurs due to irritation in the airways that become over-sensitive after a viral disease. This cough requires time to go.
Common cold: The common cold is an infection caused by the virus, mainly known as ‘rhinoviruses’ affecting the nose and throat (upper respiratory tract). Children younger than 6 years are at the most significant risk of colds, but healthy adults can also be affected to have 2-3 colds annually. In most cases, cold symptoms are recovered within a week or ten days. However, symptoms might last longer in people who smoke or are exposed to allergens like pollutants, dust, etc. The symptoms of the common cold include sneezing, sore throat, cough, congestion, mild body pains, low fever, mild headache, feeling unwell, and stuffy or runny nose. In some cases, the discharge from the nose may become thicker and yellow or green, which is an indication of bacterial infection.
FAQs
Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine contains sucrose it should be used with caution in diabetic patients or persons who have fructose intolerance.
A patient should be reexamined in such a case, and the doctor will adjust the dosage.
It is suggested not to increase the dose of Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine not more than the doctor prescribed. This medicine should be avoided to use in elderly persons with confusion.
It is advised not to take Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine if you have medical conditions like glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, urination problems, cough with mucus, or cough caused by smoking. Consult with your doctor before taking Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine in such conditions.
It is advised not to take Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine if you have used MAO inhibitor (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection,) in the past 14 days as it may cause changes in mental status, and increase blood pressure.
Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine contains Chlorphenamine and Dextromethorphan. Chlorphenamine is an antihistamine (anti-allergic drug) 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, running nose, watery eyes, itching, swelling, and congestion or stiffness. Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that works by blocking the transmission of nerve signals from the cough center in the brain to the muscles that produce cough. Thus, decreases the urge to cough.
Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine may be used to provide relief from allergic symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, throat irritation, or watery eyes. Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine contains Chlorphenamine, an anti-allergic drug that works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions.
It has been reported that Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine may cause dry mouth as a temporary side effect in some people. It is not necessary for everyone taking Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine to experience this side effect. However, to avoid such side effects, 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 Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine 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 Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine, please consult your doctor.
It is advised not to stop taking Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine without consulting your doctor as it may worsen cough or cause recurring symptoms. Therefore, take Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, and if you experience any difficulty while taking Dextromethorphan+chlorphenamine, please consult your doctor.
