$Unique_ID{BRK03317} $Pretitle{} $Title{pseudoephedrine and chlorpheniramine combination} $Subject{Anamine Mayrand Brexin Savage Chlorafed Half-Strength Hauck Chlorafed HS Timecelles Hauck Chlor-Trimeton Decongestant Repetabs Schering Central Dallergy-D Laser Deconamine Berlex Deconamine SR Berlex Dorcol Children Liquid Cold Formula Sandoz Duralex American Urologicals Fedahist Kremers Urban Histalet Reid-Rowell Isoclor Fisons Timesules Kronofed-A Jr Kronocaps Ferndale Myfedrine Plus Napril Randob ND Clear Seatrace Novafed A Lakeside PediaCare Liquid McNeil Consumer Pseudo-Hist Abana Ryna Wallace Sudafed Plus Burroughs Wellcome T-Dry Jr Williams Adrenergic decongestant antihistamine Pseudoephedrine chlorpheniramine upper respiratory tract infections hay fever allergies sinusitis inflammation sinuses constricting narrowing blood vessels nasal passages swelling congestion histamine allergic reaction allergy} $Volume{} $Log{ Deconamine SR*0331701.scf} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. pseudoephedrine and chlorpheniramine combination ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) Anamine T.D. (Mayrand) Brexin L.A. (Savage) Chlorafed (Half-Strength) (Hauck) Chlorafed HS Timecelles (Hauck) Chlor-Trimeton Decongestant [*] (Schering) Chlor-Trimeton Decongestant Repetabs [*] (Schering) Codimal-L.A. (Central) Dallergy-D [*] (Laser) Deconamine (Berlex) Deconamine SR (Berlex) Dorcol Children's Liquid Cold Formula [*] (Sandoz) Duralex (American Urologicals) Fedahist [*] (Kremers Urban) Histalet (Reid-Rowell) Isoclor (Fisons) Isoclor Timesules [*] (Fisons) Kronofed-A Jr. (Ferndale) Kronofed-A Kronocaps (Ferndale) Myfedrine Plus [*] (P.B.I.) Napril [*] (Randob) ND Clear T.D. (Seatrace) Novafed A (Lakeside) PediaCare 2 Liquid (McNeil Consumer) Pseudo-Hist [*] (Abana) Ryna [*] (Wallace) Sudafed Plus [*] (Burroughs Wellcome) T-Dry Jr (T.E. Williams) * Available over-the-counter (without a prescription) TYPE OF DRUG Adrenergic (decongestant) and antihistamine INGREDIENTS Pseudoephedrine and chlorpheniramine DOSAGE FORMS Tablets (30 mg pseudoephedrine and 4 mg chlorpheniramine; 60 mg pseudoephedrine and 4 mg chlorpheniramine) Capsules (30 mg pseudoephedrine and 4 mg chlorpheniramine; 30 mg pseudoephedrine and 2 mg chlorpheniramine) Sustained-release capsules (60 mg pseudoephedrine and 4 mg chlorpheniramine; 65 mg pseudoephedrine and 10 mg chlorpheniramine; 120 mg pseudoephedrine and 8 mg chlorpheniramine; and 120 mg pseudoephedrine and 12 mg chlorpheniramine) Oral elixir (30 mg pseudoephedrine and 2 mg chlorpheniramine per 5-ml spoonful, with 5% alcohol) Oral syrup (15 mg pseudoephedrine and 1 mg chlorpheniramine; 15 mg pseudoephedrine and 2 mg chlorpheniramine; 30 mg pseudoephedrine and 2 mg chlorpheniramine; and 45 mg pseudoephedrine and 3 mg chlorpheniramine per 5-ml spoonful) STORAGE Pseudoephedrine and chlorpheniramine combination tablets, capsules, elixir, and syrup should be stored at room temperature in tightly closed containers. This medication should never be frozen. USES This drug combination is used to relieve the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, hay fever and other allergies, and sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses). Pseudoephedrine belongs to a group of drugs known as adrenergic agents (decongestants). They act by constricting (narrowing) blood vessels in the nasal passages to reduce swelling and congestion. Chlorpheniramine belongs to a group of drugs known as antihistamines, which block the actions of histamine, a chemical released by the body during an allergic reaction. It is, therefore, used to relieve or prevent symptoms of allergy. TREATMENT In order to avoid stomach upset, you can take pseudoephedrine and chlorpheniramine combination with food or with a full glass of milk or water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). The oral syrup and elixir forms of this drug should be measured with a specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon. The sustained-release capsules should be swallowed whole. Breaking, chewing, or crushing these capsules destroys their sustained-release activity and may increase the side effects. If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Anxiety; blurred vision; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth, nose, and throat; heartburn; insomnia; irritability; loss of appetite; nasal congestion; nausea; restlessness; decreased sweating; vomiting; or weakness. These side effects should gradually disappear as your body adjusts to this medication. This medication can increase your sensitivity to sunlight. You should therefore avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. Wear protective clothing, and use an effective sunscreen. If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). Chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy to reduce mouth dryness. If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a sitting or reclining position. In order to avoid difficulty in falling asleep, take the last dose of this drug several hours before bedtime. Major. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about chest pain, confusion, convulsions, difficult or painful urination, difficulty in breathing, fainting, hallucinations, headaches, loss of coordination, mood changes, palpitations, rash, severe abdominal pain, sore throat, or unusual bleeding or bruising. INTERACTIONS Pseudoephedrine and chlorpheniramine combination interacts with several other types of medications: 1. Concurrent use of this medication with central nervous system depressants (drugs that slow the activity of the brain and spinal cord), such as alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, and phenothiazine tranquilizers, or with tricyclic antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness. 2. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (isocarboxazid, pargyline, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine) and tricyclic antidepressants can increase the side effects of this medication. At least 14 days should separate the use of this drug and the use of an MAO inhibitor. 3. The action of oral anticoagulants may be decreased by the antihistamine component of this drug. 4. Procarbazine may interact with the antihistamine component of this drug. 5. The side effects of the antihistamine component of this medication may be increased by quinidine, procainamide, haloperidol, or phenothiazine tranquilizers. 6. The side effects of the decongestant component may be increased by digoxin or over-the-counter (nonprescription) asthma, allergy, cough, cold, diet, or sinus preparations. 7. The blood-pressure-lowering effects of guanethidine may be decreased by this medication. BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially any listed above. WARNINGS * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to chlorpheniramine or to other antihistamines (such as azatadine, brompheniramine, carbinoxamine, clemastine, cyproheptadine, dexchlorpheniramine, dimenhydrinate, dimethindene, diphenhydramine, diphenylpyraline, doxylamine, hydroxyzine, promethazine, pyrilamine, trimeprazine, tripelennamine, and triprolidine) or to pseudoephedrine or other adrenergic agents (such as albuterol, amphetamines, ephedrine, epinephrine, isoproterenol, metaproterenol, norepinephrine, phenylpropanolamine, and terbutaline). * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, glaucoma, heart or blood vessel disease, hiatal hernia, high blood pressure, myasthenia gravis, obstructed bladder or intestinal tract, peptic ulcers, enlarged prostate gland, or thyroid disease. * Because this drug can reduce sweating and heat release from the body, you should avoid excessive work or exercise in hot weather, and do not take hot baths, showers, and saunas. * Pseudoephedrine and chlorpheniramine combination can cause drowsiness. Your ability to perform tasks that require alertness, such as driving a car or operating potentially dangerous machinery. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. The effects of this medication during pregnancy have not been thoroughly studied in humans. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of this medication pass into breast milk and may cause unusual excitement or irritability in nursing infants. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.