$Unique_ID{BRK03318} $Pretitle{} $Title{pseudoephedrine, carbinoxamine, and dextromethorphan combination} $Subject{Carbodec DM Rugby Cardec Mycadec My-K Labs Pseudo-Car Geneva Generics Rondec-DM Ross Tussafed Everett Adrenergic decongestant antihistamine suppressant pseudoephedrine carbinoxamine dextromethorphan coughs upper respiratory tract infections hay fever allergies sinusitis inflammation sinuses constricting narrowing blood vessels nasal passages swelling congestion histamine allergic reaction allergy cough reflex center brain} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. pseudoephedrine, carbinoxamine, and dextromethorphan combination ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) Carbodec DM (Rugby) Cardec DM (various manufacturers) Mycadec DM (My-K Labs) Pseudo-Car DM (Geneva Generics) Rondec-DM (Ross) Tussafed (Everett) TYPE OF DRUG Adrenergic (decongestant), antihistamine, and cough suppressant INGREDIENTS pseudoephedrine, carbinoxamine, and dextromethorphan DOSAGE FORMS Oral syrup (60 mg pseudoephedrine, 4 mg carbinoxamine, and 15 mg dextromethorphan per 5-ml spoonful) Oral drops (25 mg pseudoephedrine, 2 mg carbinoxamine, and 4 mg dextromethorphan per 1-ml dropperful) STORAGE Pseudoephedrine, carbinoxamine, and dextromethorphan combination oral syrup and oral drops should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed, light-resistant glass container. Avoid exposing these medications to excessive heat. USES This drug combination is used to relieve coughs and 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. Carbinoxamine 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. Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant, which acts at the cough reflex center in the brain. TREATMENT In order to avoid stomach upset, you can take this medicine with food or with a full glass of water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). The oral drops should be measured carefully with the dropper provided. The oral syrup should be measured carefully with a specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon. An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate enough. 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. Abdominal pain, blurred vision, decreased sweating, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, heartburn, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, sleeping problems, vomiting, or weakness. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication. Chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or 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, and be careful on stairs. This medication can increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. Wear protective clothing, and use an effective sunscreen. In order to avoid difficulty in falling asleep, you should take the last dose of this medication several hours before bedtime. Major. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome, especially chest pain, difficult or painful urination, difficulty in breathing, hallucinations, pallor, palpitations, seizures, or tremors. INTERACTIONS This medication can interact with several types of drugs: 1. Concurrent use of it 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), beta blockers (acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, carteolol, esmolol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, penbutolol, pindolol, propranolol, or timolol), and tricyclic antidepressants can increase the side effects of this drug. At least 14 days should separate the use of this drug and the use of an MAO inhibitor. 3. The side effects of the antihistamine part of this medication may be increased by quinidine, procainamide, haloperidol, and phenothiazine tranquilizers. 4. 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. 5. The blood-pressure-lowering effects of guanethidine, methyldopa, and reserpine may be decreased by this drug. Before starting pseudoephedrine, carbinoxamine, and dextromethorphan combination, TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are curently taking. WARNINGS * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to carbinoxamine or other antihistamines (such as azatadine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, cyproheptadine, dexchlorpheniramine, dimenhydrinate, dimethindene, diphenhydramine, diphenylpyraline, doxylamine, hydroxyzine, promethazine, pyrilamine, trimeprazine, tripelennamine, and triprolidine), to pseudoephedrine or other adrenergic agents (such as albuterol, amphetamines, ephedrine, epinephrine, isoproterenol, metaproterenol, norepinephrine, phenylpropanolamine, and terbutaline), or to dextromethorphan. * Tell your doctor if you have ever had diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, heart or blood vessel disease, high blood pressure, myasthenia gravis, obstructed bladder or intestinal tract, peptic ulcers, enlarged prostate, or thyroid disease. * Because this drug can reduce sweating and heat release from the body, avoid excessive work and exercise in hot weather, and do not take hot baths, showers, and saunas. * This medication can cause drowsiness. Your ability to perform tasks that require alertness. * Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. The safe use of this drug in human pregnancy has not been established. 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.