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Chlorpheniramine User Reviews & Ratings

Brand names: Allergy Relief, Chlor-Trimeton, Chlorphen, Aller-Chlor, Chlor-Trimeton Allergy SR, Wal-finate, Ricobid H, Ed ChlorPed, Ed-Chlortan, Topco Allergy, Teldrin HBP Allergy, C.P.M., Chlor-Mal, Chlo-Amine, Chlorpheniramine (Allergy), ChlorTan Ed Chlor-Tan Allergy Time Ed Chlor Ped Jr. Chlor-Phenit …show all brand names

Chlorpheniramine has an average rating of 8.1 out of 10 from a total of 50 reviews on Drugs.com. 80% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 14% reported a negative experience.

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Reviews for Chlorpheniramine

  • Han...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • October 21, 2019

Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine) for Allergic Rhinitis "I take diphenhydramine, cetirizine, and the 4-hour version of chlorpheniramine at bedtime every night of the year, whether I have symptoms or not, which is the only combination I have found that will keep me clear enough to live a normal routine without many allergy symptoms. I only take the 'Chlor Tabs' at 4-hour intervals during the day if I am still experiencing allergy symptoms, which include sneezing, coughing, ear discomfort, tinnitus, dizziness, and vomiting (from the dizziness). I can't live without this chlorpheniramine every 4 hours without vomiting from the nausea."

10 / 10
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  • Joo...
  • December 7, 2014

Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine) for Allergic Rhinitis "Have used Chlor-Trimeton for many years, 4 mg twice a day, to control allergic reactions to pollen. After trying all other OTC antihistamines, Chlor-Trimeton does the job best, and it's a single-ingredient medicine (not a combination of unnecessary ingredients)."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • June 14, 2022

For Urticaria "It's a very old drug that used to be prescribed at least back to the 1940s for allergic rhinitis, probable post-nasal drip, and other cold-related symptoms. Now OTC. I had an allergic reaction in 1985 to something that produced a severe case of hives (urticaria) that was treated in an emergency medical setting with Benadryl successfully. However, the continued use for what had become a chronic condition made me too sleepy to work effectively. I discovered that a treatment for a common head cold, using 4 to 8 mg of chlorpheniramine maleate (same as Chlortrimeton), provided the same relief from my chronic hives. Avoiding the Benadryl was a great benefit, as well as a cost saving. I have used this method almost every day for 37 years. I still have allergies, but I am otherwise healthy at age 70. If I take 2 yellow tabs in the morning, I am symptom-free. If I run out or skip a day or two, I get itchy all over. No doctor has ever been concerned or diagnosed me with any other disease."

10 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • Hel...
  • February 16, 2015

Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine) for Allergic Reactions "I have been taking this for allergic sneezing, itchy eyes, itchy tongue, and back of mouth, allergic post-nasal drip. Very effective. My grandmother told me about it forty-five or fifty years ago. Don't take it if you have high blood pressure. This is an oldie but a goodie. I prefer the short-acting yellow pills rather than the twelve-hour pills."

10 / 10
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  • Ano...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • March 27, 2016

Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine) for Allergic Rhinitis "Have returned repeatedly to Chlor-Trimeton after taking Zyrtec or Claritin off and on. I get relief for hay fever symptoms without drowsiness, and the cost is lower. I feel sleepy on the other two meds, and the 24-hour dose is not consistent over that period of time. My hay fever is not a severe case, with a runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing from mid-March to May, seemingly getting less with age. I'm 69. Have tried the 12-hour dose and find it works consistently for me, but I prefer the 4-hour tablet."

9 / 10
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  • cst...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • August 2, 2012

For Allergic Reactions "Chlorpheniramine right before bedtime does 2 great things for me: (1) reduces allergic buildup during sleep (if my hay fever is bad one day or my asthma increasing, often I think back and realize I forgot to take it the night before) and (2) helps me feel drowsy (a normally unwanted side effect that becomes an advantage at night). I take the 12 mg extended-release tablet and really suffer if I run out. GREAT!"

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • October 2, 2011

For Allergic Rhinitis "Thank you, chlorpheniramine! After 4 years of daily suffering with the mysterious 'chronic phlegmitis' that no doctor or internet forum could answer, I found this by accident, and to date, it has been the only thing to positively affect and practically halt the terrible constant post-nasal drip. No other antihistamines, steroid sprays, mucolytics, or decongestants touched it. And it has the added bonus of potentiating my pain medicine for chronic pain. So I thought I was in heaven one day to find less pain and the post-nasal drip decreased."

9 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • August 20, 2009

Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine) for Allergic Reactions "I can't use Zyrtec or Claritin because they make my ADHD symptoms worse and counteract my Ritalin medication. This is the only antihistamine that works for me and does not make me drowsy (4-hour version). However, the 12-hour one has made me drowsy."

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  • BTM...
  • February 13, 2012

Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine) for Allergic Rhinitis "I occasionally get severe sneezing attacks, cause unknown. They start as a feeling like something tickling my nose followed by a deep intake of breath and a powerful (mostly dry) sneeze. This then repeats about every 20 seconds for several minutes, when it stops, leaving me exhausted and with teary eyes and a runny nose. I found that swallowing a short-acting chlorpheniramine maleate tablet at the first sign, or in between sneezes, is effective at immediately stopping the attack, with no noticeable side effects. I have other chronic health conditions for which I take prescription medications; long-term use of antihistamines for me is not recommended."

10 / 10
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  • ehs...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 11, 2017

For Allergic Rhinitis "Chlorpheniramine is a very effective drug. I tried all the antihistamines and medicines like cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine, etc. I spent a lot of money, but just chlorpheniramine worked for me, and chlorpheniramine is very cheap! A few minutes after taking this, I get complete relief, and my allergies have gone, especially eye allergy. Chlorpheniramine has 2 side effects for me: 1 - makes me very sleepy, 2 - need to take this every 4 hours, at least 4 times a day."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • February 27, 2009

Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine) for Allergic Reactions "I have severe allergies and believe that Chlor-Trimeton has saved my life several times. I have had 10-12 life-threatening anaphylactic attacks over the last 20 years. My attacks usually build slowly, starting with hives, then vomiting and diarrhea, then swelling of my tongue, throat, and inner ears. I have found through trial and error that if I can take a 12-hour Chlor-Trimeton in the first 2-4 minutes after the reaction starts, I can stop the reaction altogether, or at least get to the hospital without having to use my EpiPen. I LOVE this medicine for hay fever symptoms as well. Unfortunately, it is getting harder and harder to find the 12-hour tablets."

10 / 10
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  • AZ ...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • July 7, 2023

For Allergic Rhinitis "I posted a review on this drug years ago, saying it really knocked me out and gave me heart palpitations. I now think I got a bad batch... I tried this again and it works far better than any 'modern' antihistamine... (In fact, they give me BAD side effects, you will find many similar stories on this site) It helps me sleep too... no palpitations. I usually only take 2mg because I am sensitive to all drugs/supplements. I wish there was a time-release version, but I guess I could take another 2mg when I get up at night..."

10 / 10
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  • Rog...
  • May 14, 2010

Chlorpheniramine (Allergy) (chlorpheniramine) for Allergic Rhinitis "Although an off-label use, I find this drug to be an excellent sleep aid. It is relatively short-acting and may be appropriate for middle-of-the-night awakenings. It is very important, however, to get your doctor's clearance before such use. There are some drugs that interact with chlorpheniramine. It is especially important not to combine chlorpheniramine or any similar drug, including drugs for motion sickness, such as Dramamine or Meclizine. Patients with eye pressure issues (glaucoma) should also either avoid and/or discuss with a doctor before using it."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • August 26, 2008

Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine) for Allergic Rhinitis "While it makes me drowsy, gives me dry mouth, and can make my scalp tingle/itch, it is the only antihistamine that works for my severe hay fever. The 4-hour pills work most of the time, and when my symptoms are really bad, the 8- or 12-hour ones make my life normal."

10 / 10
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  • JJa...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 12, 2019

Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine) for Allergic Rhinitis "I tried this (generic)... normal dose... and it really knocked me for a loop... I could barely get out of bed... alarming! Judging from the ratings. It must work great for others. I AM very sensitive to all drugs and Benedryl works great for me, so not sure why I had such a weird trip on this one."

7 / 10
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  • KCa...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • January 22, 2020

For Cold Symptoms "This chlorpheniramine is the only thing that works for my cold. I have been using it for years when I need it. If I didn't have this medicine I would be sick way more often. I don't know why it is getting harder to find. It use to be very inexpensive even with a prescription. Now its getting up in price. Don't know what I will do if they completely quit making it. The regular OTC stuff doesn't work that well for me and seems to stir the illness up worse and sick for 2 weeks or more. This doesn't, It dries me up and within a few days I'm over it."

10 / 10
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  • Zop...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 26, 2021

For Allergic Rhinitis "I stumbled upon this at the pharmacy and pharmacist said was similar to benadryl. Figured nothing to loose trying it. Cheap bet. Is very effective for my recalcitrant vasomotor sinusitis - using in combo with generic certizine liquid for children at 7.5mg. 10mg certizine knock me out but only OTC antihistamine that worked for me, until now. Instant relief of seasonal allergy induced sinusitis. Zero sedation for me. Don't mind taking it regularly. So old an Rx many younger Drs not familiar and no company making big $ off old generic antihistamine so it's not marketed. Diamond in the rough."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • September 8, 2008

Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine) for Allergic Rhinitis "I have had severe hay fever since childhood, and this is one of the few antihistamines that work for all of my symptoms without making me overly drowsy. I'm just sad that they only sell 4-hour pills OTC now. I'll have to switch to something else."

9 / 10
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  • Mar...
  • August 17, 2017

For Urticaria "I have been taking this drug off and on for 41 years. As the new 24 hour drugs came out I would switch and try them, but they were never as effective. I wish the 12 hr extended release was more available and came in larger amounts than 12 or 24 to a box. I have no side effects, in fact it has never caused me any drowsiness."

10 / 10
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  • Dan...
  • January 27, 2010

For Allergic Rhinitis "I have used this medicine since grade school for allergy and hay fever (dust, mold, pollen, etc) and find it is really big on effect and its side effect, drowsiness, doesn't seem to bother me. This said, others that I have recommended it to say its like a tranquilizer. For taming allergic conditions, this is great - second only to diphenhydramine in effectiveness for an OTC. Diphenhydramine, however, has a much stronger drowsiness side effect for me. The best news is that this is cheap! Around $4 for 100 4mg tab doses."

9 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • July 12, 2015

For Allergic Reactions "I had chronic sinus infections growing up, culminating in corrective sinus surgery by age 18, turned out my sinuses were 95% and 60% closed off. Surgery was greatly successful. I was flawless for years, I moved to Oregon and almost right away the cooler more humid climate had a negative effect on my sinuses. Non-stop nasal drip. that feeling of fluid moving around in my sinuses. Runny nose all year round, burning sinus etc. Woke up every morning and had to expel the accumulation from the night. I tried every over the counter sinus med available. I settled on antihistamines as the most helpful. The sinus sprays were quite helpful but $30 for 60 doses is too costly. This form is about $3 for 100 doses or $10 for a 1000. VERY EFFECTIVE!"

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  • Squ...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 3, 2021

"I had a severe cough, wheezing, coughing up phlegm for 11 days. Steroids, antibiotics, and OTC cough syrup didn't help. My dr prescribed chlorpheniramine on the 11day and by the end of the 12th day I felt 100% better. I don't have any wheezing, cough, or phlegm anymore."

10 / 10
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  • Kei...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • September 11, 2019

For Allergic Rhinitis "Taken in the evening is best. This medicine is sedating just like Benadryl, but not as sedating. Does not have near the sedating hangover the next day that Benadryl does. A better and effective antihistamine than most. I take the combo tablet that includes this med plus decongestant. This combo along with Advil helps with sinus headache, too."

8 / 10
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  • val...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • August 9, 2023

"In about 1988, I had a headache so bad that I thought it was meningitis. My husband took me to the GP, who told me to take Chlorpheniramine. IT WORKED! The doctor said it was a virus but I thought I was going to die. Now I know folks can get histamine headaches that are horrid. Histamines can be triggered by so many things, even regular foods like applesauce or wine or mold. Well, that is when my devotion to Chlorpheniramine began."

10 / 10
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  • ger...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • July 10, 2021

For Allergic Rhinitis "These little yellow pills work for regular seasonal allergies better than any other. I take only if needed and seldom more than 1 in a 24 hour period. They have never made me sleepy, but I usually take at least 2 Anacins every day---headache. I gave my teenage grand daughter one, and they work better for her than prescription meds, but my daughter flipped out when she took one and it made her very sleepy. I have been ordered to never give her children, my precious grandchildren , ANYTHING."

10 / 10
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4 Report
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.