Chlorcyclizine and phenylephrine

Generic name: chlorcyclizine and phenylephrine [ klor-SIK-li-zeen-and-FEN-il-EFF-rin- ]
Brand name: Dallergy
Dosage form: oral tablet, chewable (12.5 mg-5 mg)
Drug class: Upper respiratory combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Aug 7, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is chlorcyclizine and phenylephrine?

Chlorcyclizine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

Phenylephrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

Chlorcyclizine and phenylephrine is a combination medicine used to treat runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, sinus congestion, and other cold or allergy symptoms.

Chlorcyclizine and phenylephrine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Chlorcyclizine and phenylephrine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

chlorcyclizine and phenylephrine may cause serious side effects. Stop using chlorcyclizine and phenylephrine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• fast or uneven heart rate;

• tremor, seizure (convulsions);

• urinating less than usual or not at all; or

• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Common side effects of chlorcyclizine and phenylephrine may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness;

• constipation;

• blurred vision; or

• feeling nervous or restless.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Do not use chlorcyclizine and phenylephrine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use chlorcyclizine and phenylephrine if you are allergic to chlorcyclizine or phenylephrine.

Do not use chlorcyclizine and phenylephrine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medicine if you have other medical conditions, especially:

• high blood pressure;

• coronary artery disease (hardened arteries),

• bladder obstruction or other urination problems; or

• if you take potassium (Cytra, Epiklor, K-Lyte, K-Phos, Kaon, Klor-Con, Polycitra, Urocit-K).

It is not known whether this medication will harm an unborn baby. Do not use cough or cold medicine without medical advice if you are pregnant.

This medicine may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Antihistamines and decongestants may also slow breast milk production. Do not use cough or cold medicine without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take chlorcyclizine and phenylephrine?

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Cold medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.

The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.

Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.

If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon or doctor ahead of time if you have taken a cold medicine within the past few days.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze.

Chlorcyclizine and phenylephrine dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Nasal Congestion:

Chlorcyclizine-phenylephrine 12.5 mg-5 mg oral tablet, chewable:
2 tablets chewed every 6 to 8 hours not to exceed 3 doses daily.

Chlorcyclizine-phenylephrine 12.5 mg-5 mg/5 mL oral liquid:
10 mL orally every 6 to 8 hours not to exceed 30 mL daily.

Chlorcyclizine-phenylephrine 25 mg-10 mg oral tablet:
1 tablet orally every 6 to 8 hours not to exceed 3 doses daily.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Nasal Congestion:

Chlorcyclizine-phenylephrine 12.5 mg-5 mg oral tablet, chewable:
2 to 5 years: 0.5 tablet chewed every 6 to 8 hours not to exceed 3 doses daily.
6 to 11 years: 1 tablet chewed every 6 to 8 hours not to exceed 3 doses daily.
12 years or older: 2 tablets chewed every 6 to 8 hours not to exceed 3 doses daily.

Chlorcyclizine-phenylephrine 12.5 mg-5 mg/5 mL oral liquid:
2 to 5 years: 2.5 mL orally every 6 to 8 hours not to exceed 7.5 mL daily.
6 to 11 years: 5 mL orally every 6 to 8 hours not to exceed 15 mL daily.
12 years or older: 10 mL orally every 6 to 8 hours not to exceed 30 mL daily.

Chlorcyclizine-phenylephrine 25 mg-10 mg oral tablet:
6 to 11 years: 0.5 tablet orally every 6 to 8 hours not to exceed 3 doses daily.
12 years or older: 1 tablet orally every 6 to 8 hours not to exceed 3 doses daily.

Related/similar drugs

diphenhydramine, Benadryl, epinephrine topical, chlorpheniramine, pseudoephedrine, sodium chloride nasal, phenylephrine nasal, Afrin, Promethazine DM, Banophen

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since cold medicine is taken when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking chlorcyclizine and phenylephrine?

chlorcyclizine and phenylephrine may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of this medication.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, cough, or sleep medicine. Antihistamines and decongestants are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of a certain drug. Check the label to see if a medicine contains an antihistamine or decongestant.

What other drugs will affect chlorcyclizine and phenylephrine?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you are also using any other drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used together. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can worsen these effects. Ask your doctor before taking chlorcyclizine and phenylephrine with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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