Chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine

Generic name: chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine [ KLOR-fen-IR-a-meen-and-FEN-il-EFF-rin ]
Brand names: Actifed Cold and Allergy, Allerest PE, ChlorTan D, Cold and Allergy Relief, Ed A-Hist, ... show all 73 brands Giltuss Allergy and Sinus, NoHist LQ, Phenagil, Sinus and Allergy Maximum Strength, Sinus and Allergy PE, Sudafed PE Sinus and Allergy, Actifed Cold and Allergy, Allan Tannate Pediatric, Allerest PE, BP Allergy JR, ChlorTan D, Cold and Allergy Relief, Dallergy Drops, Ed A-Hist, Ed ChlorPed D, Giltuss Allergy and Sinus, NoHist LQ, Phenagil, R-Tanna, Sinus and Allergy Maximum Strength, Sinus and Allergy PE, Sudafed PE Sinus and Allergy, Phenylhistine, Novahistine Elixir, Histatab Plus, Ed A-Hist LA, Rynatan Pediatric, Rynatan, Phenchlor Tannate Pediatric, Relera, Rondec Drops, Rondec, Ceron, Ceron Drops, Chlor-Mes Jr, Dallergy-JR, Rondex, Rondex Drops, Ny-Tannic, Dec-Chlorphen, Dec-Chlorphen Drops, C Phen Drops, C Phen, Tannate Pediatric, Histadec, PediaTan D, Rescon-Jr, CP Dec, Cardec Drops, P-Tann D, Triaminic Cold/Allergy, Rinate Pediatric, Cardec, AlleRx, Sildec-PE Drops, Sildec-PE, Nasohist Pediatric, PD-Hist D Drops, PD-Hist D, CP Dec Drops, Tanahist-D, Ry-Tann, Sonahist, NoHist, Trigofen Drops, Lohist, Virdec, Maxichlor PEH
Dosage forms: oral liquid (1 mg-2.5 mg/5 mL; 4 mg-10 mg/5 mL), oral suspension, extended release (8 mg-10 mg/5 mL), ... show all 3 dosage forms oral tablet (3.5 mg-10 mg; 4 mg-10 mg)
Drug class: Upper respiratory combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jul 26, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine?

Chlorpheniramine 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).

Chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine is a combination medicine used to treat symptoms of the common cold or seasonal allergies, including sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and itchy, watery eyes.

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

Chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine side effects

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

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

• chest pain, rapid pulse, fast or uneven heart rate;

• confusion, hallucinations, severe nervousness;

• tremor, seizure (convulsions);

• little or no urinating;

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or

• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, shortness of breath).

Common side effects of chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision;

• dry nose or mouth;

• nausea, stomach pain, constipation, loss of appetite;

• problems with memory or concentration; or

• feeling restless or excited (especially in children).

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 this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

You should not use antihistamine medication to make a child sleepy.

Before taking this medicine

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

Do not use this medicine 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:

• asthma or COPD, cough with mucus, or cough caused by smoking, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis;

• a blockage in your stomach or intestines;

• kidney or liver disease;

• high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, or recent heart attack;

• enlarged prostate or urination problems;

• glaucoma;

• diabetes;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

• pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumor);

• overactive thyroid; or

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

It is not known whether chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without your doctor's advice if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Antihistamines and decongestants may also slow breast milk production. Do not use this medicine without your doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medicine.

Artificially sweetened liquid cold medicine may contain phenylalanine. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), check the medication label to see if the product contains phenylalanine.

How should I take chlorpheniramine 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.

You should not use antihistamine medication to make a child sleepy.

Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release tablet or capsule. Swallow it whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

The chewable tablet must be chewed before swallowing.

Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. 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.

This medication can cause unusual results with allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking an antihistamine.

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

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Related/similar drugs

prednisone, fluticasone nasal, cetirizine, loratadine, diphenhydramine, promethazine, Benadryl, Zyrtec, chlorpheniramine, Promethazine DM

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since cold medicine is taken as 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 chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine?

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, or sleep medicine. Chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine 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 chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine 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 chlorpheniramine 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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