Comtrex Cold and Cough

Generic name: acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine [ a-SEET-a-MIN-of-fen, DEX-troe-me-THOR-fan, and-FEN-il-EFF-rin ]
Brand names: Cold and Flu Daytime Relief, Comtrex Cold and Cough, DayQuil Cold and Flu, Daytime, Flu and Severe Cold and Cough Daytime Powder, ... show all 27 brands Mapap Cold Formula, Mucinex Fast-Max Congestion and Headache, Next Cold and Flu Daytime, Robitussin Peak Cold Daytime Cold + Flu, Sudafed PE Pressure+Pain+Cough, Theraflu Daytime Severe Cold and Cough, Theraflu PowerPods Daytime Severe Cold, Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom Daytime, Cold and Flu Daytime Relief, Comtrex Cold and Cough, DayQuil Cold and Flu, Daytime, Flu and Severe Cold and Cough Daytime Powder, Mapap Cold Formula, Mucinex Fast-Max Congestion and Headache, Next Cold and Flu Daytime, Robitussin Peak Cold Daytime Cold + Flu, Sudafed PE Pressure+Pain+Cough, Theraflu Daytime Severe Cold and Cough, Theraflu PowerPods Daytime Severe Cold, Theraflu Warming Severe Cold Daytime, Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom Daytime
Drug class: Upper respiratory combinations

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

What is Comtrex Cold and Cough?

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer.

Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.

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

Comtrex Cold and Cough is a combination medicine used to treat headache, fever, body aches, cough, stuffy nose, and sinus congestion caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

Comtrex Cold and Cough will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

Comtrex Cold and Cough may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Side Effects

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

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal. This could occur even if you have taken acetaminophen in the past and had no reaction. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling. If you have this type of reaction, you should never again take any medicine that contains acetaminophen.

Comtrex Cold and Cough may cause serious side effects. Stop using Comtrex Cold and Cough and call your doctor at once if you have:

• chest pain, fast, slow, or uneven heart rate;

• severe dizziness, feeling like you might pass out;

• mood changes, confusion, hallucinations, seizure (convulsions);

• little or no urinating;

• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

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

Common side effects of Comtrex Cold and Cough may include:

• dizziness, weakness, mild headache;

• diarrhea, upset stomach;

• dry mouth, nose, or throat;

• feeling nervous, restless, irritable, or anxious; or

• sleep problems (insomnia).

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 taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death. Call your doctor at once if you have nausea, pain in your upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

Before taking this medicine

Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, or phenylephrine.

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

• liver disease, alcoholism, or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day;

• high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease;

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

• diabetes;

• glaucoma;

• overactive thyroid;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

• pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumor); or

• bladder obstruction or other urination problems.

It is not known whether Comtrex Cold and Cough will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are pregnant.

Acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Decongestants may also slow breast milk production. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Artificially sweetened 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 Comtrex Cold and Cough?

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. This medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Do not take more of this medication than recommended. An acetaminophen overdose can damage your liver or cause death.

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

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.

Dissolve one packet of the powder in at least 4 ounces of water. Stir this mixture and drink all of it right away.

Do not take for longer than 7 days in a row. Stop taking the medicine and call your doctor if you still have a fever after 3 days of use, you still have pain after 7 days (or 5 days if treating a child), if your symptoms get worse, or if you have a skin rash, ongoing headache, or any redness or swelling.

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

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow liquid medicine to freeze.

Related/similar drugs

aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, benzonatate, diphenhydramine, guaifenesin, Benadryl, epinephrine topical, dextromethorphan, codeine

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since Comtrex Cold and Cough 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. An overdose of acetaminophen can be fatal.

The first signs of an acetaminophen overdose include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, sweating, and confusion or weakness. Later symptoms may include pain in your upper stomach, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

Overdose symptoms may also include severe forms of some of the side effects listed in this medication guide.

What should I avoid while taking Comtrex Cold and Cough?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as APAP) is contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much acetaminophen which can lead to a fatal overdose. Check the label to see if a medicine contains acetaminophen or APAP.

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

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while you are taking acetaminophen.

What other drugs will affect Comtrex Cold and Cough?

Other drugs may interact with Comtrex Cold and Cough, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

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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