Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Sinus & Cold Hot Drink Mix Side Effects
Generic name: acetaminophen / chlorpheniramine / dextromethorphan / phenylephrine
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 21, 2023.
Note: This document provides detailed information about Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Sinus & Cold Hot Drink Mix.
Applies to acetaminophen / chlorpheniramine / dextromethorphan / phenylephrine: oral capsule, oral liquid, oral suspension, oral tablet, oral tablet effervescent.
General adverse events
General side effects of phenylephrine have included pallor and weakness.[Ref]
Nervous system
Nervous system side effects of chlorpheniramine have included depression resulting in drowsiness in 75% or more of treated patients. Dyskinesias have rarely been reported following chronic use of chlorpheniramine.
Nervous system side effects of dextromethorphan have included drowsiness and dizziness. Other side effects such as excitation, mental confusion, and opiate-like respiratory depression have been rare and occurred at higher dosages. In some cases of abuse, patients experienced euphoria, hyperactivity, mania, and auditory and visual hallucinations.
Nervous system side effects of phenylephrine have included headache, dizziness, nervousness, restlessness, tremor, insomnia, convulsions, and central nervous system depression.[Ref]
Few cases of dyskinesias and tremors, often of the face, have been reported in patients whose chronic use of chlorpheniramine extended over a period of 3 to 10 years. Some of these cases were only partially relieved by discontinuation of the drug. Haloperidol was successful in relieving symptoms.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal side effects of acetaminophen have been rare, except in alcoholics and after overdose. Cases of acute pancreatitis have been reported rarely with the use of acetaminophen.
Gastrointestinal side effects of chlorpheniramine have included dry mouth and constipation in up to one-third of treated patients.
Gastrointestinal side effects of dextromethorphan have included stomach upset.
Gastrointestinal side effects of phenylephrine have included nausea.[Ref]
One study has suggested that acetaminophen may precipitate acute biliary pain and cholestasis. The mechanism of this effect may be related to inhibition of prostaglandin and alterations in the regulation of the sphincter of Oddi.[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity side effects of acetaminophen have included anaphylaxis and fixed drug eruptions.
Hypersensitivity side effects of dextromethorphan have included rare reports of fixed-drug eruptions.[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular side effects of acetaminophen have included two cases of hypotension.
Cardiovascular side effects of chlorpheniramine have included hypotension, tachycardia, and palpitations.
Cardiovascular side effects of phenylephrine have included palpitations, arrhythmias, and cardiovascular collapse with hypotension.[Ref]
Two cases hypotension have been reported following the administration of acetaminophen. Both patients experienced significant decreases in blood pressure. One of the two patients required pressor agents to maintain adequate mean arterial pressures. Neither episode was associated with symptoms of anaphylaxis. Neither patient was rechallenged after resolution of the initial episode.[Ref]
Psychiatric
Psychiatric side effects of phenylephrine have included hallucinations, fear, and anxiety.[Ref]
Genitourinary
Genitourinary side effects of chlorpheniramine have included dysuria, urinary hesitancy, and decreased urine flow.
Genitourinary side effects of phenylephrine have included dysuria.[Ref]
Respiratory
Respiratory side effects of acetaminophen have included a case of eosinophilic pneumonia.
Respiratory side effects of phenylephrine have included respiratory difficulty.[Ref]
Hepatic
Hepatic side effects of acetaminophen have included severe and sometimes fatal dose dependent hepatitis in alcoholic patients. Hepatotoxicity has been increased during fasting. Several cases of hepatotoxicity from chronic acetaminophen therapy at therapeutic doses have also been reported despite a lack of risk factors for toxicity.[Ref]
Alcoholic patients may develop hepatotoxicity after even modest doses of acetaminophen. In healthy patients, approximately 15 grams of acetaminophen is necessary to deplete liver glutathione stores by 70% in a 70 kg person. However, hepatotoxicity has been reported following smaller doses. Glutathione concentrations may be repleted by the antidote N-acetylcysteine. One case report has suggested that hypothermia may also be beneficial in decreasing liver damage during overdose.
In a recent retrospective study of 306 patients admitted for acetaminophen overdose, 6.9% had severe liver injury but all recovered. None of the 306 patients died.
A 19 year old female developed hepatotoxicity, reactive plasmacytosis and agranulocytosis followed by a leukemoid reaction after acute acetaminophen toxicity.[Ref]
Renal
Renal side effects of acetaminophen have included acute tubular necrosis and interstitial nephritis. Adverse renal effects are most often observed after overdose, after chronic abuse (often with multiple analgesics), or in association with acetaminophen-related hepatotoxicity.[Ref]
Acute tubular necrosis usually occurs in conjunction with liver failure, but has been observed as an isolated finding in rare cases. A possible increase in the risk of renal cell carcinoma has been associated with chronic acetaminophen use as well.
A recent case control study of patients with end-stage renal disease suggested that long term consumption of acetaminophen may significantly increase the risk of end-stage renal disease particularly in patients taking more than two pills per day.[Ref]
Hematologic
Hematologic side effects of acetaminophen have included rare cases of thrombocytopenia. Methemoglobinemia with resulting cyanosis has also been observed in the setting of acute overdose Side Effects associated with acetaminophen / chlorpheniramine / dextromethorphan / phenylephrine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Sinus & Cold Hot Drink Mix.
Applies to acetaminophen / chlorpheniramine / dextromethorphan / phenylephrine: oral capsule, oral liquid, oral suspension, oral tablet, oral tablet effervescent.
General adverse events
General side effects of phenylephrine have included pallor and weakness.[Ref]
Nervous system
Nervous system side effects of chlorpheniramine have included depression resulting in drowsiness in 75% or more of treated patients. Dyskinesias have rarely been reported following chronic use of chlorpheniramine.
Nervous system side effects of dextromethorphan have included drowsiness and dizziness. Other side effects such as excitation, mental confusion, and opiate-like respiratory depression have been rare and occurred at higher dosages. In some cases of abuse, patients experienced euphoria, hyperactivity, mania, and auditory and visual hallucinations.
Nervous system side effects of phenylephrine have included headache, dizziness, nervousness, restlessness, tremor, insomnia, convulsions, and central nervous system depression.[Ref]
Few cases of dyskinesias and tremors, often of the face, have been reported in patients whose chronic use of chlorpheniramine extended over a period of 3 to 10 years. Some of these cases were only partially relieved by discontinuation of the drug. Haloperidol was successful in relieving symptoms.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal side effects of acetaminophen have been rare, except in alcoholics and after overdose. Cases of acute pancreatitis have been reported rarely with the use of acetaminophen.
Gastrointestinal side effects of chlorpheniramine have included dry mouth and constipation in up to one-third of treated patients.
Gastrointestinal side effects of dextromethorphan have included stomach upset.
Gastrointestinal side effects of phenylephrine have included nausea.[Ref]
One study has suggested that acetaminophen may precipitate acute biliary pain and cholestasis. The mechanism of this effect may be related to inhibition of prostaglandin and alterations in the regulation of the sphincter of Oddi.[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity side effects of acetaminophen have included anaphylaxis and fixed drug eruptions.
Hypersensitivity side effects of dextromethorphan have included rare reports of fixed-drug eruptions.[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular side effects of acetaminophen have included two cases of hypotension.
Cardiovascular side effects of chlorpheniramine have included hypotension, tachycardia, and palpitations.
Cardiovascular side effects of phenylephrine have included palpitations, arrhythmias, and cardiovascular collapse with hypotension.[Ref]
Two cases hypotension have been reported following the administration of acetaminophen. Both patients experienced significant decreases in blood pressure. One of the two patients required pressor agents to maintain adequate mean arterial pressures. Neither episode was associated with symptoms of anaphylaxis. Neither patient was rechallenged after resolution of the initial episode.[Ref]
Psychiatric
Psychiatric side effects of phenylephrine have included hallucinations, fear, and anxiety.[Ref]
Genitourinary
Genitourinary side effects of chlorpheniramine have included dysuria, urinary hesitancy, and decreased urine flow.
Genitourinary side effects of phenylephrine have included dysuria.[Ref]
Respiratory
Respiratory side effects of acetaminophen have included a case of eosinophilic pneumonia.
Respiratory side effects of phenylephrine have included respiratory difficulty.[Ref]
Hepatic
Hepatic side effects of acetaminophen have included severe and sometimes fatal dose dependent hepatitis in alcoholic patients. Hepatotoxicity has been increased during fasting. Several cases of hepatotoxicity from chronic acetaminophen therapy at therapeutic doses have also been reported despite a lack of risk factors for toxicity.[Ref]
Alcoholic patients may develop hepatotoxicity after even modest doses of acetaminophen. In healthy patients, approximately 15 grams of acetaminophen is necessary to deplete liver glutathione stores by 70% in a 70 kg person. However, hepatotoxicity has been reported following smaller doses. Glutathione concentrations may be repleted by the antidote N-acetylcysteine. One case report has suggested that hypothermia may also be beneficial in decreasing liver damage during overdose.
In a recent retrospective study of 306 patients admitted for acetaminophen overdose, 6.9% had severe liver injury but all recovered. None of the 306 patients died.
A 19 year old female developed hepatotoxicity, reactive plasmacytosis and agranulocytosis followed by a leukemoid reaction after acute acetaminophen toxicity.[Ref]
Renal
Renal side effects of acetaminophen have included acute tubular necrosis and interstitial nephritis. Adverse renal effects are most often observed after overdose, after chronic abuse (often with multiple analgesics), or in association with acetaminophen-related hepatotoxicity.[Ref]
Acute tubular necrosis usually occurs in conjunction with liver failure, but has been observed as an isolated finding in rare cases. A possible increase in the risk of renal cell carcinoma has been associated with chronic acetaminophen use as well.
A recent case control study of patients with end-stage renal disease suggested that long term consumption of acetaminophen may significantly increase the risk of end-stage renal disease particularly in patients taking more than two pills per day.[Ref]
Hematologic
Hematologic side effects of acetaminophen have included rare cases of thrombocytopenia. Methemoglobinemia with resulting cyanosis has also been observed in the setting of acute overdose.
Hematologic side effects of chlorpheniramine have included bone marrow suppression, thrombocytopenia, and aplastic anemia.[Ref]
A fatal case of agranulocytosis has been reported in a patient taking chlorpheniramine, pseudoephedrine, acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, phenylpropanolamine, and aspirin. Chlorpheniramine was felt to be the cause.[Ref]
Dermatologic
Dermatologic side effects of acetaminophen have included erythematous skin rashes. Bullous erythema and purpura fulminans have also been reported.[Ref]
Metabolic
Metabolic side effects of acetaminophen have included metabolic acidosis following a massive overdose.[Ref]
In the case of metabolic acidosis, causality is uncertain as more than one drug was ingested. The case of metabolic acidosis followed the ingestion of 75 grams of acetaminophen, 1.95 grams of aspirin, and a small amount of a liquid household cleaner The patient also had a history of seizures which the authors reported may have contributed to an increased lactate level indicative of metabolic acidosis.[Ref]
Ocular
Ocular side effects of chlorpheniramine have included blurred vision, diplopia, and dry eyes due to anticholinergic effects.[Ref]
References
1. "Product Information. Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine)." Schering-Plough
2. (2002) "Product Information. Ah-Chew D (phenylephrine)." WE Pharmaceuticals Inc
3. (2005) "Product Information. Coricidin (acetaminophen-chlorpheniramine)." Schering-Plough Healthcare Products
4. Bantz EW, Dolen WK, Chadwick EW, Nelson HS (1987) "Chronic chlorpheniramine therapy: subsensitivity, drug metabolism, and compliance." Ann Allergy, 59, p. 341-6
5. Schuller DE, Turkewitz D (1986) "Adverse effects of antihistamines." Postgrad Med, 79, p. 75-86
6. Polles A, Griffith JL (1996) "Dextromethorphan-induced mania." Psychosomatics, 37, p. 71-4
7. Stubb S, Reitamo S (1990) "Fixed-drug eruption due to dextromethorphan ." Arch Dermatol, 126, p. 970-1
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Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Sinus & Cold Hot Drink Mix side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.