What is chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine?
Chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine 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).
The combination of chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine is used to treat runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and sinus congestion caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.
Chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine?
You should not use this medication if you have severe constipation, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, or if you are unable to urinate.
Do not use this medicine if you have untreated or uncontrolled diseases such as glaucoma, asthma or COPD, high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, or overactive thyroid.
Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine?
Do not use a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.
You should not use this medication if you have severe constipation, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, or if you are unable to urinate.
Do not use this medicine if you have untreated or uncontrolled diseases such as glaucoma, asthma or COPD, high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, or a thyroid disorder.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medication if you have:
a colostomy or ileostomy;
diabetes;
liver or kidney disease;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
cough with mucus, or cough caused by smoking, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis;
enlarged prostate or urination problems;
pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumor); or
if you take potassium (Cytra, Epiklor, K-Lyte, K-Phos, Kaon, Klor-Con, Polycitra, Urocit-K).
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without medical advice if you are pregnant.
Chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Antihistamines and decongestants may also slow breast milk production. Do not use this medicine without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Artificially sweetened cough or cold medicine may contain phenylalanine. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), check the medication label to see if the product contains phenylalanine.