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

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

The combination of carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine is used to treat cough and nasal and sinus congestion caused by the common cold, flu, or bronchitis.

Carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any cough, cold, or allergy medicine. Many combination medicines available over the counter may contain similar drug ingredients. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of a certain drug. Check the label to see if a medicine contains a decongestant or cough suppressant.

Do not take 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.

Do not take 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 take this medication if you are allergic to carbetapentane or pseudoephedrine, or if you have severe or untreated high blood pressure or coronary artery disease.

To make sure you can safely take carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• heart disease or high blood pressure;

• a seizure disorder;

• glaucoma;

• an enlarged prostate or problems with urination;

• diabetes; or

• a thyroid disorder.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

Carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.