What is chlorpheniramine?
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.
Chlorpheniramine is used to treat runny nose, sneezing, itching, and watery eyes caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.
Chlorpheniramine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about chlorpheniramine?
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, heart disease, or a thyroid disorder.
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.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking chlorpheniramine?
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, heart disease, or a thyroid disorder.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take chlorpheniramine if you have:
a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines), a colostomy or ileostomy;
liver or kidney disease;
cough with mucus, or cough caused by smoking, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis;
enlarged prostate or urination problems; 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 will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without medical advice if you are pregnant.
Chlorpheniramine may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Antihistamines may also slow breast milk production. Do not use this medicine without medical 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.