Dextromethorphan/Chlorpheniramine, Oral deks-troh-meth-OR-fan klor-fen-IR-a-meen

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antitussive/antihistamine

Generic and brand names: dextromethorphan and chlorpheniramine, oral; Coricidin HBP Cough and Cold; Dimetapp Children’s Long Acting Cough Plus Cold; Robitussin Children’s Cough & Cold Long Acting; Triaminic Softchews Cough & Runny Nose; Vicks Children's Nyquil (There may be other brand names for this medicine.)

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine combines a cough suppressant and an antihistamine. It is taken by mouth to relieve the symptoms of coughs, colds, and allergies.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergy to any medicine
• an enlarged prostate gland or trouble urinating
• asthma or other breathing problems, including a cough
• diabetes
• glaucoma
• heart disease or heart rhythm problems
• kidney or liver disease
• phenylketonuria (PKU). This medicine may contain phenylalanine.
• thyroid problems

Do not give this medicine to a child under age 4 unless specifically instructed to do so by your healthcare provider. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

Some medicines may contain sodium. Talk with your healthcare provider about this if you are on a sodium-restricted diet.

Do not take this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days. Using these products together can cause very serious side effects.

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes or carefully follow the directions on the package. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than directed because of the increased risk of side effects.

This medicine may come in different forms. If you have extended-release tablets or capsules, do not break, crush, or chew them. Swallow them whole. Ask your pharmacist if you have the extended-release tablets or capsules.

If you are using the liquid form of this medicine, use a special dose measuring spoon or cup to measure out the correct dose. Some liquid forms of this medicine (suspensions) may need to be shaken well before use. If you have the chewable tablet, chew the tablet completely. Do not swallow it whole.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: cold clammy skin, confusion, dark urine, drowsiness, extreme dizziness, fainting, fast or irregular heartbeat, flushing, hallucinations, nausea, pinpoint pupils, slow shallow breathing, stomach pain, sweating, vomiting, seizures, coma.

What should I watch out for?

Do not give a child under age 4 any cough and cold medicines unless specifically instructed to do so by your healthcare provider. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

The antihistamine and cough suppressant in this medicine may make you drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

The antihistamine and cough suppressant increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down the central nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.

Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your provider about this.

If you need emergency care or surgery, tell the healthcare provider you are taking this medicine.

Contact your healthcare provider if your symptoms do not improve or get worse after taking the medicine for a few days.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fast or irregular heartbeat; chest tightness or pain; seizures; extreme tiredness; trouble urinating; mood changes; sore throat; fever; slowed breathing; change in vision; severe confusion or hallucinations.

Other: Drowsiness, dizziness, loss of appetite, dry mouth, nervousness, nausea, constipation, trouble sleeping, headache.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• abiraterone (Zytiga)
• alcohol
• antianxiety medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and oxazepam
• antiarrhythmics (medicines to treat irregular heartbeat) such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone) and quinidine
• anticholinergic medicines such as benztropine (Cogentin), dicyclomine (Bentyl), atropine sulfate, belladonna, propantheline, methscopolamine (Pamine), l-hyoscyamine (Levsin, Levsinex), amantadine (Symmetrel), and trihexyphenidyl
• antidepressants such as amitriptyline, bupropion (Wellbutrin), citalopram (Celexa), doxepin, escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox CR), imipramine (Tofranil), nefazodone, nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, venlafaxine (Effexor), and vilazodone (Viibryd)
• anti-HIV medicines such as delavirdine (Rescriptor) and ritonavir (Norvir)
• antinausea medicines such as prochlorperazine (Compro) and promethazine (Phenergan)
• antipsychotic medicines such as chlorpromazine, haloperidol (Haldol), trifluoperazine, thioridazine, risperidone (Risperdal), pimozide (Orap), and ziprasidone (Geodon)
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), and valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene)
• barbiturates such as butabarbital (Butisol), pentobarbital (Nembutal), and phenobarbital
• linezolid (Zyvox)
• imatinib (Gleevec)
• isoniazid
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) (Do not take this medicine and an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of each other.)
• medicines to treat Alzheimer's such as donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Razadyne), rivastigmine (Exelon)
• medicines to treat migraine headaches such as dihydroergotamine (DHE), ergotamine (Ergomar), naratriptan (Amerge), almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), rizatriptan (Maxalt), eletriptan (Relpax) zolmitriptan (Zomig), and sumatriptan succinate (Imitrex)
• milnacipran (Savella)
• muscle relaxants such as baclofen (Lioresal), carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), dantrolene (Dantrium), methocarbamol (Robaxin), and tizanidine (Zanaflex)
• pain medicines such as codeine, fentanyl (Duragesic patches), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), oxycodone (Percocet, Tylox, OxyContin), meperidine (Demerol), methadone (Dolophine), morphine (MS Contin), pentazocine (Talwin), and tramadol (Ultram)
• natural remedies such as gotu kola, kava, St. John's wort, and valerian
• other allergy, cough, or cold medicines that contain an antihistamine, decongestant, or cough suppressant
• procarbazine (Matulane)
• rasagiline (Azilect)
• sedatives such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), flurazepam, pentobarbital (Nembutal), phenobarbital, triazolam (Halcion), zaleplon (Sonata), zolpidem (Ambien), and temazepam (Restoril)
• stimulants such as dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat) and methamphetamine (Desoxyn)

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.