Hydrocodone Polistirex/Chlorpheniramine Polistirex, Oral hy-droh-KOH-done pol-is-TY-rex klor-fen-IR-a-meen

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antihistamine; antitussive (cough suppressant)

Generic and brand names: hydrocodone polistirex and chlorpheniramine polistirex, oral; TussiCaps; Tussionex; Tussionex Pennkinetic ER

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to relieve a cough and runny nose caused by flu, allergies, or the common cold. This medicine is a combination of a narcotic cough suppressant and an antihistamine.

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 allergic reaction to any medicine
• a thyroid disorder
• Addison's disease
• an enlarged prostate gland
• asthma or other breathing problems
• brain disease or a head injury
• glaucoma
• heart disease
• liver or kidney disease
• problems with alcohol or drug abuse
• stomach or intestinal problems
• trouble urinating

Females of childbearing age: Tell 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.

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. Do not take more of it or for longer than prescribed. If you take too much of this medicine:

• It may be habit forming.
• Your breathing may become slow or difficult.

Do not dilute this medicine with other liquids or mix it with other medicines. Shake this medicine well before using. Take this medicine by itself. Use a specially marked measuring spoon to measure each dose. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

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: drowsiness, slow breathing, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting.

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.

This medicine may cause drowsiness and blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery until you are fully alert and can see clearly.

Contact your healthcare provider if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse within a few days.

This medicine is a controlled substance. It is illegal to give this medicine to anyone else.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the health care provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your health care provider approves.

This medicine may make you constipated. You may need to take a laxative or stool softener while taking this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about this.

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

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; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider or get emergency medical care right away): Slowed breathing, trouble breathing, severe drowsiness, severe rash or hives, fever, headache, trouble urinating.

Other: Drowsiness, unexplained mood changes, blurred vision, tiredness, itching, muscle weakness, nervousness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth or throat.

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:

• antianxiety medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and oxazepam
• antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), hydroxyzine (Vistaril), and meclizine (Antivert, Dramamine)
• antipsychotic medicines such as chlorpromazine, haloperidol (Haldol), olanzapine (Zyprexa), prochlorperazine (Compro), risperidone (Risperdal), thioridazine, trifluoperazine, and ziprasidone (Geodon)
• barbiturates such as butabarbital (Butisol), pentobarbital (Nembutal), phenobarbital, and secobarbital (Seconal)
• natural remedies such as gotu kola, kava, St. John's wort, and valerian
• 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.)
• narcotics such as codeine, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), hydrocodone, meperidine (Demerol), methadone (Dolophine), morphine, oxycodone (Oxy IR, OxyContin), and combination products such as Percocet, Vicodin, and Lorcet
• other cough and cold medicines
• sleeping pills such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), flurazepam, phenobarbital, temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien)
• stomach medicines or medicines for an overactive bowel such as dicyclomine hydrochloride (Bentyl)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin, imipramine (Tofranil), and nortriptyline (Pamelor)

If you are taking any of these medicines, your healthcare provider may have to adjust your dosage.

Do not drink alcohol while 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.