Generic Name: chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine (klor fen EER a meen, dye hye droe KOE deen, soo doe e FED rin)
Brand names: Dihydro-CP, Hydro-Tussin DHC, Pancof, Uni-Cof
What is chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine?
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.
Dihydrocodeine is a narcotic cough suppressant similar to codeine. Dihydrocodeine affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.
Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).
The combination of chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine is used to treat cough, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, runny nose, stuffy nose, and sinus congestion caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.
Chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, pseudoephedrine, or codeine, or if you have severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe coronary artery disease, narrow-angle glaucoma, a stomach ulcer, a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus, bladder obstruction or other urination problems, overactive thyroid, or asthma, pneumonia, or other breathing problems.
Before you take chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and other medicines you use.
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. Do not take this medication with alcohol, other narcotic pain medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxers, or other medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing. Dangerous side effects may result. Dihydrocodeine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, cough, allergy, or pain medicine. Antihistamines, decongestants, and cough suppressants are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of a certain drug. Check the label to see if a medicine contains an antihistamine, decongestant, or cough suppressant. This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, pseudoephedrine, or codeine, or if you have:
severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
severe coronary artery disease;
narrow-angle glaucoma;
a stomach ulcer;
a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus;
bladder obstruction or other urination problems;
overactive thyroid; or
asthma, pneumonia, or other breathing problems.
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.
To make sure you can safely take chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
kidney or liver disease;
curvature of the spine;
heart disease or high blood pressure;
enlarged prostate or urination problems;
diabetes;
glaucoma;
a thyroid disorder;
COPD other breathing disorder;
a history of head injury or brain tumor;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
low blood pressure;
gallbladder disease;
Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorders;
mental illness; or
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
Dihydrocodeine may be habit forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Never share this medication with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication will harm an unborn baby. Dihydrocodeine may cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes the medication during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine. This medicine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine.
How should I take chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine?
Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Cough or cold medicine is usually taken for only a short time until your symptoms clear up.
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.
Measure the liquid form of this medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, or skin rash. If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time if you have taken a cough or cold medicine within the past few days.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking an antihistamine.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
See also: Chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine dosage (in more detail)
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since cough or cold medicine is taken when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of dihydrocodeine can be fatal.
Overdose symptoms may include extreme dizziness or drowsiness, confusion, feeling restless or nervous, cold and clammy skin, warmth or tingly feeling, nausea, vomiting, slow or shallow breathing, slow heart rate, pinpoint pupils, seizure (convulsions), or fainting.
What should I avoid while taking chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine?
This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine. Do not take this medication with other narcotic pain medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxers, or other medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing. Life-threatening side effects may result.
Avoid taking diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications) without your doctor's advice. Taking a stimulant together with a decongestant can increase your risk of unpleasant side effects.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, cough, allergy, or pain medicine. Antihistamines, decongestants, and cough suppressants are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of a certain drug. Check the label to see if a medicine contains an antihistamine, decongestant, or cough suppressant.
Chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
weak or shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;
severe dizziness, fainting, anxiety, restless feeling, nervousness, or tremor;
confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
urinating less than usual or not at all; or
dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).
Less serious side effects may include:
blurred vision;
dry mouth;
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, mild loss of appetite;
mild dizziness, drowsiness;
problems with memory or concentration;
ringing in your ears;
warmth, redness, or tingling under your skin;
feeling restless or excited (especially in children);
sleep problems (insomnia); or
skin rash or itching.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Cough and Nasal Congestion:
1 to 2 teaspoonfuls (5 mL to 10 mL) every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Cough and Nasal Congestion:
2 to 5 years:
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoonful (1.25 mL to 2.5 mL) every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
6 to 11 years:
1/2 to 1 teaspoonful (2.5 mL to 5 mL) every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
12 years to 17 years:
1 to 2 teaspoonfuls (5 mL to 10 mL) every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
What other drugs will affect chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
methyldopa (Aldomet);
cimetidine (Tagamet);
rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);
zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT);
aspirin or salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doan's Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others);
a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol (Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others;
antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), and others;
bladder or urinary medications such as oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol) or tolterodine (Detrol);
a diuretic (water pill), or blood pressure medication;
medication to treat irritable bowel syndrome;
medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), mesoridazine (Serentil), pimozide (Orap), or thioridazine (Mellaril); or
seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine resources
- Chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine Side Effects (in more detail)
- Chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine Dosage
- Chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine Drug Interactions
- Chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine Support Group
- 1 Review for Chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine - Add your own review/rating
Compare chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine with other medications
- Cough and Nasal Congestion
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine.
See also: chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine side effects (in more detail)
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