Pronunciation: KLOR-fen-IR-a-meen/KOE-deen
Generic Name: Chlorpheniramine/Codeine
Brand Name: Examples include Cotab A and Cotab AX
Chlorpheniramine/Codeine is used for:
Relieving runny nose, sneezing, and cough due to colds, upper respiratory infections, and allergies. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Chlorpheniramine/Codeine is an antihistamine and narcotic cough suppressant combination. The antihistamine works by blocking the action of histamine, which helps reduce symptoms, such as watery eyes and sneezing. The cough suppressant works in the brain to help decrease the cough reflex, which reduces a dry cough.
Do NOT use Chlorpheniramine/Codeine if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Chlorpheniramine/Codeine or any other codeine- or morphine-related medicine (eg, oxycodone)
- you have severe high blood pressure, severe heart blood vessel disease, angle-closure glaucoma, or peptic ulcers
- you are unable to urinate or are having an asthma attack
- you are taking sodium oxybate (GHB) or you have taken furazolidone or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Chlorpheniramine/Codeine:
Some medical conditions may interact with Chlorpheniramine/Codeine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have heart blood vessel problems, irregular heartbeat, or any other heart problems (eg, cor pulmonale)
- if you have a history of high blood pressure; diabetes; liver or kidney problems; stroke; glaucoma or increased pressure in the eye; a blockage of your bladder, stomach, or bowels; ulcers; trouble urinating; an enlarged prostate or other prostate problems; or thyroid problems
- if you have a history of asthma, chronic cough, lung or breathing problems (eg, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, sleep apnea, slow or irregular breathing), or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or if your cough occurs with large amounts of mucus
- if you have severe drowsiness, recent head or brain injury, brain tumor, increased pressure in the brain, infection of the brain or nervous system, or a seizure disorder (eg, epilepsy)
- if you are dehydrated, have very poor health, have a history of constipation, stomach problems (eg, ulcers), bowel problems (eg, chronic inflammation or ulceration of the bowel), or gallbladder problems (eg, gallstones), or if you have had recent stomach, bowel, or urinary surgery
- if you have a history of alcohol or substance abuse or suicidal thoughts or behavior
- if you are taking medicine for high blood pressure or depression
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Chlorpheniramine/Codeine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Anticholinergics (eg, scopolamine) because a serious bowel motility problem (paralytic ileus) may occur
- Cimetidine, furazolidone, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), MAOIs (eg, phenelzine), sodium oxybate (GHB), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they may increase the risk of Chlorpheniramine/Codeine's side effects
- Naltrexone, quinidine, or rifamycins (eg, rifampin) because they may decrease Chlorpheniramine/Codeine's effectiveness
- Narcotic pain medicines (eg, hydrocodone) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Chlorpheniramine/Codeine
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Chlorpheniramine/Codeine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Chlorpheniramine/Codeine:
Use Chlorpheniramine/Codeine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Chlorpheniramine/Codeine by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
- If you miss a dose of Chlorpheniramine/Codeine and you are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Chlorpheniramine/Codeine.
Important safety information:
- Chlorpheniramine/Codeine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Chlorpheniramine/Codeine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Chlorpheniramine/Codeine; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
- Chlorpheniramine/Codeine may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- Do not use Chlorpheniramine/Codeine for a cough with a lot of mucus. Do not use it for a long-term cough (eg, caused by asthma, emphysema, smoking). However, you may use it for these conditions if your doctor tells you to.
- Chlorpheniramine/Codeine has chlorpheniramine in it. Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has chlorpheniramine in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
- If your cough or other symptoms persist for more than 5 days or come back, or if you also have fever, rash, or persistent headache, check with your doctor.
- Chlorpheniramine/Codeine may interfere with skin allergy tests. If you are scheduled for a skin test, talk to your doctor. You may need to stop taking Chlorpheniramine/Codeine for a few days before the tests.
- Chlorpheniramine/Codeine may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Chlorpheniramine/Codeine. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Chlorpheniramine/Codeine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Use Chlorpheniramine/Codeine with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, low blood pressure, excitability, dry mouth, and trouble urinating.
- Caution is advised when using Chlorpheniramine/Codeine in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially excitability.
- Chlorpheniramine/Codeine should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 6 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Chlorpheniramine/Codeine while you are pregnant. Do not take Chlorpheniramine/Codeine if you are in the third trimester of pregnancy. It is not known if Chlorpheniramine/Codeine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Chlorpheniramine/Codeine.
When used for long periods of time or at high doses, Chlorpheniramine/Codeine may not work as well and may require higher doses to obtain the same effect as when originally taken. This is known as TOLERANCE. Talk with your doctor if Chlorpheniramine/Codeine stops working well. Do not take more than prescribed.
When used for long periods of time or at high doses, some people develop a need to continue taking Chlorpheniramine/Codeine. This is known as DEPENDENCE or addiction.
If you suddenly stop taking Chlorpheniramine/Codeine, you may experience WITHDRAWAL symptoms including anxiety; diarrhea; fever, runny nose, or sneezing; goose bumps and abnormal skin sensations; nausea; vomiting; pain; rigid muscles; rapid heartbeat; seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not there; shivering or tremors; sweating; trouble sleeping.
Possible side effects of Chlorpheniramine/Codeine:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth, nose, or throat; excitability; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; thickening of mucus secretions; upset stomach; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision, double vision, or other vision changes; confusion; difficulty urinating or inability to urinate; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; loss of coordination; mood or mental changes; nervousness; ringing in the ears; seizures; severe dizziness, lightheadedness, or headache; severe drowsiness; shallow breathing; tremor; trouble sleeping; uncontrolled muscle movements; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual weakness or tiredness.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Chlorpheniramine/Codeine side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include blurred vision; chest pain; cold or clammy skin; confusion; difficult or very slow breathing; hallucinations; seizures; severe dizziness, lightheadedness, or headache; severe drowsiness; unusually fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; vomiting.
Proper storage of Chlorpheniramine/Codeine:
Store Chlorpheniramine/Codeine at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Chlorpheniramine/Codeine out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Chlorpheniramine/Codeine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Chlorpheniramine/Codeine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Chlorpheniramine/Codeine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Chlorpheniramine/Codeine resources
- Chlorpheniramine/Codeine Side Effects (in more detail)
- Chlorpheniramine/Codeine Dosage
- Chlorpheniramine/Codeine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Chlorpheniramine/Codeine Drug Interactions
- Chlorpheniramine/Codeine Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Chlorpheniramine/Codeine - Add your own review/rating
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