Chlorpheniramine+codeine
About Chlorpheniramine+codeine
Chlorpheniramine+codeine belongs to a class of medication called ‘cough and cold preparations’, primarily used to treat a dry cough associated with a common cold or upper respiratory allergies. Coughing (dry or productive) is the body’s way of clearing irritants (like allergens, mucus, or smoke) from airways and preventing infection. There are two types of coughs: a Dry cough and a chesty cough. A dry cough is tickly and doesn't produce any viscous or thick mucus, while a chesty cough (wet cough) means mucus or sputum is created to help clear your airways.
Chlorpheniramine+codeine is a combination of two drugs: Chlorpheniramine (antihistamine) and Codeine (cough suppressant). Chlorpheniramine belongs to the class of antihistamines (anti-allergic drugs) that work by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. Codeine belongs to the class of cough suppressants that block the μ-opioid receptor in the brain that produces cough, thereby decreasing the urge to cough.
Take Chlorpheniramine+codeine as prescribed by your doctor. Take Chlorpheniramine+codeine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain side effects, including drowsiness, dry mouth, vomiting, blurred vision, constipation, dizziness, or tiredness. Most of these side effects of Chlorpheniramine+codeine do not require medical attention and typically resolve on their own over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Please tell your doctor if you are allergic to Chlorpheniramine+codeine or any other medicines. Drink plenty of fluids while taking Chlorpheniramine+codeine to help loosen mucus and protect yourself from dehydration or overheating during exercise. In hot weather, as Chlorpheniramine+codeine contains chlorpheniramine, it decreases sweating and increases the risk of heatstroke. Do not take Chlorpheniramine+codeine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as it may cause adverse effects on the baby. Chlorpheniramine+codeine is not recommended for children below 18 years of age. Do not take Chlorpheniramine+codeine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor (anti-depressant medication like Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Selegiline, and Tranylcypromine) in the last 14 days, as it may cause life-threatening drug interactions. Chlorpheniramine+codeine is a habit-forming drug, and hence there is a risk of dependence on Chlorpheniramine+codeine. So, before stopping Chlorpheniramine+codeine, contact a doctor as it may cause withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, increased heart rate, tremors, or general unwell feelings.
Uses of Chlorpheniramine+codeine
• Cough Relief: By calming the throat and lowering the urge to cough, Chlorpheniramine+codeine is frequently used to treat dry coughs.
• Sore Throat Alleviation: It facilitates speaking and swallowing by relieving the discomfort and irritation that come with a sore throat.
• Treatment for Bronchial Irritation: Chlorpheniramine+codeine can be used to alleviate symptoms of bronchial irritation, particularly when respiratory infections are present.
• Exectorant: Chlorpheniramine+codeine may aid in thinning mucus in the airways, facilitating its expulsion and relieving congestion.
• Allergy-related Cough: It can help manage allergy-related coughs, lowering symptoms and enhancing comfort when breathing.
Medicinal Benefits
Chlorpheniramine+codeine is a combination of two drugs: Chlorpheniramine and Codeine. Chlorpheniramine belongs to the class of antihistamines (anti-allergic drugs) that work by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. It helps provide relief from allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, a runny nose, watery eyes, itching, swelling, congestion, or stiffness. Codeine belongs to the class of narcotic cough suppressants that block the μ-opioid receptor in the brain that produces cough, thereby decreasing the urge to cough. Chlorpheniramine+codeine is used to treat cough associated with a common cold or upper respiratory allergies.
Directions for Use
- Chlorpheniramine+codeine can be taken with or without food, or as advised by your doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Swallow Chlorpheniramine+codeine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Chlorpheniramine+codeine
- Dizziness/Drowsiness
- Mood changes
- Tiredness/weakness
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Coordination problems
Drug Warnings
Please tell your doctor if you are allergic to Chlorpheniramine+codeine or any other medicines. Do not take Chlorpheniramine+codeine for a prolonged time; $ name contains codeine that may lead to mental or physical dependence on Chlorpheniramine+codeine. Do not take Chlorpheniramine+codeine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as it may cause adverse effects on the baby. Chlorpheniramine+codeine is not recommended for children below 18 years of age. Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, as a dangerous drug interaction could occur. Chlorpheniramine+codeine should be taken with extreme caution in patients who have a history of alcoholism or drug abuse. Drink plenty of fluids while taking Chlorpheniramine+codeine to help loosen mucus and protect yourself from dehydration or overheating during exercise. In hot weather, as Chlorpheniramine+codeine contains chlorpheniramine, it decreases sweating and increases the risk of heatstroke. If you have high blood pressure, fits, glaucoma, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), chronic bronchitis, asthma, cough with mucus, cough caused by smoking, chronic bronchitis or emphysema (a lung condition causing shortness of breath), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), blockage in stomach or intestines, kidney, liver, heart or urinary problems, inform your doctor before taking Chlorpheniramine+codeine.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Chlorpheniramine+codeine may have interaction with anti-allergic drugs (diphenhydramine, cetirizine, brompheniramine, diphenhydramine, fexofenadine), cough suppressants (dextromethorphan), antidepressants (duloxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, trazodone), narcotic analgesics (hydrocodone, bupropion, morphine, oxycodone) and antianxiety drug (alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam, temazepam), fits related drugs (phenytoin, clonazepam, carbamazepine).
Drug-Food Interaction: Chlorpheniramine+codeine may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid alcohol consumption with Chlorpheniramine+codeine as it may increase the risk of fatal side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, slow breathing, or death.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have chronic bronchitis, asthma, cough with mucus, cough caused by smoking, chronic bronchitis or emphysema (a lung condition causing shortness of breath), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), drug dependence, high blood pressure, fits, glaucoma, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), blockage in stomach or intestines, phenylketonuria (a birth defect that causes accumulation of amino acid, phenylalanine in the body), enlarged prostate, pheochromocytoma (tumour in the adrenal glands), kidney, liver, heart or urinary problems, inform your doctor before taking Chlorpheniramine+codeine.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Chlorpheniramine+codeine as it may increase the risk of drowsiness and other adverse effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeChlorpheniramine+codeine is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Chlorpheniramine+codeine may cause harmful effects on the baby (foetus). Please consult your doctor. So your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Chlorpheniramine+codeine for you.
Breast Feeding
unsafeChlorpheniramine+codeine may be excreted in breast milk and cause harm to the baby. Therefore, Chlorpheniramine+codeine should not be used by breastfeeding mothers without consulting a doctor.
Driving
unsafeChlorpheniramine+codeine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, or impaired thinking in some people. Therefore, drive only if you are alert after taking Chlorpheniramine+codeine.
Liver
cautionTake Chlorpheniramine+codeine with caution if you have liver problems. The dose adjustments may be required. Please consult your doctor.
Kidney
cautionTake Chlorpheniramine+codeine with caution if you have kidney problems. The dose adjustments may be required. Please consult your doctor.
Children
unsafeChlorpheniramine+codeine is not recommended for children below 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid dairy products such as milk, as they may increase mucus production. Also, avoid processed or refined foods to relieve a cough. Instead, replace baked foods, fried foods, white bread, white pasta, French fries, sugary desserts, and chips with green leafy vegetables.
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid a dry throat while you cough and loosen mucus.
- Avoid citrus fruits as they may worsen the cough. Eat fruits rich in water content such as pears, watermelon, peaches and pineapples.
Special Advise
- Do not take Chlorpheniramine+codeine for a prolonged time, as it may lead to mental or physical dependence on Chlorpheniramine+codeine.
- To avoid getting addicted to this drug, take it only in prescribed quantities and as directed by your doctor. Do not self-medicate.
- Chlorpheniramine+codeine causes drowsiness. Avoid doing activities that require your complete focus and attention, like driving, when on this drug.
- An abrupt stoppage of Chlorpheniramine+codeine can lead to significant withdrawal symptoms. Always discuss with your doctor the possibility of decreasing the dosage before completely stopping its use.
- Avoid consuming alcohol while on this medication, as it can lead to dangerous side effects.
- Chlorpheniramine+codeine is unsafe for usage if you're pregnant or plan to get pregnant and breastfeed. Discuss with your doctor in such situations about changing or replacing the medicine with safer alternatives.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Cough: Coughing is the body’s way of clearing irritants (like allergens, mucus, or smoke) from airways and preventing infection. Coughs may be dry or productive. A productive cough (wet cough) brings sputum (phlegm, mucus, and other matter) from the lungs. Cough is commonly caused by a response to allergy or viral infection, but coughing up mucus is possibly an indication of infection in the respiratory tract. If you are coughing up thick, solid white mucus, it may indicate a bacterial infection in the airways. If the mucus is clear or light-coloured, it indicates you may have allergies or minor infections in the respiratory tract, and yellow or green mucus indicates a respiratory infection.
FAQs
Chlorpheniramine+codeine is used to treat dry cough associated with a common cold or upper respiratory allergies.
Chlorpheniramine+codeine is a combination of two drugs, namely, Chlorpheniramine and Codeine, which relieves a dry cough. Chlorpheniramine Maleate is an antihistamine that blocks the action of a chemical messenger (histamine), which may trigger a cough due to allergy. Codeine is a cough suppressant. It suppresses cough by reducing the activity of the cough centre in the brain.
Do not take Chlorpheniramine+codeine with alprazolam, as co-administration of these two medicines may increase adverse effects such as sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. However, please consult a doctor before taking Chlorpheniramine+codeine with other medicines.
Chlorpheniramine+codeine is excreted in breast milk and may cause drowsiness, breathing problems, or death in a nursing baby. Therefore, if breastfeeding, please inform your doctor before taking Chlorpheniramine+codeine. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing them.
Chlorpheniramine+codeine is not recommended for children below 18 years of age, as misuse of Chlorpheniramine+codeine in children may lead to serious adverse effects. Codeine in Chlorpheniramine+codeine may cause life-threatening respiratory depression and death in children who have recently had surgery to remove the tonsils or adenoids.
Chlorpheniramine+codeine may be used to provide relief from allergic symptoms, such as sneezing, a runny nose, throat irritation, or watery eyes. Chlorpheniramine+codeine contains Chlorpheniramine, an antihistamine drug that works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions.
Chlorpheniramine+codeine is unsafe to use in pregnancy. Chlorpheniramine+codeine contains codeine. If you use Chlorpheniramine+codeine while pregnant, your baby could become dependent on codeine. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born.
Yes, codeine in Chlorpheniramine+codeine may cause mental or physical dependence if used for prolonged periods. Therefore, take Chlorpheniramine+codeine only in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor.
You are not recommended to stop taking Chlorpheniramine+codeine even if you feel better, as you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, watery eyes, a runny nose, nausea, sweating, and muscle aches. To avoid withdrawal symptoms, your doctor may gradually reduce your dose. The risk of withdrawal is higher if you've been using the medication for a long period (more than a few weeks) or at high doses. If you experience withdrawal symptoms or any difficulty while taking Chlorpheniramine+codeine, please consult your doctor.
Yes, Chlorpheniramine+codeine may cause drowsiness or sleepiness as it is one of its common side effects. However, please consult a doctor if the condition persists for longer than expected.
Yes, there are serious side effects associated with the use of Chlorpheniramine+codeine such as noisy breathing, shallow breathing, breathing that stops during sleep, confusion, severe drowsiness, light-headed feeling, severe constipation or adrenal gland problems (nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling very dizzy, weak or tired). Stop using Chlorpheniramine+codeine, and consult a doctor if you have any of these symptoms.
No, taking a higher dose of Chlorpheniramine+codeine will not be more effective; instead, it can lead to increased side effects. Therefore, do not exceed the recommended dose. If symptoms such as confusion, seizures, cold or clammy skin, or irregular heartbeat occur or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Yes, the use of Chlorpheniramine+codeine can cause constipation. It is a temporary side effect and does not require any medical treatment. Please contact a physician if this persists or worsens.
Avoid alcohol while using Chlorpheniramine+codeine, as it can increase drowsiness, slow your breathing, and pose other risks. However, if you have any concerns about this, please consult your doctor.
Store Chlorpheniramine+codeine at a temperature below 25°C in a cool and dry place as advised on the label. Protect from light and moisture. Keep it out of reach of children. Chlorpheniramine+codeine should be disposed, by following local guidelines or asking your pharmacist how to properly dispose of any unused medicine.
