Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan
About Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan
Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan is used to treat dry cough. Coughing is the body’s way of clearing irritants (such as allergens, mucus, or smoke) from the airways. A dry cough is tickly and doesn't produce any viscous or thick mucus, while a chesty cough (wet cough) means mucous or sputum is produced to help clear your airways.
Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan is a combination of chlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan. Chlorpheniramine works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance involved in allergic reactions. Dextromethorphan blocks the transmission of nerve signals from the cough centre in the brain to the muscles that produce cough.
Some people may experience dry mouth, throat, or nose; drowsiness; blurred vision; constipation; dizziness; or restlessness or excitation. Most of the side effects do not require medical attention. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor before using Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan. Avoid using Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan if you have taken medications such as linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, or Isocarboxazid in the past 14 days.
Uses of Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan
Medicinal Benefits
- Dry cough relief: Helps lessen a persistent, bothersome cough by suppressing the cough reflex.
- Reduces allergy symptoms: Reduces runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, and allergy-related itching.
- Flu and cold relief: Helps control common cold symptoms and improve overall comfort.
- Reduces throat irritation: Alleviates cough-related dryness and throat discomfort.
- Enhances sleep: It helps people sleep better at night by reducing allergy symptoms and coughing.
- Reduces allergy-related nasal congestion: Antihistamines help reduce nasal secretions.
- Promotes respiratory comfort: During upper respiratory infections, this helps patients breathe more easily.
Directions for Use
- Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan can be taken with or without food. However, taking it with food or milk may help reduce stomach upset.
- It is recommended to take Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan every 4-6 hours or as advised by your doctor.
- Shake the bottle well before each use.
- Take the prescribed dose by mouth using the measuring cup provided with the pack.
- Avoid using regular household spoons, as they may not measure the dose correctly.
Storage
Side Effects of Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan
- Dry mouth, throat or nose
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Restlessness or excitation
Medicines Containing this Salt
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Drug Warnings
- If you are allergic to Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan or any other medicines, please tell your doctor.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor before using Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan.
- Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan is not recommended for children below 2 years of age.
- If you are about to undergo any medical tests or surgery, please inform your doctor that you are taking Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan.
- Avoid using Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan if you have taken medications such as linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, rasagiline, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine, or methylene blue injection in the past 14 days.
- Drink plenty of fluids while taking Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan to loosen mucus.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Inform your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines, as there may be an interaction.
- MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, phenelzine)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of side effects like high blood pressure and serotonin syndrome. - Antidepressants (escitalopram, desvenlafaxine)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. - Anti-allergic drugs (diphenhydramine)
• Potential effect: May cause side effects like dizziness or confusion.
Drug-Food Interaction: Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid the consumption of alcohol with Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan, as it may increase the risk of adverse effects such as drowsiness, dizziness or difficulty in concentrating.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform your doctor if you have any of these conditions.
- Glaucoma
- Urinary problems
- Enlarged prostate
- Phenylketonuria (a congenital disability that causes the accumulation of the amino acid, phenylalanine in the body)
- Cough with mucus or cough caused by asthma,
- Emphysema (a lung condition causing shortness of breath).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan as it may increase drowsiness. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorThe safety of Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan in pregnant women is unknown. Therefore, it is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorIt is unknown whether Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan is excreted in human milk. Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan is given to breastfeeding mothers only if the doctor thinks benefits are greater than risks.
Driving
cautionChlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan may cause dizziness or drowsiness in some people. Therefore, drive only if you are alert after taking Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan.
Liver
cautionTake Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan with caution, especially if you have a history of liver disease. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
consult your doctorIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan in patients with kidney problems, please consult a doctor.
Children
consult your doctorChlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan is not recommended for children below 2 years of age. However, please consult a doctor before using Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Diet:
- To ease the throat and reduce coughing, drink lots of warm liquids, such as water, soups, and herbal teas.
- Avoid alcohol, as it may intensify the drowsiness that the medication causes.
- Eat balanced, light meals to avoid unsettled stomachs.
- Avoid spicy or extremely cold foods if they aggravate your cough or sore throat.
Lifestyle changes:
- To aid the body's faster recovery, obtain sufficient sleep and rest.
- Avoid dust, smoke, and other irritants that can exacerbate allergy or cough symptoms.
- To stop infections and the spread of disease, practice excellent hygiene, such as washing your hands frequently.
Stress management:
- To reduce stress and facilitate healing, engage in relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation.
- To elevate your mood and lessen tension, engage in simple activities like taking a leisurely stroll or listening to relaxing music.
Environmental changes:
- Keep your environment free of smoke, dust, and strong odours that could aggravate your allergies or cough.
- If the air is dry, use a humidifier to assist in relieving sore throats and lessen coughing.
Special Advise
- Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan may contain phenylalanine, so check the medication label if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
- Do not use Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan only to make a child sleepy.
- Contact doctor if your symptoms do not improve even after 7 days.
- Contact doctor immediately if you develop fever, rash or headaches after taking Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Cough: Coughing is the body’s way of clearing irritants (such as allergens, mucus, or smoke) from the airways and preventing infection. Coughs may be dry or productive. A productive cough (wet cough) brings up sputum (phlegm, mucus and other matter) from the lungs. Cough is commonly caused by an allergy or a viral infection, but coughing up mucus may be a sign of a respiratory tract infection. If you are coughing thick, solid white mucus, you may have a bacterial infection in the airways. If the mucus is clear or light-coloured, if you have allergies or minor infections in the respiratory tract, or if yellow or green mucus indicates a respiratory infection.
FAQs
Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan is used to treat dry cough. It helps relieve overall cough‚ cold and allergic symptoms.
Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan contains Chlorpheniramine and Dextromethorphan. Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine (anti-allergic drug) that works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance that triggers allergic reactions. It helps relieve allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, itching, swelling, congestion or stiffness. Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that works by blocking the transmission of nerve signals from the cough centre in the brain to the muscles that produce cough. Thus, decreases the urge to cough.
No, you are not recommended to consume alcohol with Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan as it may increase drowsiness. However, please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan.
Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan may be used to provide relief from allergic symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, throat irritation or watery eyes. Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan contains Chlorpheniramine, an anti-allergic drug that works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions.
Yes, Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan may cause dry mouth as a temporary side effect in some people. It is not necessary for everyone taking Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan to experience this side effect. However, to avoid such side effects, drink plenty of water, regularly rinse your mouth, practice good oral hygiene and suck on sugarless candy. However, if the condition persists or worsens, please consult a doctor.
Yes, Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan may cause drowsiness or dizziness. It is not necessary for everyone taking Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan to experience this side effect. However, avoid driving if you feel drowsy or dizzy after taking Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan.
You are recommended to take Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. However, if the symptoms persist or worsen with rash, fever or persistent headache after 1 week of using Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan, please consult your doctor.
No, you are not recommended to stop taking Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan without consulting your doctor as it may worsen cough or cause recurring symptoms. Therefore, take Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, and if you experience any difficulty while taking Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan, please consult your doctor.
Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan may cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, blurred vision, restlessness, or dry mouth/throat/nose. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
No, you are not recommended to use Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan if you are taking medicines for psychiatric illness. However, please consult your doctor before taking Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan with other medicines.
Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan begins to show its action approximately after 2 hours of taking it. However, it differs from person to person based on their physiological nature.
Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan contains Chlorpheniramine, which increases the pressure in the eye and thus reduces the effectiveness of glaucoma medications. Therefore, discuss with your doctor about your eye problem before using Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan.
There is limited information regarding this. Therefore, please consult your doctor before using Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan if you are breastfeeding.
No, taking Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan in more than the recommended dose will not make it more effective, rather it can increase side effects. If the symptoms are not relieved by the recommended doses, please consult your doctor.
If you forget to take a dose of Chlorpheniramine+dextromethorphan, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next scheduled dose in the prescribed time. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one as this may increase the risk of side effects.
