Acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine

Generic name: Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, And Phenylephrine
Drug class: Upper respiratory combinations

Usage of Acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer.

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.

Phenylephrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

Acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine is a combination medicine used to treat headache, fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and sinus congestion caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

Acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal. This could occur even if you have taken acetaminophen in the past and had no reaction. Stop taking acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling. If you have this type of reaction, you should never again take any medicine that contains acetaminophen.

This medicine may cause serious side effects. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

chest pain, rapid pulse, fast or uneven heart rate;

confusion, hallucinations, severe nervousness;

tremor, seizure (convulsions);

easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

little or no urinating;

nausea, pain in your upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes); or

dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, and confusion may be more likely in older adults.

Common side effects of acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine may include:

dizziness, drowsiness;

mild headache, blurred vision;

dry mouth, nose, or throat;

constipation;

feeling nervous; or

sleep problems (insomnia);

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.

Before taking Acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, or phenylephrine.

Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medicine if you have other medical conditions, especially:

asthma or COPD, cough with mucus, or cough caused by smoking, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis;

a blockage in your stomach or intestines;

liver disease, alcoholism, or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day;

kidney disease;

high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, or recent heart attack;

enlarged prostate or urination problems;

glaucoma;

diabetes;

overactive thyroid;

pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumor); or

if you take potassium (Cytra, Epiklor, K-Lyte, K-Phos, Kaon, Klor-Con, Polycitra, Urocit-K).

It is not known whether acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without your doctor's advice if you are pregnant.

This medication may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Antihistamines and decongestants may also slow breast milk production. Do not use this medicine without your doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Relate drugs

How to use Acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine

Usual Adult Dose for Cold Symptoms:

acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine varying strength oral kit:Day time tablets (without chlorpheniramine): 2 tablets every 4 hours not to exceed 8 tablets daily.Night time tablets: 2 tablets every 4 hours no sooner than 4 hours after the last day time dose not to exceed 4 tablets daily.

Usual Adult Dose for Sinus Symptoms:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Cold Symptoms:

acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine varying strength oral kit:12 years or older: Day time tablets (without chlorpheniramine): 2 tablets every 4 hours not to exceed 8 tablets daily. Night time tablets: 2 tablets every 4 hours no sooner than 4 hours after the last day time dose not to exceed 4 tablets daily.acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine 160 mg-1 mg-2.5 mg/5 mL oral liquid:6 to 11 years or 22 to 43 kg: 10 mL orally every 4 hours not to exceed 5 doses.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Sinus Symptoms:

Warnings

Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death. Call your doctor at once if you have nausea, pain in your upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

What other drugs will affect Acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine if you are also using any other drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used together. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can worsen these effects. Ask your doctor before taking acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

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