Acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine

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

Usage of Acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer.

Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.

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

Acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine is a combination medicine used to treat headache, fever, body aches, cough, stuffy nose, and sinus congestion caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

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

Acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine 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.

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 this medicine 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.

Stop using acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine and call your doctor at once if you have:

chest pain, fast, slow, or uneven heart rate;

severe dizziness, feeling like you might pass out;

mood changes, confusion, hallucinations, seizure (convulsions);

little or no urinating;

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

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

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

dizziness, weakness, mild headache;

diarrhea, upset stomach;

dry mouth, nose, or throat;

feeling nervous, restless, irritable, or anxious; 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, dextromethorphan, and 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.

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

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

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

high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease;

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

diabetes;

glaucoma;

overactive thyroid;

epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumor); or

bladder obstruction or other urination problems.

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

Acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Decongestants may also slow breast milk production. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Artificially sweetened cold medicine may contain phenylalanine. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), check the medication label to see if the product contains phenylalanine.

Relate drugs

How to use Acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine

Usual Adult Dose for Cold Symptoms:

Acetaminophen 325 mg/ dextromethorphan 10 mg/ phenylephrine 5 mg per softgel/caplet: 2 softgels/caplets every 4 hoursMaximum dose: 4 doses (8 softgels/caplets) per 24 hoursAcetaminophen 325 mg/ dextromethorphan 10 mg/ phenylephrine 5 mg per 15 mL liquid: 30 mL every 4 hoursMaximum dose: 5 doses per 24 hoursAcetaminophen 650 mg/ dextromethorphan 20 mg/ phenylephrine 10 mg per packet: One packet in water every 4 hoursMaximum dose: 6 doses per 24 hoursAcetaminophen 650 mg/ dextromethorphan 20 mg/ phenylephrine 10 mg per 30 mL liquid: 12 years and older: 30 mL every 6 hoursMaximum dose: 5 doses per 24 hoursAcetaminophen 650 mg/ dextromethorphan 30 mg/ phenylephrine 12.5 mg per 30 mL liquid:12 years and older: 30 mL every 6 hours6 to under 12 years: 15 mL every 4 hoursMaximum dose: 4 doses per 24 hours

Usual Pediatric Dose for Cold Symptoms:

Acetaminophen 325 mg/ dextromethorphan 10 mg/ phenylephrine 5 mg per softgel/caplet:12 years and older: 2 softgels/caplets every 4 hoursMaximum dose: 4 doses (8 softgels/caplets) per 24 hoursAcetaminophen 325 mg/ dextromethorphan 10 mg/ phenylephrine 5 mg per 15 mL liquid:12 years and older: 30 mL every 4 hoursMaximum dose: 5 doses per 24 hoursAcetaminophen 650 mg/ dextromethorphan 20 mg/ phenylephrine 10 mg per packet:12 years and older: One packet in water every 4 hoursMaximum dose: 6 doses per 24 hoursAcetaminophen 650 mg/ dextromethorphan 20 mg/ phenylephrine 10 mg per 30 mL liquid: 12 years and older: 30 mL every 6 hoursMaximum dose: 5 doses per 24 hoursAcetaminophen 650 mg/ dextromethorphan 30 mg/ phenylephrine 12.5 mg per 30 mL liquid:12 years and older: 30 mL every 6 hours6 to under 12 years: 15 mL every 4 hoursMaximum dose: 4 doses per 24 hours

Warnings

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, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine

Other drugs may interact with acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

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