Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Cough

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

Usage of Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Cough

Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine. Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. Phenylephrine is a decongestant.

Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Cough is a combination medicine used to treat cough, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itching, and watery eyes caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Cough will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Cough may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Cough side effects

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

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

severe anxiety, tremor, seizure (convulsions);

fast or pounding heartbeats;

painful or difficult urination;

pale skin, weakness; or

severe headache, pounding in your neck or ears.

Common side effects of Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Cough may include:

dizziness, drowsiness;

blurred vision;

dry mouth, nose, or throat;

increased or decreased urination;

nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea;

sleep problems (insomnia); or

nervousness.

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 Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Cough

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have:

asthma or COPD, cough with mucus;

a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines);

high blood pressure, heart disease;

liver or kidney disease;

glaucoma;

enlarged prostate or urination problems;

overactive thyroid; or

pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumor).

Do not use Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Cough if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Relate drugs

How to use Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Cough

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Cold or cough medicine is only for short-term use until your symptoms clear up.

Always follow directions on the medicine label about giving cough or cold medicine to a child. Do not use the medicine only to make a child sleepy. Death can occur from the misuse of cough or cold medicines in very young children.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Dissolve the effervescent tablets in at least 4 ounces of water. Stir and drink this mixture right away. Add a little more water to the glass, swirl gently and drink right away.

Do not take for longer than 7 days in a row. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days, or if you have a fever, rash, or headaches.

If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon or doctor ahead of time if you have taken this medicine within the past few days.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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.

What other drugs will affect Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Cough

Avoid using this medicine with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing (such as opioid medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures). Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other medication, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.