Dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, and phenylephrine

Generic name: Dextromethorphan, Diphenhydramine, And Phenylephrine
Dosage form: oral liquid (varying strength)
Drug class: Upper respiratory combinations

Usage of Dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, and phenylephrine

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

Dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, and phenylephrine is a combination medicine used to treat cough, stuffy nose, and sneezing caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

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

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

Dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, and phenylephrine 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 drowsiness;

painful or difficult urination;

fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;

trouble breathing;

confusion, anxiety, irritability, tremors;

a seizure; or

problems with balance or speech.

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

dizziness, drowsiness, headache;

blurred vision, dry eyes;

dry mouth, nose, or throat;

upset stomach, nausea, vomiting;

diarrhea, constipation; or

tiredness, trouble sleeping.

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 Dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, and phenylephrine

Do not use this medicine 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 or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have ever had:

a cough with mucus;

an enlarged prostate or urination problems;

high blood pressure, heart disease;

diabetes;

a thyroid disorder;

glaucoma; or

a stomach ulcer.

This medicine may contain phenylalanine. Check the medication label if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

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

Relate drugs

How to use Dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, and phenylephrine

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.

Do not take more of this medicine than is recommended. Taking too much diphenhydramine can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or death.

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

Ask a doctor before giving the medicine to a child younger than 4 years old.

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

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.

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.

Use this medicine exactly as directed. Taking too much diphenhydramine can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or death.

Do not use this medicine to make a child sleepy. Ask a doctor before giving the medicine to a child younger than 4 years old.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine that may contain diphenhydramine. Taking too much of this medicine can lead to a fatal overdose.

What other drugs will affect Dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, and phenylephrine

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, and phenylephrine with any other medicines, especially drugs that can cause drowsiness (such as opioid medication, sleep medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures). Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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