What is the most important information I should know about chlorpheniramine and codeine?
MISUSE OF THIS MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.
This medicine can slow your breathing. Death may occur if breathing becomes too weak.
Do not give this medicine to anyone younger than 12 years old, or anyone under 18 who recently had surgery to remove the tonsils or adenoids.
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.
Fatal side effects can occur if you use this medicine with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.
What is chlorpheniramine and codeine?
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.
Codeine is a narcotic cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.
Chlorpheniramine and codeine is a combination medicine used to treat cough, runny nose, sneezing, itching, and watery eyes caused by allergies or the common cold. This medicine is for use in adults and children who are at least 12 years old.
Do not give this medicine to anyone younger than 18 years old who recently had surgery to remove the tonsils or adenoids.
Chlorpheniramine and codeine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking chlorpheniramine and codeine?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to chlorpheniramine or codeine, or if you have:
- severe breathing problems; or
- a stomach or bowel obstruction (including paralytic ileus).
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.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- lung disease, breathing problems;
- a seizure, head injury, or brain tumor;
- stomach pain, constipation;
- enlarged prostate, urination problems;
- problems with your pancreas or adrenal glands;
- liver or kidney disease;
- low blood pressure; or
- alcoholism or drug addiction.
If you use codeine while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Do not breast-feed. Any codeine in your breast milk can cause life-threatening side effects in your baby. Chlorpheniramine may slow breast milk production.
How should I take chlorpheniramine and codeine?
Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Never use this medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Cold or cough medicine is only for short-term use until your symptoms clear up.
Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medicine in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away chlorpheniramine and codeine is against the law.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose.
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 5 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. Keep track of your medicine. Codeine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since this medicine is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. Skip any missed dose if it's almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A codeine overdose can be fatal, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Overdose symptoms may include slow breathing and heart rate, severe drowsiness, muscle weakness, cold and clammy skin, pinpoint pupils, and fainting.
What should I avoid while taking chlorpheniramine and codeine?
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using other cough or cold medicines that may contain similar ingredients.
Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.
What are the possible side effects of chlorpheniramine and codeine?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Like other narcotic medications, codeine can slow your breathing. Death may occur if breathing becomes too weak.
A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.
Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:
- noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing;
- confusion, severe drowsiness;
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- severe constipation; or
-
adrenal gland problems --nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling very dizzy, weak, or tired.
Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults and those who are overweight, malnourished, or debilitated.
Common side effects may include:
- dizziness, drowsiness, feeling light-headed;
- confusion, lack of energy, coordination problems;
- headache;
- dry mouth;
- sweating; or
- nausea, vomiting, constipation.
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.
What other drugs will affect chlorpheniramine and codeine?
Using this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, other cough or cold medicine, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect chlorpheniramine and codeine, especially:
- carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampin;
- asthma medication;
- antibiotic or antifungal medicine;
- antiviral medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C;
- heart or blood pressure medication;
- medicine to treat bladder problems or stomach problems; or
- medicine to treat depression, mood disorders, or mental illness.
This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect chlorpheniramine and codeine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about chlorpheniramine and codeine.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum'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. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum 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.
Copyright 1996-2020 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 11.01. Revision date: 9/18/2018.
