What is the most important information I should know about chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone?
Hydrocodone can slow or stop your breathing, and may be habit-forming. MISUSE OF THIS MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription.
Chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone should not be given to a child younger than 6 years old.
You should not use antihistamine medication to make a child sleepy.
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 hydrocodone?
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.
Hydrocodone is a narcotic cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.
Chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone is a combination medicine used to treat runny nose, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and cough caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.
Chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to chlorpheniramine or hydrocodone.
This medicine is not for use in children younger than 6 years old.
To make sure chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- asthma or other breathing problems;
- a head injury or brain tumor;
- a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines);
- enlarged prostate, urination problems;
- diabetes;
- liver or kidney disease;
- Addison's disease (an adrenal gland disorder);
- a thyroid disorder; or
- alcoholism or drug addiction.
If you use hydrocodone 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.
It is not known whether chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
How should I take chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Hydrocodone can slow or stop your breathing. Never use chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed.
Hydrocodone may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE OF NARCOTIC MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Selling or giving away the medicine is against the law.
You should not use antihistamine medication to make a child sleepy.
Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Shake the oral suspension well just before you measure a dose. Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Do not mix the oral suspension with any other liquids or medicines.
Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release capsule. Swallow it whole.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache or skin rash.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow the liquid to freeze.
Keep track of your medicine. Hydrocodone 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?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A hydrocodone 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 hydrocodone?
Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.
This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls or other accidents.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, cough, or sleep medicine. Many combination medicines contain antihistamines or cough suppressants. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of a certain drug.
What are the possible side effects of chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone?
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 medicines, hydrocodone can slow your breathing. Death may occur if breathing becomes too weak.
Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:
- severe drowsiness;
- noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing;
- confusion; or
- a slow heart rate or weak pulse.
Side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, and confusion may be more likely in older adults.
Common side effects may include:
- trouble breathing;
- drowsiness;
- confusion;
- nausea, vomiting; or
- little or no urination.
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 hydrocodone?
Taking chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before taking a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, prescription cough medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
- medicine for a stomach or intestinal disorder;
-
an MAO inhibitor --isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others; or
-
a sedative --Valium, diazepam, alprazolam, lorazepam, Ativan, Klonopin, Restoril, Tranxene, Versed, Xanax, and others.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone.
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.
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