dexbrompheniramine, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine
Pronunciation: dex brom feh NEER a meen, dex tro meh THOR fan, and feh nill EFF rin
Brand: Alahist CF, G-P-Tuss DXP, Panatuss DXP, Supress A Pediatric
What is the most important information I should know about dexbrompheniramine, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine?
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.
Do not use cough or cold medicine to make a child sleepy.
What is dexbrompheniramine, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine?
Dexbrompheniramine 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.
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).
Dexbrompheniramine, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine is a combination medicine used to treat runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, cough, and sinus congestion caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.
This medicine will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.
Dexbrompheniramine, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dexbrompheniramine, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to dexbrompheniramine, dextromethorphan, or phenylephrine.
Do not use cough or cold medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have:
- asthma or COPD;
- a cough with mucus, or cough caused by chronic bronchitis;
- a blockage in your stomach or intestines;
- glaucoma;
- liver or kidney disease;
- diabetes;
- heart disease, high blood pressure;
- a thyroid disorder; or
- urination problems.
Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Liquid medicine may contain phenylalanine. Check the medication label if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
How should I take dexbrompheniramine, dextromethorphan, 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.
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).
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 if you have taken a cough or cold medicine within the past few days.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze.
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.
What should I avoid while taking dexbrompheniramine, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine?
Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using other cough or cold medicines that may contain similar ingredients.
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
What are the possible side effects of dexbrompheniramine, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeats;
- shortness of breath;
- severe dizziness or nervousness;
- little or no urination;
- trouble sleeping; or
- increased blood pressure --severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, anxiety, nosebleed.
Common side effects may include:
- flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
- dry mouth, nose, or throat;
- feeling nervous, restless, or irritable;
- dizziness, drowsiness;
- feeling restless or excited (especially in children);
- loss of appetite;
- blurred vision; 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.
What other drugs will affect dexbrompheniramine, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine?
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.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about dexbrompheniramine, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine.
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 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.01. Revision date: 7/17/2018.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.