Chlorpheniramine

Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine that helps lessen the effects of histamine, a natural chemical in the body. Histamine can cause symptoms like sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and a runny nose.

Chlorpheniramine is used to treat a runny nose, sneezing, itching, and watery eyes due to allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

Chlorpheniramine may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. chlorpheniramine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Do not take for longer than 7 days in a row. Talk with 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.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole. Breaking the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.

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. Do not allow the liquid form of this medicine to freeze.

Always check with a doctor before giving any cough or cold medicine to a child. Misusing cough and cold medicines in very young children can lead to death.

You should not use chlorpheniramine if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, an enlarged prostate, if you are unable to urinate, or if you are having an asthma attack.

You should not use chlorpheniramine if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• narrow-angle glaucoma;
• a blockage in your stomach or intestines;
• an enlarged prostate;
• if you are unable to urinate; or
• if you are having an asthma attack.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take chlorpheniramine if you have:

• a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines), a colostomy or ileostomy;
• liver or kidney disease;
• asthma or COPD, cough with mucus, or cough caused by smoking, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis;
• high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, or recent heart attack;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• urination problems;
• pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumor); or
• overactive thyroid.

FDA pregnancy category B. Chlorpheniramine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without your doctor's advice if you are pregnant.

Chlorpheniramine may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Antihistamines may also slow breast milk production. Do not use this medicine without your doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Artificially sweetened cold medicine may contain phenylalanine. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), check the medication label to see if the product contains phenylalanine.

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

Chlorpheniramine may cause serious side effects. Stop using chlorpheniramine and call your doctor right away if you have:

• fast or uneven heart rate;
• changes in mood;
• tremors, seizures (convulsions);
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
• feeling short of breath; or
• little or no urinating.

Common side effects of chlorpheniramine may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness;
• dry mouth, nose, or throat;
• constipation;
• blurred vision; or
• feeling nervous or restless.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may happen. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Since this medicine is taken as needed, you may not have a regular dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include severe versions of some side effects listed in this medication guide.

chlorpheniramine may cause blurred vision or affect your thinking or reactions. Be cautious if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and see clearly.

Drinking alcohol can enhance certain side effects of chlorpheniramine.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, cough, allergy, or sleep medicine. Antihistamines are included in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can lead to getting too much of a specific drug. Check the label to see if a medicine contains an antihistamine.

Avoid overheating or dehydration during exercise and in hot weather. Chlorpheniramine can reduce sweating, making you more susceptible to heat stroke.

Taking chlorpheniramine with other medications that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can make these effects worse. Talk to your doctor before using chlorpheniramine with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medication for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Check with a doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you are also taking any other drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some medications can cause unwanted or harmful effects when taken together. Not all possible interactions are included in this medication guide.