Chlorpheniramine and codeine

Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine. Codeine is a narcotic cough suppressant.

Chlorpheniramine and codeine is a combination medicine used to treat cough, runny nose, and sneezing caused by allergies or the common cold.

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

Follow the instructions 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 improve.

Never share this medicine with anyone else, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medicine in a secure place where others cannot access it. Selling or giving away chlorpheniramine and codeine is illegal.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before measuring a dose. Measure the liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided or a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

If you need surgery or medical tests, inform the surgeon or doctor in advance if you have taken this medicine in the past few days.

Contact your doctor if your cough does not improve after 5 days, or if you experience a fever, rash, or headaches.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Monitor your medicine. Be aware if anyone is using it improperly or without a prescription.

Do not keep leftover opioid medication. Just one dose can lead to death in someone using this medicine accidentally or improperly. Ask your pharmacist about a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, mix the leftover medicine with cat litter or coffee grounds in a sealed plastic bag and throw the bag in the trash.

MISUSE OF THIS MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

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.

Fatal side effects can occur if you use this medicine with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.

You should not use chlorpheniramine and codeine if you are allergic to chlorpheniramine or codeine. You may not be able to use this medicine if you have:

• severe asthma or 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.

Codeine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 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.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have ever had:

• breathing problems, sleep apnea;
• cough with mucus, or cough caused by smoking, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis;
• a blockage in your stomach or intestines;
• glaucoma;
• enlarged prostate, urination problems;
• problems with your thyroid, pancreas, or adrenal glands;
• a seizure, head injury, or brain tumor;
• liver or kidney disease;
• low blood pressure; or
• alcoholism or drug addiction.

If you use this medicine while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on codeine. 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.

Do not breastfeed. Codeine can pass into breast milk and cause drowsiness, breathing problems, or death in a nursing baby.

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

Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, which may lead to death. Someone caring for you should seek emergency medical help if you experience slow breathing with long pauses, blue lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

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

• noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing, breathing that stops during sleep;
• confusion, severe drowsiness;
• feeling light-headed, like you might faint;
• severe constipation; or
• problems with your adrenal glands—nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling very dizzy, weak, or tired.

Seek medical help immediately if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults and those who are weak.

Common side effects of chlorpheniramine and codeine may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, feeling light-headed;
• feeling short of breath;
• confusion, mood changes, lack of energy;
• feeling nervous, irritable, agitated, or restless;
• sleep problems;
• headache, vision problems;
• tremors, coordination issues;
• dry mouth;
• sweating; or
• nausea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, bloating.

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

Usual Adult Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:

Immediate-release (suspension, liquid, tablets): 1 dose orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed -Chlorpheniramine: Single dose: up to 4 mg; Maximum dose: 24 mg/24 hours-Codeine: Single dose: up to 20 mg; Maximum dose: 120 mg/24 hoursMaximum doses should not exceed maximum dose of either of the single ingredient dosesExtended-release suspension: chlorpheniramine polistirex 2.8 mg/codeine polistirex 14.7 mg per 5 mL (equivalent to chlorpheniramine maleate 4 mg/codeine phosphate 20 mg per 5 mL) 10 mL orally every 12 hours Maximum dose: 20 mL/24 hoursComments: -Liquid preparations should be measured with an accurate milliliter measuring device.-Shake oral suspensions well before measuring dose. Uses: For the temporary relief of cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritations as may occur with the common cold or inhaled irritants; temporarily decreases runny nose and reduces sneezing, itching of the nose or throat, and itchy, watery eyes due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies.

Usual Adult Dose for Cough and Nasal Congestion:

Immediate-release (suspension, liquid, tablets): 1 dose orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed -Chlorpheniramine: Single dose: up to 4 mg; Maximum dose: 24 mg/24 hours-Codeine: Single dose: up to 20 mg; Maximum dose: 120 mg/24 hoursMaximum doses should not exceed maximum dose of either of the single ingredient dosesExtended-release suspension: chlorpheniramine polistirex 2.8 mg/codeine polistirex 14.7 mg per 5 mL (equivalent to chlorpheniramine maleate 4 mg/codeine phosphate 20 mg per 5 mL) 10 mL orally every 12 hours Maximum dose: 20 mL/24 hoursComments: -Liquid preparations should be measured with an accurate milliliter measuring device.-Shake oral suspensions well before measuring dose. Uses: For the temporary relief of cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritations as may occur with the common cold or inhaled irritants; temporarily decreases runny nose and reduces sneezing, itching of the nose or throat, and itchy, watery eyes due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies.

Since chlorpheniramine and codeine is taken as needed, you might not have a regular dosing schedule. If you miss a dose and it’s nearly time for your next one, just skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Do not take extended-release chlorpheniramine and codeine more than 2 times in 24 hours.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A codeine overdose can be deadly, especially in children or anyone using the medicine without a prescription. Signs of an overdose may include slow breathing and heart rate, extreme drowsiness, muscle weakness, cold and clammy skin, small pupils, and fainting.

Do not drink alcohol. Serious side effects or death could happen.

Avoid driving or doing anything dangerous until you know how chlorpheniramine and codeine will affect you. Be careful when standing up quickly from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Dizziness or drowsiness can lead to falls, accidents, or serious injuries.

You may have breathing problems or withdrawal symptoms if you start or stop taking certain other medicines. Tell your doctor if you are also using an antibiotic, antifungal medication, heart or blood pressure medication, seizure medication, or medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C.

Opioid medication can interact with many other drugs and cause dangerous side effects or death. Be sure your doctor knows if you are also using:

• cold or allergy medicines, bronchodilator asthma/COPD medication, or a diuretic ("water pill");
• medicines for motion sickness, irritable bowel syndrome, or overactive bladder;
• other narcotic medications, such as opioid pain medicine or prescription cough medicine;
• a sedative like Valium—diazepam, alprazolam, lorazepam, Xanax, Klonopin, Versed, and others;
• drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing, such as a sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, or medicine to treat mood disorders or mental illness; or
• drugs that affect serotonin levels in your body, such as a stimulant or medicine for depression, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or nausea and vomiting.

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.