Despec DM

Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It changes the signals in the brain that cause the cough reflex.

Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough it out through your mouth.

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that reduces blood vessels in the nasal passages. Enlarged blood vessels can lead to nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

Despec DM is a combination medicine used to treat cough, stuffy nose, sinus congestion, and chest congestion caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

Despec DM will not treat a cough caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

Despec DM may also be used for purposes not listed 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. Cough and cold medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old. 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.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole.

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.

Drink extra fluids to help loosen the congestion and lubricate your throat while you are taking this medication.

If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon or doctor ahead of time if you have taken Despec DM within the past few days.

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.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow liquid medicine to freeze.

Do not use Despec DM if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the last 14 days. This includes medications like isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, or pseudoephedrine.

Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

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

• high blood pressure or coronary artery disease;
• diabetes;
• glaucoma;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• enlarged prostate or urination problems;
• pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumor); or
• cough with mucus, or cough caused by emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

It is not known whether Despec DM will harm an unborn baby. Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant.

This medicine may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Decongestants may also slow breast milk production. Ask a doctor before using this medicine 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 signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

This medication may cause serious side effects. Stop using this medication and call your doctor right away if you have:

• fast or uneven heart rate;
• severe dizziness or anxiety, feeling like you might faint;
• severe headache;
• changes in mood;
• fever; or
• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, ringing in your ears, anxiety, chest pain, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Common side effects of Despec DM may include:

• diarrhea;
• dizziness, drowsiness;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• feeling nervous, restless, or irritable.

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.

Since this medicine is taken as needed, you might not have a regular dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose 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.

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

Drinking alcohol can increase some side effects of this medicine.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, cough, or allergy medicine. Despec DM is included in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can lead to taking too much of a certain drug. Check the label to see if a medicine has a decongestant, expectorant, or cough suppressant.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you are also using any other drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used together. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can worsen these effects. Ask your doctor before taking this medicine with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.