Despec Drops

Dextromethorphan is a medicine that helps stop coughing. It works by affecting the brain signals that cause the cough reflex.

Guaifenesin is a medicine that helps clear mucus from your chest and throat, making it easier to cough it out.

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that narrows blood vessels in the nasal passages. When blood vessels are widened, it can lead to nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

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

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

Despec Drops may also be used for other purposes 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. 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 Drops 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 Drops if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the last 14 days, including 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 Drops 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 Drops 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 immediately if you have:

• fast or uneven heart rate;
• severe dizziness or anxiety, feeling like you might faint;
• severe headache;
• mood changes;
• 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 Drops 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 the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Since this medicine is taken as needed, you might not have a set 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.

Despec Drops may cause blurred vision or affect your thinking and reactions. Be cautious if you drive or do anything that requires alertness and clear vision.

Drinking alcohol can worsen some side effects of this medicine.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, cough, or allergy medicine. Despec Drops are included in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can result in getting too much of a certain drug. Check the label to see if a medicine contains a decongestant, expectorant, or cough suppressant.

Ask 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 medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when taken together. Not all possible interactions are included in this medication guide.

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