SymPak II

Brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, and methscopolamine are antihistamines that help lessen the effects of histamine in the body. Histamine can cause symptoms like sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and a runny nose.

Phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine are decongestants that narrow blood vessels in the nasal passages. When blood vessels are widened, it can lead to nasal congestion (a stuffy nose).

SymPak II is a combination medicine that treats a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and sinus congestion caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

This combination medicine may also be used for other reasons 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 or 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.

You should not use antihistamine medication to make a child sleepy.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.

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

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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.

You should not use antihistamine medication to make a child sleepy.

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

You should not use this medicine if you have severe constipation, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, or if you cannot urinate.

To ensure this medicine is safe for you, inform your doctor if you have:

• asthma or COPD;
• high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease;
• glaucoma;
• an overactive thyroid;
• diabetes;
• liver or kidney disease;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• cough with mucus, or cough caused by smoking, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis;
• enlarged prostate or urination problems;
• low blood pressure;
• pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumor); or
• if you take potassium (Cytra, Epiklor, K-Lyte, K-Phos, Kaon, Klor-Con, Polycitra, Urocit-K).

It is not known if this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant.

This medicine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Antihistamines and decongestants may also reduce breast milk production. Inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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

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

• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• shortness of breath;
• mood changes;
• tremor, seizure (convulsions);
• double vision;
• ongoing diarrhea or vomiting;
• little or no urination;
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or
• high blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, nosebleed, anxiety.

Side effects like dry mouth, constipation, and confusion may happen more often in older adults.

Common side effects of SymPak II may include:

• headache, dizziness, drowsiness;
• dry mouth, nose, or throat;
• tingly feeling;
• nausea, bloating, constipation;
• blurred vision;
• feeling nervous or restless;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• decreased sweating.

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 cold medicine is taken as needed, you might not have a set 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 attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

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

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, cough, or sleep medicine. Many combination medicines contain antihistamines or decongestants. Taking certain products together can lead to getting too much of a certain drug. Check the label to see if a medicine has an antihistamine or decongestant.

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can lead to side effects.

Avoid getting overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. This medication can reduce sweating, and you might be at a higher risk for heat stroke.

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 SymPak II 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.