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Triaminic Cold and Fever
Generic name: acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan, and pseudoephedrine
Brand names: Theraflu Nighttime Maximum Strength, Theraflu Severe Cold and Congestion, Tylenol Cold + Flu Multi-Action Day/Night Extra Strength, Vicks 44 Cold, Flu and Cough, Comtrex Cold and Flu Maximum Strength Tablet, Robitussin Flu, Triaminic Cold and Fever
What is Triaminic Cold and Fever?
Acetaminophen is a medicine that helps relieve pain and reduce fever. Chlorpheniramine is a type of allergy medicine called an antihistamine. Dextromethorphan helps to suppress coughing. Pseudoephedrine is a medicine that clears nasal congestion.
Triaminic Cold and Fever is a combination medicine used to treat headache, fever, body aches, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, or sinus pressure caused by the flu or common cold.
Triaminic Cold and Fever may also be used for other reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
How should I take Triaminic Cold and Fever?
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. An acetaminophen overdose can damage your liver or cause death. Cold or cough medicine is only for short-term use until your symptoms clear up.
Always follow directions on the medicine label about giving cough or cold medicine to a child. Do not use the medicine only to make a child sleepy. Death can occur from the misuse of cough or cold medicines in very young children.
You must chew the chewable tablet before you swallow it.
Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
Dissolve one packet of the powder in at least 4 ounces of water. Stir this mixture and drink all of it right away.
Call your doctor if you have a sore throat for more than 2 days, especially if you also have fever, headache, rash, nausea, or vomiting.
If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon or doctor if you have taken this medicine within the past few days.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow liquid medicine to freeze.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Warnings
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.
An acetaminophen overdose can damage your liver or cause death. Call your doctor at once if you have stomach pain (upper right side), loss of appetite, tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.
Do not use this medicine only to make a child sleepy.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Before taking this medicine
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.
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan, or pseudoephedrine.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have:
- liver disease, cirrhosis, alcoholism, or more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day;
- heart problems, high blood pressure;
- diabetes;
- glaucoma;
- an enlarged prostate or urination problems;
- a thyroid disorder; or
- cough with mucus, or cough caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.
Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
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Triaminic Cold and Fever side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal. This can happen even if you have taken acetaminophen before without any issues. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor immediately if you notice skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling. If you have this kind of reaction, you should never take any medicine that contains acetaminophen again.
This medicine may cause serious side effects. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have:
- any new or worsening symptoms;
- severe drowsiness;
- fever for longer than 3 days;
- redness, swelling, or rash;
- ongoing headache; or
- pain, cough, or sinus congestion lasting more than 7 days;
Some side effects may be more common in older adults.
Common side effects of Triaminic Cold and Fever may include:
- dizziness, drowsiness;
- dry mouth, nose, or throat;
- blurred vision;
- constipation;
- feeling restless or excited (especially in children); or
- sleep problems (insomnia).
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.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Triaminic Cold and Fever is used as needed, you might not have a set dosing schedule. If you miss a dose and it’s close to the time for your next dose, just skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Taking too much acetaminophen can harm your liver or cause death.
Early signs of acetaminophen overdose include not feeling hungry, nausea, vomiting, sweating, or feeling weak. Later symptoms can include pain in the upper stomach, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Do not drink alcohol. It may raise your risk of liver damage.
Do not drive or do anything dangerous until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions might be slower.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine that may have acetaminophen (sometimes shown as APAP). Taking too much acetaminophen can lead to a fatal overdose.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
What other drugs will affect Triaminic Cold and Fever?
Do not use this medicine with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing (such as opioid medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures). Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other medication, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this medication guide.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
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Content is provided for education and is not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer.