acetaminophen-chlorpheniramine

Generic Name: acetaminophen-chlorpheniramine
Other Brand Names: Coricidin
Overview Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose

What is acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine?

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer.

Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine. It blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in the body. Chlorpheniramine prevents sneezing; itchy, watery eyes and nose; and other symptoms of allergies and hay fever.

Acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine is used to treat aches and pains, headache, fever, and congestion associated with the flu, colds, allergies, and hay fever.

Acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine?

Do not take acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine without first talking to your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have had alcoholic liver disease. You may not be able to take acetaminophen.

Do not take acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A serious drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

  • kidney disease;

  • liver disease;

  • diabetes;

  • glaucoma;

  • difficulty urinating because of an enlarged prostate, a constricted bladder neck, or any other reason;

  • a stomach ulcer;

  • high blood pressure or any type of heart disease; or

  • an overactive thyroid.

You may not be able to take acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

It is not known whether acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

This medication passes into breast milk and can harm a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine.

Read the package label for directions or consult your doctor or pharmacist before treating a child with this medication. Children are more susceptible than adults to the effects of medicines and may have unusual reactions.

How should I take acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine?

Take acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine exactly as directed by your doctor or follow the package label. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Never take more of this medication than is directed. The maximum amount of acetaminophen for adults is 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. Taking more acetaminophen could cause damage to your liver. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, talk to your doctor before taking acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine and never take more than 2 grams (2000 mg) per day.

Consult your doctor if your symptoms do not improve within 10 days (or 5 days for children under 12 years of age) or if they get worse. Do not use this product to treat a fever for more than 3 days.

Store acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose of acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

Where can I get more information about acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine?
Your pharmacist has information about acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine and seek emergency medical attention:

  • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

  • liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, or severe fatigue);

  • blood problems (easy or unusual bleeding or bruising); or

  • low blood sugar (fatigue, increased hunger or thirst, dizziness, or fainting).

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur including:

  • dryness of the eyes, nose, and mouth;

  • drowsiness or dizziness;

  • blurred vision;

  • difficulty urinating; or

  • excitation in children.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine. Alcohol may also cause damage to the liver when taken with acetaminophen.

What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine. Alcohol may also cause damage to your liver when taken with acetaminophen.

Acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, other antihistamines, pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur if acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine is taken with any of these medications.

What other drugs will affect acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine?

Do not take acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A very serious drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

Urine glucose tests for diabetics may produce false results while you are taking acetaminophen. Talk to your doctor if you have diabetes and you notice changes in your glucose levels during therapy with acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine.

Do not take other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, diet, pain, or sleep medications while taking acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine without first talking to your pharmacist or doctor. Other medications may also contain acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, or other similar drugs, and you may accidentally take too much of these medicines.

Acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, other antihistamines, pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur if acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine is taken with any of these medications.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

What happens if I have an overdose of acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of an acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine overdose may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, sweating, seizure, confusion, sedation, insomnia, tremor, hallucinations, and an irregular heartbeat.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008