Chlorpheniramine/Methscopolamine Nitrate/Phenylephrine Hydrochloride

Type of medicine: cold medicine; antihistamine; decongestant; anticholinergic

Generic and brand names: chlorpheniramine, methscopolamine nitrate, and phenylephrine hydrochloride; D.A. Chewable; Duradryl; WE Allergy; Ed A-Hist LA; Dallergy; D.A. II; Hista-Vent DA; Extendryl SR; Sinodec; Ex-Histine; Dura-Vent/DA; Extendryl Chews; Extendryl JR; Liqui-Allergy; Chlor-Mes D; Ru-Tuss; Prehist D; Dallergy SR; Phenylhistine; Extendryl Syrup; Drysec; Ah-Chew; Drize; Vanex Forte-D; Duradryl JR; Omnihist L.A.; Chlorpheniramine/Methscopolamine/PE; Chlorpheniramine-phenylephrine; Ex-Histine; Sinodec

This medicine combines a cough suppressant, an antihistamine, and a decongestant. It is taken by mouth to relieve the symptoms of coughs, colds, and allergies.

Before taking this medicine, tell your health care provider if you have ever had:

• an allergy to any medicine
• asthma
• an enlarged prostate gland
• a peptic (stomach) ulcer
• diabetes
• glaucoma
• heart disease or heart rhythm problems
• high blood pressure
• kidney or liver disease
• obstructive intestinal disease
• thyroid disease.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes or follow the directions on the package. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than specified because of the increased risk of side effects.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water after a meal or snack. This will lessen the chance that it may upset your stomach.

This medicine may come in different forms. If you have extended-release tablets, do not break, crush, or chew them. Swallow them whole. Ask your pharmacist if you have the extended-release tablets.

Because the decongestant in this medicine can cause you to feel excited or active, take the last dose of the day before 6 PM to avoid problems sleeping.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.

The antihistamine in this medicine may make you drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

The antihistamine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down the central nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your health care provider approves.

The decongestant in this medicine may increase the effects of some diet medicines. Do not take any diet medicines unless your health care provider approves.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which may lead to painful sunburns. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen lotion when you need to be outdoors. Do not use a sunlamp. After you stop this medicine, you may continue to be sensitive to the sun for a while. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your health care provider right away.

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your health care provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Fast or irregular heartbeat, chest tightness or pain, extreme tiredness, decreased urination, mood changes, sore throat, fever.

Other: Drowsiness, dizziness, loss of appetite, dry mouth, nervousness, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, trouble sleeping, headache, blurred vision, weakness, clumsiness.

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), acebutolol (Sectral), betaxolol (Kerlone), carteolol (Cartrol), bisoprolol (Zebeta), pindolol (Visken), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), timolol (Blocadren), sotalol (Betapace), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), and carvedilol (Coreg)
• dihydroergotamine (DHE)
• linezolid (Zyvox)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) (Do not take an MAO inhibitor and this medicine within 14 days of each other.)
• narcotic analgesics (painkillers) such as codeine, hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), oxycodone (Percocet, Tylox, OxyContin), morphine (MS Contin), propoxyphene (Darvocet N-100), pentazocine (Talwin), meperidine (Demerol), fentanyl (Duragesic patches), methadone (Dolophine), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
• procainamide (Procanbid, Rhythmin)
• quinidine (Quinora, Quinidex, Quinaglute)
• sedatives such as zolpidem (Ambien), zaleplon (Sonata), temazepam (Restoril), flurazepam (Dalmane), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), pentobarbital (Nembutal), secobarbital (Seconal), alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and oxazepam (Serax)
• seizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), and valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene)
• sibutramine (Meridia)
• stimulants (for example, diet pills)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), trazodone (Desyrel), and doxepin (Sinequan).

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.