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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and phenylephrine (Poly-Tussin DHC)?

Do not use this medication if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take a cough and cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

You should also not take codeine if you are having an asthma attack or if you have a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus.

You should not use brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, or phenylephrine, if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it, or if you have:

• severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
• severe coronary artery disease;
• narrow-angle glaucoma;
• peptic ulcer;
• if you are unable to urinate;
• if you are pregnant;
• if you are having an asthma attack.

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and phenylephrine. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have:

• heart disease or high blood pressure;
• ischemic heart disease (reduced circulation of blood to the heart);
• asthma, COPD, or other breathing disorder;
• glaucoma;
• diabetes;
• kidney or liver disease;
• a thyroid disorder;
• enlarged prostate, urination problems;
• gallbladder disease or pancreatitis;
• Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorders;
• a history of head injury or brain tumor;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• mental illness; or
• a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Dihydrocodeine may cause breathing problems or addiction/withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while you are taking this medication.

This medication can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. The use of dihydrocodeine by some nursing mothers may lead to life-threatening side effects in the baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medication.

Dihydrocodeine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. This medication should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

How should I take brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and phenylephrine (Poly-Tussin DHC)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Cold medicine is usually taken for only a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Take the medicine with a full glass of water.

Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

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 brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and phenylephrine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of how much of this medicine has been used from the bottle. Dihydrocodeine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.

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