Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: J-Cof DHC

Generic Name: brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine (Pronunciation: BROM fen IR a meen, dye HYE droe KOE deen, SOO doe ee FED rin)

• What is brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine (J-Cof DHC)?
• What are the possible side effects of brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine (J-Cof DHC)?
• What is the most important information I should know about brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine (J-Cof DHC)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine (J-Cof DHC)?
• How should I take brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine (J-Cof DHC)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (J-Cof DHC)?
• What happens if I overdose (J-Cof DHC)?
• What should I avoid while taking brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine (J-Cof DHC)?
• What other drugs will affect brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine (J-Cof DHC)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine (J-Cof DHC)?

Brompheniramine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

Dihydrocodeine is in a group of drugs called narcotics and is similar to codeine. Dihydrocodeine is a cough suppressant that affects signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

The combination of brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine is used to treat cough, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, runny nose, stuffy nose, and sinus congestion caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

Brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine (J-Cof DHC)?

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

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
• shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;
• severe dizziness, fainting, anxiety, restless feeling, nervousness, or tremor;
• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• urinating less than usual or not at all; or
• increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure).

Less serious side effects may include:

• blurred vision;
• dry mouth;
• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, mild loss of appetite;
• mild dizziness, drowsiness;
• problems with memory or concentration;
• ringing in your ears;
• warmth, tingling, or redness under your skin;
• restless or excitability (especially in children);
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• skin rash or itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine (J-Cof DHC)?

Do not use a cough or cold medicine 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 cough or cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

Dihydrocodeine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Dihydrocodeine 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. 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.

Do not use any other over-the-counter cough, cold, or allergy medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of one or more types of medicine. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains an antihistamine, decongestant, or cough suppressant.

This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

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