Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: solotuss

Generic Name: carbetapentane (Pronunciation: kar bay ta PEN tane)

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

What is carbetapentane (solotuss)?

Carbetapentane is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.

Carbetapentane is used to treat cough that is caused by the common cold, flu, bronchitis, or sinusitis.

Carbetapentane will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

Carbetapentane may also be used for other purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of carbetapentane (solotuss)?

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 heartbeat;
• severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness;
• confusion, hallucinations; or
• slow, shallow breathing.

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
• drowsiness, dizziness;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• mild 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 carbetapentane (solotuss)?

Do not take carbetapentane 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 carbetapentane before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

Before taking carbetapentane, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, circulation problems, glaucoma, diabetes, a thyroid disorder, enlarged prostate, or problems with urination.

Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by carbetapentane.

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

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