1. The Common Cold Slideshow Pictures
2. Slideshow: Treating Your Child's Cold or Fever
3. Take the Cold & Flu Quiz

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

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.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to carbetapentane or chlorpheniramine, or to other antihistamines.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• heart disease, high blood pressure;
• emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or other breathing problems;
• glaucoma;
• kidney disease;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• a thyroid disorder;
• an enlarged prostate;
• problems with urination; or
• if you are allergic to yellow food dye.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

This medication may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take carbetapentane and chlorpheniramine?

Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended. Cough and cold medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Drink plenty of fluids to help loosen mucus congestion while you are taking this medication.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking an antihistamine.

Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse after using this medication.

Store the medicine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Need help identifying pills and medications?
Use the pill finder tool on RxList.