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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 pseudoephedrine?

Do not take a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to carbetapentane or pseudoephedrine, or if you have severe or untreated high blood pressure or coronary artery disease.

To make sure you can safely take carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• heart disease or high blood pressure;
• a seizure disorder;
• glaucoma;
• an enlarged prostate or problems with urination;
• diabetes; or
• a thyroid disorder.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

Carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine can pass into breast milk and may 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 pseudoephedrine?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 2 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.

Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-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.

The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.

Do not take carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine for longer than 7 days in a row. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time if you have taken a cough or cold medicine within the past few days.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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