1. OTC and Prescription Drug Abuse Slideshow
2. Sex-Drive Killers: Causes of Low Libido
3. Slideshow: Common Allergy Triggers

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking chlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan, and pseudoephedrine?

Do not use 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.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medicine if you have:

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

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether chlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan, and pseudoephedrine will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without medical advice if you are pregnant.

Chlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan, and pseudoephedrine may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use cold or cough medicine without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Artificially sweetened liquid cough or cold medicine may contain phenylalanine. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), check the medication label to see if the product contains phenylalanine.

How should I take chlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan, and pseudoephedrine?

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

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 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 should be chewed before you swallow it.

Shake the oral suspension well just before you measure a dose.

Do not take this medicine 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.

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

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.

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