Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Dihydro-CP, Hydro-Tussin DHC

Generic Name: chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine (Pronunciation: klor fen EER a meen, dye hye droe KOE deen, soo doe e FED rin)

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

What is chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine (Dihydro-CP, Hydro-Tussin DHC)?

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

Dihydrocodeine is a narcotic cough suppressant similar to codeine. Dihydrocodeine affects the 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 chlorpheniramine, 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.

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

What are the possible side effects of chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine (Dihydro-CP, Hydro-Tussin 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 medicine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
• weak or 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
• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, 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, redness, or tingling under your skin;
• feeling restless or excited (especially in children);
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• skin rash or itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine (Dihydro-CP, Hydro-Tussin DHC)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, pseudoephedrine, or codeine, or if you have severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe coronary artery disease, narrow-angle glaucoma, a stomach ulcer, a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus, bladder obstruction or other urination problems, overactive thyroid, or asthma, pneumonia, or other breathing problems.

Before you take chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and other medicines you use.

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.

Do not take this medication with alcohol, other narcotic pain medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxers, or other medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing. Dangerous side effects may result.

Dihydrocodeine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, cough, allergy, or pain medicine. Antihistamines, decongestants, and cough suppressants are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of a certain drug. Check the label to see if a medicine contains an antihistamine, decongestant, or cough suppressant.

This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

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