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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking 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.

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.

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

• curvature of the spine;
• kidney or liver disease;
• heart disease or high blood pressure;
• enlarged prostate or urination problems;
• diabetes;
• glaucoma;
• a thyroid disorder;
• COPD other breathing disorder;
• a history of head injury or brain tumor;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• low blood pressure;
• gallbladder disease;
• Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorders;
• mental illness; or
• a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

Dihydrocodeine may be habit forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Never share this medication with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication will harm an unborn baby. Dihydrocodeine may cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes the medication during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine.

This medicine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine.

How should I take chlorpheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and pseudoephedrine (Dihydro-CP, Hydro-Tussin DHC)?

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. Cough or cold medicine is usually taken for only 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 the liquid form of this medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, 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.

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.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

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