Medications and Drugs

Brand Names: Endal CD

Generic Name: codeine, diphenhydramine, and phenylephrine (Pronunciation: KOE deen, DYE fen HYE dra meen, and FEN il EFF rin)

What is codeine, diphenhydramine, and phenylephrine (Endal CD)?

Codeine is in a group of drugs called narcotics. It is a cough suppressant that affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.

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

Phenylephrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

The combination of codeine, diphenhydramine, and phenylephrine is used to treat cough, runny or stuffy nose, and sneezing caused by allergies, the flu, or the common cold.

Codeine will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

Codeine, diphenhydramine, and phenylephrine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of codeine, diphenhydramine, and phenylephrine (Endal CD)?

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 taking this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

confusion, hallucinations, tremors;
ringing in your ears;
extreme weakness or dizziness;
fast, slow, or uneven heart rate;
seizure (convulsions);
weak or shallow breathing;
easy bruising or bleeding; or
urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious side effects include:

dizziness, drowsiness, headache;
nausea, upset stomach, constipation;
blurred vision; or
dry mouth, nose, or throat.

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 codeine, diphenhydramine, and phenylephrine (Endal CD)?

Do not take this medication 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.

Do not use any cough, cold, allergy, or sleepy medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Codeine, diphenhydramine and phenylephrine are contained in many combination medicines, some available over the counter. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of a certain drug. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains codeine, diphenhydramine, or phenylephrine.

Codeine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. This medication should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

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.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking codeine, diphenhydramine, and phenylephrine (Endal CD)?»

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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.