Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Viravan-PDM

Generic Name: dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine (Pronunciation: DEK troe me THOR fan, SOO doe ee FED rin, pir IL a meed)

• What is dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine (Viravan-PDM)?
• What are the possible side effects of dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine (Viravan-PDM)?
• What is the most important information I should know about dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine (Viravan-PDM)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine (Viravan-PDM)?
• How should I take dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine (Viravan-PDM)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Viravan-PDM)?
• What happens if I overdose (Viravan-PDM)?
• What should I avoid while taking dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine (Viravan-PDM)?
• What other drugs will affect dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine (Viravan-PDM)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine (Viravan-PDM)?

Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It 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).

Pyrilamine 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.

The combination of dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine is used to treat runny or stuffy nose, cough, and other symptoms caused by allergies or the common cold.

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

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

What are the possible side effects of dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine (Viravan-PDM)?

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 dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• feeling like you might pass out;
• fast or pounding heartbeats;
• painful or difficult urination;
• wheezing, tight feeling in your chest, trouble breathing;
• easy bruising or bleeding;
• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness; or
• 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:

• dizziness, drowsiness, nervousness;
• feeling restless or excited (especially in children);
• dry mouth, nose, or throat;
• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, upset stomach;
• diarrhea, constipation;
• itching or skin rash;
• increased sensitivity of your skin to sunlight;
• loss of balance or coordination;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• headache.

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 dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine (Viravan-PDM)?

Do not use a cough and 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 use this medication if you are allergic to dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, or pyrilamine, or if you have high blood pressure, circulation problems, if you are having an asthma attack, or if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Before you take dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine, tell your doctor if you have allergies, a stomach ulcer, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, heart disease, diabetes, glaucoma, a thyroid disorder, or urination problems.

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.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and pyrilamine.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, cough, or allergy 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.

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