DEXCHLORPHENIRAMINE

(dex klor fen IR a meen) Brand: Polaramine

What is the most significant information I must know about dexchlorpheniramine?

• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing another hazardous activities. Dexchlorpheniramine may reason dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

• Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may magnify drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking dexchlorpheniramine.

• Do not crush, chew, or interrupt any timed-release forms of dexchlorpheniramine. Swallow them intact. They are specially formulated to release slowly into your body.

What is dexchlorpheniramine?

• Dexchlorpheniramine is an antihistamine. It blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in your body.

• Dexchlorpheniramine is used to treat sneezing; runny nose; itching, watery eyes; hives; rashes; itching; and another symptoms of allergies and the general cold.

• Dexchlorpheniramine may also be used for purposes another than those listed in this medicine guide.

Who must not take dexchlorpheniramine?

• Do not take dexchlorpheniramine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the recent 14 days. A very dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

• Till taking this medicine, speak your doctor if you have

· glaucoma or heighten pressure in the eye;

· a stomach ulcer;

· an enlarged prostate, bladder problems, or difficulty urinating;

· an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism);

· hypertension or any type of heart problems; or

· asthma.

• You may not be able to take dexchlorpheniramine, or you may require a lower doze or particular monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

• Dexchlorpheniramine is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not likely to harm an unborn child. Do not take dexchlorpheniramine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

• Infants are especially sensitive to the effects of antihistamines, and serious side effects could occur in a nursing child. Dexchlorpheniramine is not recommended if you are breast-feeding a child. Do not take dexchlorpheniramine without first talking to your doctor if you are nursing a baby.

• If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from dexchlorpheniramine. You may require a lower doze of this medication.

How must I take dexchlorpheniramine?

• Take dexchlorpheniramine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

• Take every doze with a full glass of water.

• Dexchlorpheniramine can be taken with or without food.

• Do not crush, chew, or interrupt any timed-release forms of dexchlorpheniramine. Swallow them intact. They are specially formulated to release slowly into your body.

• To ensure that you get a correct doze, measure the syrup form of dexchlorpheniramine with a particular dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular tablespoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

• Never take more of this medicine than is predesigned for you. The regular-release tablets and the syrup are generally taken each 4 to 6 hours as needed (four to six times a day). The timed-release tablets and capsules are generally taken each 8 to 10 hours as needed (two or three times a day).

• Store dexchlorpheniramine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed doze as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for your following doze, skip the missed doze and take only your following regularly scheduled doze. Do not take a double doze of this medicine unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?

• Search abnormal medical attention.

• Symptoms of a dexchlorpheniramine overdose include extreme sleepiness, confusion, weakness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, big pupils, dry mouth, flushing, fever, shaking, insomnia, hallucinations, and possibly seizures.

What must I avoid while taking dexchlorpheniramine?

• Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may magnify drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking dexchlorpheniramine.

What are the possible side effects of dexchlorpheniramine?

• Stop taking dexchlorpheniramine and search abnormal medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or person; or hives).

• Another, smaller serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take dexchlorpheniramine and conversation to your doctor if you experience

· sleepiness, fatigue, or dizziness;

· headache;

· dry mouth; or

· difficulty urinating or an enlarged prostate.

• Side effects another than those listed here may also occur. Conversation to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What another drugs will affect dexchlorpheniramine?

• Conversation to your pharmacist till taking another over-the-counter cough, cool, allergy, or insomnia medications. These commodity may contain medicines similar to dexchlorpheniramine, which could lead to an antihistamine overdose.

• Till taking this medicine, speak your doctor if you are taking any of the next medicines:

· anxiety or sleep medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), temazepam (Restoril), or triazolam (Halcion);

· medications for depression such as amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), or paroxetine (Paxil); or

· any another medications that create you feel drowsy, sleepy, or relaxed.

• Drugs another than those listed here may also interact with dexchlorpheniramine. Conversation to your doctor and pharmacist till taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about dexchlorpheniramine written for health professionals that you may read.

Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.

Disclaim: Each effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses external of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way must be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safety, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the help of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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