Generic Name: acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine (a SEET a MIN oh fen, KLOR fen EER a meen, FEN ill EFF rin)
Brand names: Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold, Allergy Relief Multi-Symptom, Comtrex Flu Therapy, Comtrex Severe Cold & Sinus, Dristan Cold Multi Symptom Formula, Dryphen, Protid, Sinus Congestion & Pain Nighttime, Tylenol Allergy Multi-Symptom, Tylenol Children's Plus Cold, Tylenol Sinus Congestion Nighttime, ...show all 17 brand names.
What is acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine?
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer.
Chlorpheniramine 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 acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine is used to treat runny or stuffy nose, sinus congestion, sneezing, and pain or fever caused by allergies or the common cold.
Acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine?
There are many brands and forms of this medication available and not all brands are listed on this leaflet.
Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough or cold medicine in very young children. Do not use 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. Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can cause damage to your liver. Do not use any other cough, cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. 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 acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as "APAP"), chlorpheniramine, or phenylephrine. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase the risk of liver damage while you are taking acetaminophen. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, do not take acetaminophen without your doctor's advice, and never take more than 2 grams (2000 mg) per day.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine?
Do not use 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 a decongestant before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body. Do not take this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, or phenylephrine, or to other antihistamines or decongestants, diet pills, stimulants, or ADHD medications.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine if you have:
heart disease or high blood pressure;
liver disease, alcoholism, or cirrhosis of the liver;
glaucoma;
kidney disease;
diabetes;
a thyroid disorder;
an enlarged prostate; or
problems with urination.
This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. This medication may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Artificially-sweetened liquid forms of cold medicine may contain phenylalanine. This would be important to know if you have phenylketonuria (PKU). Check the ingredients and warnings on the medication label if you are concerned about phenylalanine.
How should I take acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine?
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended. Cold medicine should be taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.
An overdose of acetaminophen can cause serious harm. The maximum amount of acetaminophen for adults is 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. Taking more acetaminophen could cause damage to your liver. One acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine tablet may contain up to 500 mg of acetaminophen. Know the amount of acetaminophen in the specific product you are taking. Always ask a doctor before giving cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough or cold medicine in very young children. Take this medication with food or milk if it upsets your stomach. Drink extra fluids while you are taking acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine.
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, cough, or skin rash.
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.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time if you have taken a cold medicine within the past few days.
Store this medication at room temperature, away from heat, light, and moisture.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
The first signs of an acetaminophen overdose include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, sweating, and confusion or weakness. Later symptoms may include pain in your upper stomach, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
Overdose symptoms may also include feeling restless or nervous, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, warmth or tingly feeling, or seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine?
Avoid taking diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications) without your doctor's advice. Taking a stimulant together with a decongestant can increase your risk of unpleasant side effects.
Do not use any other cough, cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as "APAP"), chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine are contained in many cold and pain medicines 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 acetaminophen, APAP, chlorpheniramine, or phenylephrine. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase the risk of liver damage while you are taking acetaminophen. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, do not take acetaminophen without your doctor's advice, and never take more than 2 grams (2000 mg) per day. This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather.
Acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine side effects
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 medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;
confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness;
increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure);
urinating less than usual or not at all;
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
blurred vision;
dry mouth;
mild loss of appetite;
nausea, stomach pain, constipation;
dizziness, drowsiness;
problems with memory or concentration;
ringing in your ears;
restless or excitability (especially in children);
sleep problems (insomnia);
skin rash, redness, or itching; or
warmth, tingling, or redness under your skin.
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.
Acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Cold Symptoms:
acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine varying strength oral kit:
Day time tablets (without chlorpheniramine): 2 tablets every 4 hours not to exceed 8 tablets daily.
Night time tablets: 2 tablets every 4 hours no sooner than 4 hours after the last day time dose not to exceed 4 tablets daily.
Usual Adult Dose for Sinus Symptoms:
acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine varying strength oral kit:
Day time tablets (without chlorpheniramine): 2 tablets every 4 hours not to exceed 8 tablets daily.
Night time tablets: 2 tablets every 4 hours no sooner than 4 hours after the last day time dose not to exceed 4 tablets daily.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Cold Symptoms:
acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine varying strength oral kit:
12 years or older: Day time tablets (without chlorpheniramine): 2 tablets every 4 hours not to exceed 8 tablets daily. Night time tablets: 2 tablets every 4 hours no sooner than 4 hours after the last day time dose not to exceed 4 tablets daily.
acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine 160 mg-1 mg-2.5 mg/5 mL oral liquid:
6 to 11 years or 22 to 43 kg: 10 mL orally every 4 hours not to exceed 5 doses.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Sinus Symptoms:
acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine varying strength oral kit:
12 years or older: Day time tablets (without chlorpheniramine): 2 tablets every 4 hours not to exceed 8 tablets daily. Night time tablets: 2 tablets every 4 hours no sooner than 4 hours after the last day time dose not to exceed 4 tablets daily.
acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine 160 mg-1 mg-2.5 mg/5 mL oral liquid:
6 to 11 years or 22 to 43 kg: 10 mL orally every 4 hours not to exceed 5 doses.
What other drugs will affect acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by chlorpheniramine.
Also tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
an antidepressant;
a bronchodilator;
a diuretic (water pill);
gout medications;
blood pressure medication;
medication to treat irritable bowel syndrome;
bladder or urinary medications such as oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol) or tolterodine (Detrol);
seizure medication;
isoniazid;
zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT);
aspirin or salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doan's Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others); or
a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin, Tenoretic), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
More acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine resources
- Acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine Side Effects (in more detail)
- Acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine Drug Interactions
- Acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine Support Group
- 3 Reviews for Acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine - Add your own review/rating
Compare acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine with other medications
- Cold Symptoms
- Sinus Symptoms
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine.
See also: acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine side effects (in more detail)
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