dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine

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Pronunciation: dex troe meh THOR fan, feh nill EH frin, pie RIH la meen

Brand: Codal-DM Syrup, Codimal DM, Codituss DM, Poly Hist DM

What is the most important information I should know about dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine?

Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

What is dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine?

Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.

Phenylephrine 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.

Dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine is a combination medicine used to treat cough, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itching, and watery eyes caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

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

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

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine?

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, or pyrilamine.

Do not use dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • asthma or COPD, cough with mucus, or cough caused by smoking, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis;
  • high blood pressure, heart disease;
  • glaucoma;
  • enlarged prostate or urination problems;
  • a thyroid disorder; or
  • if you take potassium (Cytra, Epiklor, K-Lyte, K-Phos, Kaon, Klor-Con, Polycitra, Urocit-K).

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

Dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Antihistamines and decongestants may also slow breast milk production. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Cough or cold medicine is usually taken only for 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 liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Call 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.

If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon or doctor ahead of time if you have taken this medicine within the past few days.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since this medicine is taken when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine?

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

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, cough, allergy, or sleep medicine. Antihistamines 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 or cough suppressant.

This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

What are the possible side effects of dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe dizziness or nervousness;
  • painful or difficult urination, little or no urinating;
  • fast or pounding heartbeats; or
  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.

Common side effects may include:

  • dizziness, drowsiness;
  • dry mouth, nose, or throat; or
  • feeling restless or excited (especially in children).

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 other drugs will affect dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine?

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used together. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can worsen these effects. Ask your doctor before taking dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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