phenylephrine and pyrilamine

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Pronunciation: FEN il EFF rin and pir IL a meen

Brand: Aldex D, Poly Hist Forte (old formulation), Pyril D, Ru-Hist-D

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

Do not use 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.

What is phenylephrine and pyrilamine?

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.

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

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

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 phenylephrine and pyrilamine?

Do not use 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.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medication if you have:

  • asthma or COPD;
  • high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease;
  • severe constipation, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, or a colostomy or ileostomy;
  • diabetes;
  • glaucoma;
  • a thyroid disorder;
  • liver or kidney disease;
  • epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
  • cough with mucus, or cough caused by smoking, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis;
  • enlarged prostate or urination problems;
  • pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumor); 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 phenylephrine and pyrilamine will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without medical advice if you are pregnant.

Phenylephrine and pyrilamine may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Antihistamines and decongestants may also slow breast milk production. Do not use this medicine without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Artificially sweetened cold medicine may contain phenylalanine. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), check the medication label to see if the product contains phenylalanine.

How should I take phenylephrine and pyrilamine?

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. This medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

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.

Do not take for longer than 7 days in a row. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache or skin rash.

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.

The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.

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. Do not allow the liquid form of this medicine to freeze.

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 phenylephrine and pyrilamine?

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

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of pyrilamine.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, cough, allergy, or sleep medicine. Phenylephrine and pyrilamine 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 decongestant.

What are the possible side effects of 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 medication and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • fast or uneven heart rate;
  • mood changes;
  • tremor, seizure (convulsions);
  • easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
  • little or no urinating;
  • feeling short of breath; or
  • dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, chest pain, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Common side effects may include:

  • dizziness, drowsiness;
  • dry mouth, nose, or throat;
  • constipation;
  • blurred vision; or
  • feeling nervous or restless.

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 phenylephrine and pyrilamine?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you are also using any other drugs, 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 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 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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