Acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine Uses, Side Effects & Warnings - Drugs.com

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# Acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine

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, Comtrex Severe Cold & Sinus, Contac Cold+Flu Maximum Strength, Dristan Cold Multi Symptom Formula, Robitussin Nighttime Nasal Relief, ... show all 19 brands Tylenol Allergy Multi-Symptom, Tylenol Children's Plus Cold, Tylenol Sinus Congestion Nighttime, Gendecon, Protid, Dryphen, Comtrex Severe Cold and Sinus, Comtrex Flu Therapy, Sinus Congestion and Pain Nighttime, Allergy Relief Multi-Symptom, Tylenol Sinus Congestion-Pain Cool Burst, Norel AD, Relief-PE, Contact Cold and Flu Night
Dosage forms: oral kit (varying strength); oral liquid (160 mg-1 mg-2.5 mg/5 mL); oral tablet (325 mg-2 mg-5 mg; 325 mg-4 mg-10 mg; 500 mg-2 mg-5 mg); oral tablet, effervescent (250 mg-2 mg-5 mg)
Drug class: Upper respiratory combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Feb 1, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

## What is acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine?

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer.

Chlorpheniramine 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).

Acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine is a combination medicine used to treat headache, fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and sinus congestion caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

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

## Warnings

Do not use acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death. Call your doctor at once if you have nausea, pain in your upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

## Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, or phenylephrine.

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.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medicine if you have other medical conditions, especially:

- asthma or COPD, cough with mucus, or cough caused by smoking, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis;

- a blockage in your stomach or intestines;

- liver disease, alcoholism, or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day;

- kidney disease;

- high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, or recent heart attack;

- enlarged prostate or urination problems;

- glaucoma;

- diabetes;

- overactive thyroid;

- pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumor); or

- if you take potassium (Cytra, Epiklor, K-Lyte, K-Phos, Kaon, Klor-Con, Polycitra, Urocit-K).

It is not known whether acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without your doctor's advice if you are pregnant.

This medication 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 your doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

## How should I take acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine?

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.

Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death.

Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Drop the effervescent tablets into a glass of water (at least 4 ounces, or one-half cup). Stir this mixture and drink all of it right away.

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.

Do not take for longer than 7 days in a row. Stop taking the medicine and call your doctor if you still have a fever after 3 days of use, you still have pain after 7 days (or 5 days if treating a child), if your symptoms get worse, or if you have a skin rash, ongoing headache, or any redness or swelling.

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 liquid medicine to freeze.

## What happens if I miss a dose?

Since acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine 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. An overdose of acetaminophen can be fatal.

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.

## What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as APAP) is contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much acetaminophen which can lead to a fatal overdose. Check the label to see if a medicine contains acetaminophen or APAP.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while taking acetaminophen, and can increase certain side effects of chlorpheniramine.

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.

## Acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine side effects

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

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal. This could occur even if you have taken acetaminophen in the past and had no reaction. Stop taking acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling. If you have this type of reaction, you should never again take any medicine that contains acetaminophen.

This medicine may cause serious side effects. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

- chest pain, rapid pulse, fast or uneven heart rate;

- confusion, hallucinations, severe nervousness;

- tremor, seizure (convulsions);

- easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

- little or no urinating;

- nausea, pain in your upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes); or

- dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, and confusion may be more likely in older adults.

Common side effects of acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine may include:

- dizziness, drowsiness;

- mild headache, blurred vision;

- dry mouth, nose, or throat;

- constipation;

- feeling nervous; or

- sleep problems (insomnia);

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 side effects (more detail)

## Acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and 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.

Detailed Acetaminophen / chlorpheniramine / phenylephrine dosage information

## What other drugs will affect acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine?

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 acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Acetaminophen / chlorpheniramine / phenylephrine drug interactions (more detail)

## Where can I get more information?

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.

## More about acetaminophen / chlorpheniramine / phenylephrine

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#### Other brands

Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold, Norel AD, Robitussin Peak Cold Nighttime Nasal Relief, Tylenol Sinus Congestion & Pain Nighttime, ... +9 more

### Related treatment guides

- Sinus Symptoms
- Cold Symptoms

## Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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