Chlorpheniramine, also known as chlorpheniramine, chlorpheniramine, chlorpheniramine , and chlorpheniramine maleate .
Chlorpheniramine (CP, CPM) is an antihistamine used to treat the symptoms of allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis. It is taken orally. The drug takes effect within two hours and lasts about 4-6 hours.
Common side effects include drowsiness, irritability, and weakness. Other side effects may include dry mouth and wheezing. It is a first-generation antihistamine that works by blocking H1 receptors.
Chlorpheniramine was patented in 1948 and entered medical use in 1949. It is available as a generic and over-the-counter medicine.
Medical Uses - Why is this drug prescribed?
Chlorpheniramine can relieve red, itchy, watery eyes; sneezing; itchy nose or throat; and runny noses caused by allergies, hay fever, and the common cold. Chlorpheniramine can help control cold or allergy symptoms, but it does not treat the cause of the symptoms or speed recovery. Chlorpheniramine belongs to a class of drugs called antihistamines. It works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergy symptoms.
Combination products
Chlorpheniramine is often combined with phenylpropanolamine to form an anti-allergy drug with antihistamine and decongestant properties, but phenylpropanolamine is no longer available in the United States after research showed it increased the risk of stroke in young women. Propanolamine. Chlorpheniramine is still available without such risks.
Chlorpheniramine may be used concomitantly with the opioid hydrocodone. Chlorpheniramine/dihydrocodeine immediate-release syrup is also available. Antihistamines are helpful for coughs caused by allergies or the common cold; they are also synergists of opioids, increasing the suppression of coughing, analgesia, and other effects with a dose of the drug itself. Cough and cold preparations containing codeine and chlorpheniramine are available around the world.
In the drug Coricidin, chlorpheniramine is combined with the cough suppressant dextromethorphan. In the drug Cêgripe, chlorpheniramine is combined with the analgesic paracetamol.
How to use this medicine?
Chlorpheniramine is available as tablets, capsules, extended-release (long-acting) tablets and capsules, chewable lozenges, and an oral liquid. Regular capsules and tablets, chewable tablets, and liquids are usually taken every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Extended-release (long-acting) tablets and capsules are usually taken twice daily, morning and evening, as needed. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any parts you don't understand. Take chlorpheniramine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less, or do not take more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Chlorpheniramine can be used alone or in combination with antipyretics, analgesics, expectors, cough suppressants, and decongestants. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which product is best for your symptoms. Carefully check non-prescription cough and cold product labels before using two or more products together. These products may contain the same active ingredients, and taking them together may cause you to overdose. This is especially important if you are giving your child cough and cold medicine.
Over-the-counter cough and cold combination products, including those containing chlorpheniramine, may cause serious side effects or death in young children. Do not give these products to children under 4 years of age. If you are giving these products to children 4-11 years of age, use caution and follow package directions carefully.
If you are giving chlorpheniramine or a combination product containing chlorpheniramine to a child, read the package label carefully to make sure the product is appropriate for that age group. Do not give adult chlorpheniramine products to children.
Before giving your child a chlorpheniramine product, check the package label to find out how much of the medicine your child should receive. Give the dose appropriate to the child's age on the chart. If you don't know how much medicine to give your child, ask your child's doctor.
If you are taking liquid, do not use a household spoon to measure the dose. Use the measuring spoon or cup that came with the medicine, or use a spoon designed for measuring medicine.
If you are using the extended-release tablets or capsules, swallow them whole. Do not break, crush, chew or open them.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking chlorpheniramine,
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to chlorpheniramine, any other medicine, or any ingredient in the chlorpheniramine product you plan to use. Check the ingredient list on the package label.
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: other medicines to treat colds, hay fever, or allergies; medicines to treat anxiety, depression, or epilepsy; muscle relaxants; narcotic medicines for pain; sedatives; sleeping pills; and sedatives.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have had asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or other types of lung disease; glaucoma (a condition in which increased pressure in the eye can cause progressive loss of vision); ulcers; diabetes; Difficulty urinating (due to an enlarged prostate); heart disease; high blood pressure; seizures; or an overactive thyroid gland.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking chlorpheniramine, call your doctor.
- If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking chlorpheniramine.
- You should know that this medication may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Talk to your doctor about drinking alcohol safely while you are taking chlorpheniramine. Alcohol can worsen the side effects of chlorpheniramine.
- If you are 65 years of age or older, discuss the risks and benefits of taking chlorpheniramine with your doctor. Older adults generally should not take chlorpheniramine because it is not as safe or effective as other medications that may be used to treat the same condition.
What should I do if I forget to take my medicine?
Chlorpheniramine is usually taken as needed. If your doctor tells you to take chlorpheniramine regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
What side effects does this drug cause?
Chlorpheniramine may cause side effects:
- drowsiness
- Dry mouth, nose, and throat
- nausea
- Vomit
- Loss of appetite
- constipate
- Headache
- increased chest congestion
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- vision problems
- Difficulty urinating
A large study of people aged 65 or older links the development of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia to "higher cumulative" use of chlorpheniramine and other first-generation antihistamines because of their Anticholinergic properties. Chlorpheniramine is semi-subjectively assessed by experts as a "high-load" anticholinergic drug.
What should I know about the storage and disposal of this medication?
Store this medication in the original container, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature, away from excessive heat and moisture.
It is important to keep all medications out of the sight or reach of children because many containers are not suitable for children and young children can easily open them. To protect young children from poisoning, be sure to lock the safety helmet and immediately put the medicine in a safe place - out of their sight and reach.
Unwanted medications should be disposed of in a special way to ensure that pets, children, and others cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of medications is through a drug take-back program. Ask your pharmacist or contact your local trash/recycling department to find out about recycling programs in your community.
brand name
- Aller-Chlor®
- Aller-Chlor® Syrup
- Chlo-Amine®
- Chlor-Trimeton® 12 Hour Allergy
- Chlor-Trimeton® 4 Hour Allergy
- Chlor-Trimeton® 8 Hour Allergy
- Chlor-Trimeton® Allergy Syrup
- Polaramine®
- Polaramine® Repetabs®
- Polaramine® Syrup
- Teldrin® Allergy
Brand name of the combination product
- Actifed® Cold and Allergy (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Actifed® Cold and Sinus (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride, and Acetaminophen)
- Ah-Chew® (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Alka-Seltzer Plus® Cold Medicine Liqui-Gels® (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- Allerest® Maximum Strength (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- Atrohist® Pediatric (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- Brexin® LA (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- Chlordrine® SR (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- Chlor-Phed® Timecelles® (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- Chlor-Trimeton® 12 Hour Allergy Decongestant (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Sulfate)
- Chlor-Trimeton® 4 Hour Allergy Decongestant (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Sulfate)
- Comhist® (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Phenylephrine Hydrochloride, and Phenyltoloxamine Citrate)
- Comtrex® Allergy-Sinus Maximum Strength Tablets (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- Coricidin® HBP® Cold & Flu (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Acetaminophen)
- DA Chewable® (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- DA II® (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Dallergy® (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Dallergy® Caplets® (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Dallergy® Syrup (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Deconamine® (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- Deconamine® SR (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- Deconamine® Syrup (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- Dristan® Cold (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Dura-Vent® DA (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- EX-Histine® Syrup (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Extendryl® (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Extendryl® Jr. (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Extendryl® Sr. (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Extendryl® Syrup (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Flu-Relief® Caplets® (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- Histalet® Syrup (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- Kolephrin® Caplets® (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- Kronofed-A® Kronocaps® (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- Kronofed-A-Jr.® Kronocaps® (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- Mescolor® (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- ND Clear® (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- ND-Gesic® (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, Phenylephrine Hydrochloride, and Pyrilamine Maleate)
- Novahistine® Elixir (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Omnihist® LA (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Polaramine® Expectorant (containing Dexchlorpheniramine Maleate, Guaifenesin, and Pseudoephedrine Sulfate)
- Protid® (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Rescon® (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- Rescon® JR (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- Rescon®-ED (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- Rhinatate® (containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate, Phenylephrine Tannate, and Pyrilamine Tannate)
- R-Tannate® (containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate, Phenylephrine Tannate, and Pyrilamine Tannate)
- R-Tannate® Pediatric (containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate, Phenylephrine Tannate, and Pyrilamine Tannate)
- Ryna® (containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- Rynatan® (containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate, Phenylephrine Tannate, and Pyrilamine Tannate)
- Rynatan® Pedia