hydrocodone-chlorpheniramine

This combination product is used to treat coughs and other symptoms caused by the common cold or allergies. This product contains 2 medications: hydrocodone and chlorpheniramine. Hydrocodone is an opioid cough suppressant (antitussive) that acts on a certain part of the brain (cough center) to reduce the urge to cough. Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine that helps to relieve watery eyes, itchy eyes/nose/throat, runny nose, and sneezing.

Opioid cough suppressants should not be used in children younger than 18 years. Children are at higher risk for serious (even fatal) side effects, especially breathing problems. Talk with the doctor about the risks and benefits of this medication.

Cough-and-cold products do not cure colds. Cough due to a common cold often does not need to be treated with medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about other ways to relieve cough and cold symptoms, such as drinking enough fluids, using a humidifier, or saline nose drops/spray.

Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking hydrocodone/chlorpheniramine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually every 12 hours.

Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than every 12 hours or for longer than prescribed. Doing so may increase the risk of serious (possibly fatal) breathing problems.

Shake this medication well before each dose. Carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. Do not mix this medication with other liquids or medications. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects.

If you suddenly stop using this medication, you may have withdrawal symptoms (such as restlessness, watering eyes, runny nose, nausea, sweating, muscle aches). To help prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Withdrawal is more likely if you have used this medication for a long time or in high doses. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have withdrawal.

When this medication is used for a long time, it may not work as well. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.

Though it helps many people, this medication has a risk for abuse and may sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Tell your doctor if your cough does not get better in 5 days or if your condition lasts or gets worse.

See also Warning section.

Drowsiness, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, constipation, blurred vision, dry mouth/nose/throat may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

To relieve dry mouth, suck (sugarless) hard candy or ice chips, chew (sugarless) gum, drink water, or use a saliva substitute. This medication can dry up and thicken mucus in your lungs, making it more difficult to breathe and clear your lungs. To help prevent this effect, drink plenty of fluids unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

To prevent constipation, eat dietary fiber, drink enough water, and exercise. You may also need to take a laxative. Ask your pharmacist which type of laxative is right for you.

To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: interrupted breathing during sleep (sleep apnea), mental/mood changes (such as depression, agitation, confusion, hallucinations), stomach/abdominal pain, difficulty urinating, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat.

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: slow/shallow breathing, fainting, severe drowsiness/difficulty waking up, seizures.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to hydrocodone or chlorpheniramine; or to dexchlorpheniramine; or to other opioids (such as benzhydrocodone, codeine, hydromorphone); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (including sulfites such as sodium metabisulfite), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: breathing problems (such as asthma, croup, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD), brain disorders (such as seizures, head injury, tumor), stomach/intestinal problems (such as blockage, constipation, diarrhea due to infection, paralytic ileus), glaucoma (narrow-angle), difficulty urinating (such as due to enlarged prostate or urethral stricture), personal or family history of a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol), kidney disease, liver disease, gallbladder disease, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), adrenal gland problem (such as Addison's disease), disease of the pancreas (pancreatitis), mental/mood disorders (such as confusion, depression, thoughts of suicide, toxic psychosis), heart problems (such as irregular heartbeat).

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or blur your vision. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

This medication may contain sugar. If you have diabetes, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to use this product safely.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, constipation, trouble urinating, and slow/shallow breathing. Drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion can increase the risk of falling.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. During pregnancy, this product is not recommended. It may harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of this medication. See also Warning section.

This product passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant (such as unusual sleepiness, difficulty feeding, trouble breathing, or unusual limpness). Breast-feeding while using this product is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

See also Warning section.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: anticholinergic drugs (such as belladonna alkaloids, scopolamine), antihistamines applied to the skin (such as diphenhydramine cream, ointment, spray), naltrexone, certain pain medications (mixed opioid agonist-antagonists such as pentazocine, nalbuphine, butorphanol), tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline, desipramine).

The risk of serious side effects (such as slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness) may be increased if this medication is taken with other products that may also cause drowsiness or breathing problems. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products such as other opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydromorphone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or other antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine).

Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or other cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

Other medications can affect the removal of hydrocodone/chlorpheniramine from your body, which may affect how hydrocodone/chlorpheniramine works. Examples include azole antifungals (such as ketoconazole), macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), mifepristone, HIV medications (such as ritonavir), rifamycins (such as rifabutin, rifampin), certain drugs used to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin), among others.

Chlorpheniramine is very similar to dexchlorpheniramine. Do not use medications containing dexchlorpheniramine while using chlorpheniramine.

This product may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including allergy skin testing, amylase/lipase levels), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness, mental/mood changes (such as confusion, agitation), cold/clammy skin, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, seizures, coma.

If you are prescribed this medication on a regular schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Do not share this medication with others. Sharing it is against the law.