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This combination medication is used to temporarily treat cough, stuffy nose, body aches, and other symptoms (e.g., fever, headache, sore throat) caused by the common cold, flu, or other breathing illnesses (e.g., sinusitis, bronchitis). Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that affects a certain part of the brain (cough center), reducing the urge to cough. Decongestants help to relieve stuffy nose symptoms. This product also contains acetaminophen, a non-aspirin pain reliever and fever reducer.This medication is usually not used for ongoing coughs from smoking, asthma, or other long-term breathing problems (e.g., emphysema), or for coughs with a lot of mucus, unless directed by your doctor.
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Phenylephrine-DM-Acetaminophen images:
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| Overview |
Photos |
How To Use |
Side Effects |
Precautions |
Missed Dose |
Drug Interactions |
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Phenylephrine-DM-Acetaminophen
Uses
This combination medication is used to temporarily treat cough, stuffy nose, body aches, and other symptoms (e.g., fever, headache, sore throat) caused by the common cold, flu, or other breathing illnesses (e.g., sinusitis, bronchitis). Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that affects a certain part of the brain (cough center), reducing the urge to cough. Decongestants help to relieve stuffy nose symptoms. This product also contains acetaminophen, a non-aspirin pain reliever and fever reducer.This medication is usually not used for ongoing coughs from smoking, asthma, or other long-term breathing problems (e.g., emphysema), or for coughs with a lot of mucus, unless directed by your doctor.
Notes
- Keep all regular medical and laboratory appointments.
Storage
- Store as directed on the package label.
- Protect from light and moisture.
- Do not store in the bathroom.
- If you have any questions about storage, ask your pharmacist.
- Keep all drug products away from children and pets.
Overdose
- Symptoms of overdose may include: agitation, confusion, hallucinations, seizures.
How To Use
- If you are taking the over-the-counter product, read all directions on the product package before taking this medication.
- If you have any questions, consult your pharmacist.Take this medication by mouth with or without food or as directed by your doctor.
- This medication can be taken with food or milk if stomach upset occurs.The dosage is based on your age.
- Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than directed without your doctor's approval.
- Improper use of this medication (abuse) may result in serious harm (e.g., brain damage, seizure, death).To decrease the risk for serious side effects, carefully follow all of the package label dosage directions.
- Do not give other cough or cold medication that might contain the same or similar ingredients (see also Drug Interactions section).
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist about other ways to relieve cough and cold symptoms (e.g., saline nose drops/spray, using a humidifier or infant nasal suction bulb).Tell your doctor if your condition persists for more than 1 week, if it worsens, or if it occurs with rash, persistent headache, or fever lasting more than 3 days.
- These may be symptoms of a serious medical problem and should be checked by a doctor.
Side Effects
- Dizziness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, nervousness, or trouble sleeping may occur.
- If any of these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly.If your doctor has directed you to take this medication, remember that 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 if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, hallucinations), shaking (tremors), weakness.Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest pain, fast/irregular heartbeat.In adults who do not have liver problems, the maximum dose of acetaminophen (one ingredient in this product) is 4 grams (4000 milligrams) per day.
- The maximum dose of acetaminophen for children is based on age/weight.
- Do not take more than the maximum daily amount because doing so may cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease.
- Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage: persistent nausea/vomiting, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, stomach/abdominal pain, unusual tiredness.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs.
- Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of tongue/lips/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions
- Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any of its ingredients; or if you have any other allergies.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: breathing problems (e.g., asthma, emphysema), diabetes, glaucoma, heart problems, high blood pressure, kidney problems, liver disease, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), trouble urinating (e.g., due to enlarged prostate), use/abuse of alcohol.This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy.
- Use caution while driving, using machinery, or doing any activity that requires alertness.
- Limit alcoholic beverages.Acetaminophen may cause liver damage.
- Daily use of alcohol may increase your risk for liver damage, especially when combined with acetaminophen.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.The elderly may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, especially dizziness and mental/mood changes.During pregnancy, this medication should be used only if clearly needed.
- Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.This medication may pass into breast milk.
- Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Missed Dose
- If your doctor has directed you to take this medication on a regular schedule and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
- If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
- Do not double the dose to catch up.
Drug Interactions
- If you are taking this product under your doctor's direction, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.
- Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.This product should not be used with the following medications because very serious (rarely fatal) interactions may occur: MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine), sibutramine.If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this medication.
- Avoid taking MAO inhibitors within 2 weeks before, during, and after taking this medication.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially: anti-seizure medications (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital), beta blockers (e.g., metoprolol, atenolol), "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), guanethidine, isoniazid, memantine, methyldopa, phenothiazines (e.g., chlorpromazine), reserpine, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, desipramine).The ingredients in this product are available in many prescription and nonprescription products.
- Check the labels on all your medications carefully to make sure you are not taking more than one product with the same ingredient(s).
- Consult your pharmacist if you are unsure of the ingredients in any of your medications.Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone).
- Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., other cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness.
- Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., other cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure.
- Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.This medication may interfere with certain urine laboratory tests (e.g., 5-HIAA levels), possibly causing false test results.
- Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
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