• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

What is chlorpheniramine?
Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine. Chlorpheniramine blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in your body. Chlorpheniramine is used to treat sneezing; runny nose; itching, watery eyes; hives; rashes; itching; and other symptoms of allergies and the common cold. Chlorpheniramine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of chlorpheniramine?

If you experience an allergic reaction to chlorpheniramine including swelling of your lips, tongue, or face, difficulty breathing, closing of your throat, or hives, stop taking it and seek emergency medical attention.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take chlorpheniramine and talk to your doctor if you experience

• sleepiness, fatigue, or dizziness;

• headache;

• dry mouth; or

• difficulty urinating or an enlarged prostate.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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How should I take chlorpheniramine?
Take chlorpheniramine exactly as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Chlorpheniramine can be taken with or without food. Do not crush, chew, or break any timed release forms of chlorpheniramine. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release slowly into your body. To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the syrup form of chlorpheniramine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular tablespoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

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What is the most important information I should know about chlorpheniramine?
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Chlorpheniramine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking chlorpheniramine. Do not crush, chew, or break any timed release forms of chlorpheniramine. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release slowly into your body.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

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What other drugs will affect chlorpheniramine?
Do not take chlorpheniramine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A very dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects. Talk to your pharmacist before taking other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or insomnia medications. These products may contain medicines similar to chlorpheniramine, which could lead to an overdose of antihistamine. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Chlorpheniramine has been assigned to pregnancy category B by the FDA. Animal studies have not been reported. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Chlorpheniramine is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.

The Collaborative Perinatal Project monitored 1,070 first trimester exposures and 3,931 exposures which occurred anytime during pregnancy. No evidence was found to suggest a relationship to large categories of malformations. Antihistamine exposure in the first trimester in general was not associated with an increased risk of malformations.

There are no data on the excretion of chlorpheniramine into human milk. However, because other antihistamines are excreted into human milk in low concentrations, the manufacturer recommends that caution be used when administering chlorpheniramine to nursing women.

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What does my medication look like?
Chlorpheniramine is available both with a prescription and over the counter under many brand and generic names as regular tablets, chewable tablets, timed-release tablets, and a syrup. Other formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a chlorpheniramine overdose include extreme sleepiness, confusion, weakness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, large pupils, dry mouth, flushing, fever, shaking, insomnia, hallucinations, and possibly seizures.

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Who should not take chlorpheniramine?
Do not take chlorpheniramine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A very dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma or increased pressure in the eye; a stomach ulcer; an enlarged prostate, bladder problems or difficulty urinating; an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism); hypertension or any type of heart problems; or

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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