|
Carbinoxamine, Pseudoephedrine, and Dextromethorphan |
|
|
|
| Pronunciation |
|
 (kar
bi NOKS a meen, soo doe e FED
rin, & deks troe meth OR fan) |
|
|
| Brand Names |
|
| Carbodec DM®; Cardec DM®;
Pseudo-Car® DM; Rondamine-DM® Drops; Rondec®-DM;
Tussafed®
Drops |
|
|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Antihistamine/Decongestant/Antitussive |
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- Carbinoxamine relieves symptoms (runny nose; sneezing; throat
irritation and itching; watery, irritated, itchy, red eyes) from allergies.
- Pseudoephedrine is used to treat long-term nasal congestion and
headaches.
- Dextromethorphan suppresses
coughing.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Carbinoxamine, if taken before coming in contact with the material
that causes the allergy, blocks the allergic reaction by minimizing/preventing
the body's reaction to the allergen.
- Pseudoephedrine shrinks swollen nasal tissue and opens up passages.
Sinus drainage is increased by this.
- Dextromethorphan acts by affecting the brain's cough
center.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- Take last dose at least a few hours before bed. Medicine may cause
inability to sleep.
- A liquid (syrup, drops) is available if you cannot swallow pills.
Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube
before and after medicine is given.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- This medicine may also be taken on an as needed basis depending on
relief of symptoms, duration of cold, or
allergy.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Wear disease medical alert identification for allergies.
- Increased activity or inability to sleep may be seen in children.
- Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake.
Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and
anxiety.
- Pseudoephedrine can cause insomnia.
- Not for coughs due to smoking, asthma, or chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease.
- Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure.
These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like
products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Inability to sleep, nervousness and excitability, and
restlessness.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Watch for change in symptoms. Is condition better, worse, or about the
same?
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Chest pain, fast heartbeats, passing out, fainting, or severe
headache.
- If cough continues for more than 1 week or tends to return.
- Severe headache.
- Too tired or sleepy.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
|
|
|
Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
|
|
|
|
The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.
|
![[Subscribe to Newsletter]](http://www.healthandage.org/images/tonews.gif){kind=small}
Alternative Medicine
