brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, phenylephrine

Pronunciation:	brom feh NEER ah meen, dex tro meh THOR fan, gwah FEH neh sin, feh nill EFF rin
Brand:	AccuHist PDX Syrup

What is the most important information I should know about brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine.

Do not take this product for persistent or chronic cough such as occurs with smoking, asthma, emphysema, or if cough is accompanied by excessive phlegm (mucus) unless directed by a doctor. Do not take this product to treat a cough for longer than one week.

Do not take brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine for longer than 7 days in a row. If your symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you have a fever, talk to your doctor.

Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of this medication can cause serious harm.

What is brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine?

Brompheniramine is an antihistamine. It blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in the body. Brompheniramine prevents sneezing; itchy, watery eyes and nose; and other symptoms of allergies and hay fever.

Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It suppresses an area in the brain that causes coughing.

Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It increases secretions in the lungs and helps to loosen phlegm and congestion.

Phenylephrine is a decongestant. It works by constricting (shrinking) blood vessels (veins and arteries) in the body. Constriction of blood vessels in the sinuses and nose decreases congestion.

Brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine is used to treat cough and nasal congestion associated with allergies or the common cold.

Brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine?

Do not take brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine if you have taken selegiline (Carbex, Eldepryl) or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

epilepsy or another seizure disorder;
been diagnosed with sleep apnea (periods of not breathing during sleep);
thyroid problems;
asthma, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
gallbladder disease;
a head injury;
Addison's disease;
diabetes;
glaucoma;
an ulcer or an obstruction in the stomach;
bladder problems or difficulty urinating;
an enlarged prostate;
high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, or any type of heart disease;
kidney problems; or
liver problems.

You may not be able to take brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

It is not known whether brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

Brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine may pass into breast milk and affect a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Read the package label for directions or consult your doctor or pharmacist before treating a child with this medication. Children are more susceptible than adults to the effects of medicines and may have unusual reactions.

If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.

How should I take brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine?

Take brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine exactly as directed. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid form of brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine with a special dose-measuring dropper, spoon, or cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of this medication can cause serious harm.

Store brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

Symptoms of a brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine overdose include dry mouth, large pupils, flushing, nausea, vomiting, hyperactivity, or hallucinations.

What should I avoid while taking brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine?

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine.

Do not take other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, diet, or sleep aids while taking brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Other medications may also contain brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, or other similar drugs. You may accidentally take too much of these medicines.

Brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, other antihistamines, pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur if brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine is taken with any of these medications.

What are the possible side effects of brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine?

Serious side effects are unlikely to occur. Stop taking brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine and seek emergency medical attention if an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives) is experienced.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine and talk to your doctor or try another similar medication if you experience

dryness of the eyes, nose, or mouth;
drowsiness or dizziness;
blurred vision;
difficulty urinating; or
excitation in children.

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.

What other drugs will affect brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine?

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

There are many brand and generic formulations of brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine available with a prescription under the brand name AccuHist PDX Syrup. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2003 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.01. Revision date: 3/14/04.

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