Carbinoxamine/Dextromethorphan/Pseudoephedrine, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antihistamine; antitussive (cough suppressant); decongestant

Generic and brand names: carbinoxamine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine; Andehist DM; Carbaxefed DM RF; Decahist-DM; Pediatex-DM; Rondec-DM Drops; Sildec DM; Tussafed

What is this medicine used for?

This combination medicine is taken by mouth to treat the symptoms of colds, allergies, and head congestion. Carbinoxamine is an antihistamine. Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergy to any medicine
• an enlarged prostate gland or trouble urinating
• asthma or other lung disease
• diabetes
• glaucoma
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• kidney or liver disease
• thyroid disease
• ulcers.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes or follow the directions on the package. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than specified because of the increased risk of side effects.

If you have the liquid form, Use the specially marked dropper that comes with the medicine to be sure you are taking the right amount.

You may take this medicine with food or milk to lessen the chance that it may upset your stomach.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?

Because this is a combination medicine, it may affect people differently. The decongestant in this medicine can cause some people to feel excited or active. If this happens, take the last dose of the day before 6 PM to avoid problems sleeping. It may also increase the effects of some diet medicines. Do not take any diet medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.

The antihistamine in this medicine may make some people drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert. The antihistamine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down the central nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.

This medicine may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. Contact lenses may feel uncomfortable. Using eyedrops may help. See your provider if the problem does not go away or if it is severe.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, trouble urinating, shortness of breath.

Other: Drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, dry eyes, blurred vision, nervousness, trouble sleeping, headache, nausea, vomiting.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiamate, Tiazac), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), isradipine (DynaCirc), felodipine (Plendil), amlodipine (Norvasc), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan)
• beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), acebutolol (Sectral), betaxolol (Kerlone), carteolol, bisoprolol (Zebeta), pindolol, metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), timolol, sotalol (Betapace), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), and carvedilol (Coreg)
• herbal remedies such as St. John's wort, valerian, kava, gotu kola, ephedra, and yohimbe
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) (Do not take an MAO inhibitor and this medicine within 14 days of each other.)
• muscle relaxants such as tizanidine (Zanaflex), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), carisoprodol (Soma), methocarbamol (Robaxin), dantrolene Dantrium), and baclofen (Lioresal)
• narcotic analgesics (painkillers) such as codeine, hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), oxycodone (Percocet, Tylox, OxyContin), morphine (MS Contin), propoxyphene (Darvocet N-100), pentazocine (Talwin), meperidine (Demerol), fentanyl (Duragesic patches), methadone (Dolophine), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
• other cough and cold medicines
• sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton), amobarbital (Amytal), zolpidem (Ambien), triazolam (Halcion), zaleplon (Sonata), and butabarbital (Butisol)
• stimulants (for example, diet pills)
• tranquilizers such as diazepam (Valium), meprobamate (Equanil), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), alprazolam (Xanax), and lorazepam (Ativan)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), and doxepin (Sinequan).

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.