Chlorpheniramine (patient information)
Why this medication is prescribed
Chlorpheniramine, an antihistamine, relieves red, itchy, watery eyes; sneezing; and runny nose caused by allergies, hay fever, and the common cold. It may also relieve the itching of insect bites, bee stings, poison ivy, and poison oak.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How this medication should be used
Chlorpheniramine comes as a extended-release (long-acting) tablet and capsule, a regular tablet and capsule, chewable tablet, liquid, and syrup to take by mouth. It usually is taken every 4-6 hours or twice a day, in the morning and evening, as needed. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take chlorpheniramine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Do not break, crush, or chew extended-release tablets and do not open extended-release capsules; swallow them whole.
Do not give extended-release tablets or capsules to a child less than 12 years of age and do not give regular or chewable tablets or liquid to a child less than 6 years of age unless directed to do so by a doctor.
Special precautions
Before taking chlorpheniramine:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to chlorpheniramine or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other medications for colds, hay fever, or allergies; medications for depression or seizures; muscle relaxants; narcotics (pain medications); sedatives; sleeping pills; tranquilizers; and vitamins. Do not take chlorpheniramine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor [phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate)] in the last 2 weeks.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, glaucoma, ulcers, diabetes, difficulty urinating (due to an enlarged prostate gland), heart disease, high blood pressure, seizures, or an overactive thyroid gland.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking chlorpheniramine, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking chlorpheniramine.
- you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
- remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
What to do if you forget a dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Side effects
Minor side effects
Chlorpheniramine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- dry mouth, nose, and throat
- upset stomach
- headache
- chest congestion
- diarrhea
Severe side effects
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- vision problems
- difficulty urinating
- difficulty breathing
- muscle weakness
- prolonged drowsiness
- excitement (especially in children)
- dizziness
- skin rash
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
Storage conditions needed for this medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Other information
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
Brand names
- Aller-Chlor®
- Aller-Chlor® Syrup
- Chlo-Amine®
- Chlor-Trimeton® 12 Hour Allergy
- Chlor-Trimeton® 4 Hour Allergy
- Chlor-Trimeton® 8 Hour Allergy
- Chlor-Trimeton® Allergy Syrup
- Efidac 24® Chlorpheniramine
- Polaramine®
- Polaramine® Repetabs®
- Polaramine® Syrup
- Teldrin® Allergy
Brand names of combination products
- Ah-Chew® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
- Alka-Seltzer Plus® Cold Medicine Liqui-Gels® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Allerest® Maximum Strength containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Atrohist® Pediatric containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Brexin® L.A. containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Chlordrine® S.R. containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Chlor-Phed® Timecelles® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Chlor-Trimeton® 12 Hour Allergy Decongestant containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Sulfate
- Chlor-Trimeton® 4 Hour Allergy Decongestant containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Sulfate
- Comhist® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Phenylephrine Hydrochloride, and Phenyltoloxamine Citrate
- Comtrex® Allergy-Sinus Maximum Strength Tablets containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Coricidin® HBP® Cold & Flu containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Acetaminophen
- D.A. Chewable® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
- D.A. II® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
- Dallergy® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
- Dallergy® Caplets® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
- Dallergy® Syrup containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
- Deconamine® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Deconamine® SR containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Deconamine® Syrup containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Dristan® Cold containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
- Dura-Vent/®DA containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
- EX-Histine® Syrup containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
- Extendryl® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
- Extendryl® Jr. containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
- Extendryl® Sr. containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
- Extendryl® Syrup containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
- Flu-Relief® Caplets® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Histalet® Syrup containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Kolephrin® Caplets® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Kronofed-A® Kronocaps® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Kronofed-A-Jr.® Kronocaps® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Mescolor® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- ND Clear® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- ND-Gesic® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, Phenylephrine Hydrochloride, and Pyrilamine Maleate
- Novahistine® Elixir containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
- Omnihist® LA containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
- Polaramine® Expectorant containing Dexchlorpheniramine Maleate, Guaifenesin, and Pseudoephedrine Sulfate
- Protid® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
- Rescon® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Rescon® JR containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Rescon®-ED containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Rhinatate® containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate, Phenylephrine Tannate, and Pyrilamine Tannate
- R-Tannate® containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate, Phenylephrine Tannate, and Pyrilamine Tannate
- R-Tannate® Pediatric containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate, Phenylephrine Tannate, and Pyrilamine Tannate
- Ryna® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Rynatan® containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate, Phenylephrine Tannate, and Pyrilamine Tannate
- Rynatan® Pediatric containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate, Phenylephrine Tannate, and Pyrilamine Tannate
- Rynatan®-S Pediatric containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate, Phenylephrine Tannate, and Pyrilamine Tannate
- Rynatuss® containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate, Carbetapentane Tannate, Ephedrine Tannate, and Phenylephrine Tannate
- Rynatuss® Pediatric containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate, Carbetapentane Tannate, Ephedrine Tannate, and Phenylephrine Tannate
- Ry-Tuss® containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate, Carbetapentane Tannate, Ephedrine Tannate, and Phenylephrine Tannate
- Ry-Tuss® Pediatric containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate, Carbetapentane Tannate, Ephedrine Tannate, and Phenylephrine Tannate
- Sinarest® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudophedrine Hydrochloride
- Sinarest® Extra Strength Caplets® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Sine-Off® Sinus Medicine Caplets® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Singlet® Caplets® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Sinutab® Sinus Allergy Maximum Strength Caplets® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Sinutab® Sinus Allergy Maximum Strength Tablets containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Sudafed® Cold & Allergy containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Tanafed® containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate and Pseudoephedrine Tannate
- Tanoral® Pediatric containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate, Phenylephrine Tannate, and Pyrilamine Tannate
- Tanoral®-S Pediatric containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate, Phenylephrine Tannate, and Pyrilamine Tannate
- TheraFlu® Flu and Cold Medicine containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- TheraFlu® Flu and Cold Medicine for Sore Throat Maximum Strength containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Triaminic® Cold & Allergy Softchews® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Triotann® containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate, Phenylephrine Tannate, and Pyrilamine Tannate
- Triotann® Pediatric containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate, Phenylephrine Tannate, and Pyrilamine Tannate
- Triotann®-S Pediatric containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate, Phenylephrine Tannate, and Pyrilamine Tannate
- Triple Tannate® Pediatric Suspension containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate, Phenylephrine Tannate, and Pyrilamine Tannate
- Tussi-12® containing Chlorpheniramine Tannate, Carbetapentane Tannate, and Phenylephrine Tannate
- Tylenol® Allergy Sinus Maximum Strength Caplets® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Tylenol® Allergy Sinus Maximum Strength Gelcaps® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Tylenol® Allergy Sinus Maximum Strength Geltabs® containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Tylenol® Cold Multi-Symptom Children's containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Vanex® Forte-R containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methscopolamine Nitrate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride