DECONGESTANT/OPIOID ANTITUSSIVE - ORAL

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DECONGESTANT/OPIOID ANTITUSSIVE - ORAL

PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION:

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Alahist DHC, Symtan

GENERIC NAME(S): pseudoephedrine HCl/hydrocodone bitartrate

Uses

USES: This combination medication is used to temporarily treat cough and congestion caused by the common cold, flu, and other breathing illnesses (e.g., bronchitis, sinusitis). Decongestants help relieve stuffy nose and ear congestion symptoms. This product also contains an opioid cough suppressant (antitussive) that affects a certain part of the brain, reducing the urge to cough. This medication is not usually used for ongoing coughs from smoking, asthma, other long-term breathing problems (e.g., emphysema), or coughs with a lot of mucus unless directed by your doctor. Do not use this product in children younger than 18 years. There is a risk of serious (rarely fatal) side effects, such as breathing problems. Cough-and-cold products do not cure colds. Cough due to a common cold often does not need to be treated with medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about other ways to relieve cough and cold symptoms, such as drinking enough fluids, using a humidifier, or saline nose drops/spray.


How to use DECONGESTANT/OPIOID ANTITUSSIVE - ORAL

HOW TO USE: Read the Medication Guide if available from your pharmacist before you start taking this product and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medication by mouth with or without food or as directed by your doctor. This medication may be taken with food or milk if stomach upset occurs. Drink plenty of fluids when you use this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. The fluid will help loosen the mucus in your lungs. If you are using the liquid form, use a medication-measuring device or spoon to carefully measure the prescribed dose. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. If your liquid form is a suspension, shake the bottle well before each dose. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose or use this product more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase. This medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time (more than a few weeks) in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms (such as restlessness, sweating, chills, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea) may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions right away. Though it helps many people, this product has a risk for abuse and may sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Take this product exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. When used for an extended time, this medication may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well. Tell your doctor if your condition persists for more than 1 week, if it worsens, or if it occurs with fever, rash, or persistent headache. These may be symptoms of a serious medical problem and should be checked by a doctor.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS: See also Warning section. Dizziness, drowsiness, headache, upset stomach, nausea, constipation, nervousness, or trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. To reduce dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. To prevent constipation, maintain a diet adequate in fiber, drink plenty of water, and exercise. If you become constipated while using this drug, consult your pharmacist for help in selecting a laxative (e.g., stimulant-type with stool softener). Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: mental/mood changes (e.g., hallucinations), shaking (tremors), trouble urinating, weakness, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat. Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: seizures. This product may cause serious mental/mood changes and very serious (rarely fatal) breathing problems. This product may contain codeine or dihydrocodeine. Codeine and dihydrocodeine are changed into strong opioid drugs (morphine or dihydromorphine) in your body. In some people this happens faster and more completely than usual, which increases the risk of very serious side effects. Get medical help right away if you notice any of the following: slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/difficulty waking up, confusion. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

PRECAUTIONS: Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any of its ingredients; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: abdominal problems (e.g., chronic constipation, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis), adrenal gland problems (e.g., Addison's disease), blood vessel problems (e.g., Raynaud's disease, low blood flow to the brain/legs/hands), brain disorders (e.g., head injury, tumor, increased pressure in the brain), breathing problems (e.g., asthma, emphysema, sleep apnea), diabetes, glaucoma, heart problems, high blood pressure, kidney problems, liver disease, mental/mood problems (e.g., depression, psychosis), obesity, a certain spinal problem (kyphoscoliosis), recent surgery, thyroid problems, trouble urinating (e.g., due to enlarged prostate), personal or family history of a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana. Some brands may contain sugar, alcohol, or aspartame. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence, liver disease, phenylketonuria (PKU), or any other condition that requires you to limit/avoid these substances in your diet. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, slow/shallow breathing, fast/irregular heartbeat, problems urinating, or trouble sleeping. Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the risks and benefits. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may slightly increase the risk of birth defects if used during the first two months of pregnancy. Also, using it for a long time or in high doses near the expected delivery date may harm the unborn baby. To lessen the risk, take the smallest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Tell the doctor right away if you notice any symptoms in your newborn baby such as slow/shallow breathing, irritability, abnormal/persistent crying, vomiting, or diarrhea. This product may pass into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Products that contain codeine or dihydrocodeine may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant, such as unusual sleepiness, difficulty feeding, trouble breathing, or unusual limpness. If your product contains codeine or dihydrocodeine, breast-feeding while using this product is not recommended.

Interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS: See also Warning section. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: drugs for high blood pressure (e.g., methyldopa, beta blockers such as metoprolol and atenolol), cimetidine, naltrexone. The ingredients in this product are available in many prescription and nonprescription products. Check the labels on all your medications carefully to make sure you are not taking more than one product with the same ingredient(s). Consult your pharmacist if you are unsure of the ingredients in any of your medications. Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this medication. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication. The risk of serious side effects (such as slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness) may be increased if this medication is taken with other products that may also cause drowsiness or breathing problems. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products such as other opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana, drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine). Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely. Some products have ingredients that could raise your heart rate or blood pressure. Tell your pharmacist what products you are using, and ask how to use them safely (especially cough-and-cold products or diet aids). Other medications can affect the removal of this product from your body, which may affect how this product works. Examples include azole antifungals (such as ketoconazole), bupropion, fluoxetine, macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), HIV medications (such as ritonavir), paroxetine, quinidine, rifamycins (such as rifabutin, rifampin), certain drugs used to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin), among others. This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including amylase/lipase levels), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Overdose

OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: confusion, cold/clammy skin, fainting, fast/irregular heartbeat, slow/shallow breathing, seizures, coma.

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Faq for DECONGESTANT/OPIOID ANTITUSSIVE - ORAL

A decongestant/opioid antitussive is a medication that combines a decongestant, which helps relieve nasal congestion, with an opioid antitussive, which helps suppress coughing. The decongestant works by constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages, reducing inflammation and congestion. The opioid antitussive, on the other hand, works by acting on the cough center in the brain to decrease coughing.

You should take a decongestant/opioid antitussive when you are experiencing both nasal congestion and a persistent cough. This medication is commonly used to relieve symptoms associated with conditions such as the common cold, allergies, and respiratory infections.

It is best to consult with your healthcare provider if you have high blood pressure before taking a decongestant/opioid antitussive. Decongestants can increase blood pressure in some individuals, so your doctor can help determine if this medication is safe for you or if an alternative option should be considered.

Common side effects of a decongestant/opioid antitussive may include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, dry mouth, headache, and constipation. These side effects are usually mild and temporary, but if they persist or worsen, you should contact your healthcare provider.

It is important to inform your healthcare provider or pharmacist about all medications you are currently taking, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, before you start taking a decongestant/opioid antitussive. Certain medications, such as MAO inhibitors, sedatives, and tranquilizers, can interact with this medication and cause potentially serious side effects.

You should only take a decongestant/opioid antitussive for the duration recommended by your healthcare provider or as instructed on the medication label. Prolonged use or exceeding the recommended dosage can lead to dependence, tolerance, and potential withdrawal symptoms.

DECONGESTANT/OPIOID ANTITUSSIVE - ORAL Pricing Page Get Discount Coupon

Warning

WARNING: Taking this product with other medications that may also cause drowsiness or breathing problems may increase your risk of very serious side effects, including death. To lower your risk, your doctor should have you take the smallest dose of this product that works, and take it for the shortest possible time. See also Drug Interactions section. Get medical help right away if any of these very serious side effects occur: slow/shallow breathing, unusual lightheadedness, severe drowsiness/dizziness, difficulty waking up.


Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.