Chlorpheniramine treats allergies, hay fever, and the common cold by easing symptoms such as runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, itchy throat, and red eyes. Chlorpheniramine aids in the management of cold and allergy symptoms, but it does not address the underlying source of the symptoms or hasten recovery. Chlorpheniramine belongs to the antihistamine drug class. It functions by preventing the body’s natural histamine from producing the symptoms of allergies.

The oral medication chlorpheniramine is available as a tablet, a capsule, an extended-release (long-acting) tablet and capsule, a chewable tablet, and a liquid. It is typical to take the standard capsules and tablets, chewable pills, and liquid as needed every 4 to 6 hours. As needed, the extended-release (long-acting) tablets and capsules are typically taken twice daily in the morning and evening. Ask your doctor or chemist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you do not understand, and carefully follow their instructions. Use chlorpheniramine as prescribed by your doctor. Never take it in quantities or frequencies other than those recommended by your doctor.

Chlorpheniramine is available both by itself and in conjunction with decongestants, expectorants, cough suppressants, and medications that lower temperature and pain. Find out which product is best for your symptoms by seeing your doctor or chemist. When using two or more non-prescription cough and cold medications simultaneously, carefully read the labelling. If you take these products together, you can experience an overdose because they might both contain the same active ingredient. This is crucial if you plan to give children cough and cold drugs.

Cough and cold remedies sold over-the-counter, notably those containing chlorpheniramine, can have fatal side effects in young children. Provide these goods to kids who are under the age of four not at all. If you provide these goods to kids between the ages of 4 and 11, use caution and pay close attention to the instructions on the container.

Be sure the product is appropriate for a child of that age by carefully reading the package label before feeding a child chlorpheniramine or a combination product that contains the drug. Products containing chlorpheniramine intended for adults should not be given to children.

Check the package label before giving a child a chlorpheniramine product to determine how much of the medication the youngster needs to take. Use the dose on the chart that corresponds to the child’s age. If you are unsure about how much medication to give the child, consult their doctor.

Do not measure your dose if you are consuming the drink with a regular spoon. Use a spoon designed specifically for measuring medication, the measuring cup that came with it, or both.

Take the extended-release pills or capsules whole if you’re using them. Do not eat them, break them, or crush them.

Ask your doctor or chemist for more details if you’re interested in using this medication for any other conditions.

Before taking chlorpheniramine,

• If you have any allergies, including to any of the substances in the chlorpheniramine product you intend to use, notify your doctor and chemist right away. A list of the ingredients can be found on the package label.
• Inform your doctor and chemist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Incorporate any of the following: additional anti-cold, anti-hay fever, or anti-allergy drugs; muscle relaxants, narcotic painkillers, sedatives, sleeping pills, tranquillizers, and drugs for anxiety, depression, or seizures.
• Inform your doctor if you have or have previously had any lung conditions, such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis; ulcers, diabetes, and glaucoma (a disorder in which increasing eye pressure can cause a slow loss of eyesight); heart disease, high blood pressure, seizures, inability to urinate owing to an enlarged prostate gland, or an overactive thyroid gland.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking chlorpheniramine.
• You should let your doctor or dentist know if you are taking chlorpheniramine if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.
• You should be aware that this medicine may cause you to feel sleepy. Prior to understanding how this drug affects you, avoid using machinery or driving a car.
• Inquire with your doctor if drinking is safe while taking chlorpheniramine. The negative effects of chlorpheniramine can be exacerbated by alcohol.
• If you are 65 years of age or older, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of taking chlorpheniramine with your doctor. Since chlorpheniramine is less safe and less successful than alternative drugs that can be used to treat the same illness, older persons should often avoid taking it.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

Typically, chlorpheniramine is consumed as needed. If you regularly take chlorpheniramine as prescribed by your doctor, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Side effects from chlorpheniramine are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Drowsiness
• Throat, nose, and mouth are dry
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Reduced appetite
• Constipation
• Headache
• Increasing chest discomfort

Some adverse effects may be severe. Make a quick call to your doctor if you encounter any of the following signs:

• Vision issues
• Having trouble urinating

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your chemist or the garbage/recycling agency in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Ask any inquiries you may have regarding chlorpheniramine to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.