Coricidin

Generic Name: acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine (a SEET a MIN oh fen and KLOR fen IR a meen)
Brand Names: Coricidin, Coricidin HBP Cold & Flu

What is Coricidin?

Coricidin contains a combination of acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer. Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

Coricidin is used to treat runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and pain or fever caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

Coricidin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Coricidin

Do not take Coricidin without a doctor's advice if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis) or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day. You may not be able to take medicine that contains acetaminophen. Do not take more Coricidin than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as APAP) is contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much acetaminophen which can lead to a fatal overdose. Check the label to see if a medicine contains acetaminophen or APAP.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while taking acetaminophen. Do not give Coricidin to a child younger than 4 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.

Before taking Coricidin

Do not take Coricidin if you are allergic to acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, or any antihistamine. Do not take Coricidin without a doctor's advice if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis) or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day. You may not be able to take medicine that contains acetaminophen.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using Coricidin if you have:

• liver disease;

• glaucoma;

• kidney disease;

• an enlarged prostate;

• problems with urination; or

• a history of alcoholism.

It is not known whether Coricidin will harm an unborn baby. Before taking Coricidin, tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Coricidin without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Coricidin?

Use Coricidin exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death.

One Coricidin tablet contains 325 mg of acetaminophen. Know the amount of acetaminophen in the specific product you are taking.

Do not give Coricidin to a child younger than 4 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children. Take with food or milk if this medicine upsets your stomach.

Coricidin can cause unusual results with allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking an antihistamine.

Store Coricidin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

The first signs of an acetaminophen overdose include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, sweating, and confusion or weakness. Later symptoms may include pain in your upper stomach, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

What should I avoid while taking Coricidin?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as APAP) is contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much acetaminophen which can lead to a fatal overdose. Check the label to see if a medicine contains acetaminophen or APAP. Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while taking acetaminophen. Coricidin may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

See also: Coricidin and alcohol (in more detail)

Coricidin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Coricidin: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Coricidin and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• black, bloody, or tarry stools;

• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;

• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;

• severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness;

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or

• nausea, pain in your upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious Coricidin side effects may include:

• dryness of the eyes, nose, and mouth;

• blurred vision;

• difficulty urinating;

• dizziness, drowsiness;

• problems with memory or concentration;

• ringing in your ears;

• feeling restless or excited (especially in children); or

• mild nausea, stomach pain, constipation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Coricidin side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Coricidin?

Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by chlorpheniramine. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines.

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

• isoniazid;

• zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT);

• an antidepressant;

• a diuretic (water pill);

• probenecid (Benemid);

• medication to treat irritable bowel syndrome;

• bladder or urinary medications such as oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol) or tolterodine (Detrol);

• aspirin or salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doan's Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others); or

• seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Coricidin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Coricidin.