Acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and dextromethorphan

Generic name: acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and dextromethorphan [ a-SEET-a-MIN-oh-fen, klor-fen-IR-a-meen, dex-troe-meth-OR-fan ]
Brand names: Children's Tylenol Cold + Cough + Runny Nose, NyQuil Cold and Flu (Alcohol Free), Triaminic Flu Cough and Fever, Tylenol Childrens Plus Cough and Runny Nose, Children's Tylenol Cold + Cough + Runny Nose, ... show all 13 brands Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Flu, NyQuil Cold and Flu (Alcohol Free), Triaminic Flu Cough and Fever, Triaminic Multi-Symptom Fever, Tylenol Childrens Plus Cough and Runny Nose, Coricidin II Extra Strength Cold and Flu, Mapap Cough and Sinus Formula, TheraFlu Flu Relief Nighttime
Dosage forms: oral liquid (160 mg-1 mg-7.5 mg/5 mL; 650 mg-4 mg-30 mg/30 mL), oral suspension (160 mg-1 mg-5 mg/5 mL)
Drug class: Upper respiratory combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Aug 7, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and dextromethorphan?

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer.

Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the cough reflex in the brain that triggers coughing.

Acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and dextromethorphan is a combination medicine used to treat headache, fever, body aches, cough, runny nose, sneezing, itching, and watery eyes caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and dextromethorphan will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

Acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and dextromethorphan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Side Effects

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

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal. This could occur even if you have taken acetaminophen in the past and had no reaction. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling. If you have this type of reaction, you should never again take any medicine that contains acetaminophen.

The medicine may cause serious side effects. Stop using the medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe headache, seizure (convulsions);

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;

• confusion, hallucinations, severe dizziness or drowsiness, slow or shallow breathing;

• tremor, restless muscle movements;

• little or no urination;

• flu symptoms, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, weakness, feeling light-headed; or

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

Side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, and confusion may be more likely in older adults.

Common side effects of acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and dextromethorphan may include:

• headache, sleep problems (insomnia);

• upset stomach, diarrhea or constipation;

• dry eyes, blurred vision, dry mouth or nose;

• mild dizziness or drowsiness, trouble concentrating;

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

• mild skin rash.

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.

Related/similar drugs

diphenhydramine, Benadryl, Tamiflu, oseltamivir, chlorpheniramine, amantadine, Promethazine DM

Warnings

Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death. Call your doctor at once if you have nausea, pain in your upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

Before taking this medicine

Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol), chlorpheniramine, or dextromethorphan.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you have any medical condition, especially:

• asthma or COPD, cough with mucus, or cough caused by smoking, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis;

• a blockage in your stomach or intestines;

• liver disease, cirrhosis, a history of alcoholism, or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day;

• kidney disease;

• an enlarged prostate, problems with urination;

• glaucoma; or

• if you take potassium (Cytra, Epiklor, K-Lyte, K-Phos, Kaon, Klor-Con, Polycitra, Urocit-K).

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not use cough and cold medicine without a doctor's advice if you are pregnant.

This medicine may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Antihistamines may also slow breast milk production. Do not use cough and cold medicine without a doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Artificially sweetened liquid medicine may contain phenylalanine. Check the medication label if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

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.

How should I take acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and dextromethorphan?

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use for longer than recommended. Cough and cold medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death.

Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Stop taking the medicine and call your doctor if you still have a fever after 3 days, or you still have pain after 10 days (or 5 days if treating a child). Also call your doctor if your symptoms get worse, or if you have any redness or swelling.

If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon or doctor ahead of time if you have taken this medicine within the past few days.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow liquid medicine to freeze.

Acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and dextromethorphan dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Cold Symptoms:

Acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/dextromethorphan 500 mg-2 mg-15 mg tablets: 2 tablets orally every 6 hours, while symptoms persist, not to exceed 8 tablets in 24 hours, or as directed by a doctor.

Usual Adult Dose for Influenza:

Acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/dextromethorphan 500 mg-2 mg-15 mg tablets: 2 tablets orally every 6 hours, while symptoms persist, not to exceed 8 tablets in 24 hours, or as directed by a doctor.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Cold Symptoms:

Acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/dextromethorphan 160 mg-1 mg-5 mg/5 mL oral suspension:
Greater than or equal to 6 years to less than 12 years: 10 mL orally every 4 hours not to exceed 5 doses daily.

Acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/dextromethorphan 160 mg-1 mg-7.5 mg/5 mL oral liquid:
Greater than or equal to 6 years to less than 12 years: 10 mL orally every 6 hours not to exceed 4 doses daily.

Acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/dextromethorphan 500 mg-2 mg-15 mg tablets:
Greater than or equal to 12 years: 2 tablets orally every 6 hours, while symptoms persist, not to exceed 8 tablets in 24 hours, or as directed by a doctor.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Influenza:

Acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/dextromethorphan 160 mg-1 mg-5 mg/5 mL oral suspension:
Greater than or equal to 6 years to less than 12 years: 10 mL orally every 4 hours not to exceed 5 doses daily.

Acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/dextromethorphan 160 mg-1 mg-7.5 mg/5 mL oral liquid:
Greater than or equal to 6 years to less than 12 years: 10 mL orally every 6 hours not to exceed 4 doses daily.

Acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/dextromethorphan 500 mg-2 mg-15 mg tablets:
Greater than or equal to 12 years: 2 tablets orally every 6 hours, while symptoms persist, not to exceed 8 tablets in 24 hours, or as directed by a doctor.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and dextromethorphan is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are on a schedule, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use 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. An overdose of acetaminophen can be fatal.

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 acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and dextromethorphan?

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 you are taking acetaminophen, and can increase certain side effects of chlorpheniramine.

This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

What other drugs will affect acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and dextromethorphan?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you are also using any other drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used together. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can worsen these effects. Ask your doctor before taking acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and dextromethorphan with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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