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Doxylamine and pseudoephedrine

Generic name: doxylamine and pseudoephedrine [ dox-IL-a-meen, SOO-doe-ee-FED-rin ]
Brand name: Lortuss LQ
Drug class: Upper respiratory combinations

What is doxylamine and pseudoephedrine?

Doxylamine 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.

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

Doxylamine and pseudoephedrine is a combination medicine used to treat runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and sinus congestion caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

Doxylamine and pseudoephedrine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important Information

Do not use doxylamine and pseudoephedrine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

You should not use antihistamine medication to make a child sleepy.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to doxylamine or pseudoephedrine.

Do not use doxylamine and pseudoephedrine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medication if you have:

It is not known whether doxylamine and pseudoephedrine will harm an unborn baby. Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant.

Doxylamine and pseudoephedrine may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Antihistamines may also slow breast milk production. Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are breast-feeding.

Artificially sweetened cold medicine may contain phenylalanine. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), check the medication label to see if the product contains phenylalanine.

How should I take doxylamine and pseudoephedrine?

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. doxylamine and pseudoephedrine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

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.

Do not give this medication 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.

You should not use antihistamine medication to make a child sleepy.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.

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 the liquid form of this medicine to freeze.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since this medicine is taken when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, 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.

What should I avoid while taking doxylamine and pseudoephedrine?

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

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of doxylamine.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, cough, allergy, or sleep medicine. Many combination medicines contain doxylamine or pseudoephedrine. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of this medicine. Check the label to see if a medicine contains an antihistamine or decongestant.

Doxylamine and pseudoephedrine 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.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

Common side effects may include:

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.

Doxylamine and pseudoephedrine dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Cough and Nasal Congestion:

Doxylamine-pseudoephedrine 6.25 mg-30 mg/5 mL oral liquid:
10 mL every 6 hours not to exceed 4 doses daily.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Cough and Nasal Congestion:

Doxylamine-pseudoephedrine 6.25 mg-30 mg/5 mL oral liquid:
6 to 11 years: 5 mL every 6 hours not to exceed 4 doses daily.
12 years or older: 10 mL every 6 hours not to exceed 4 doses daily.

What other drugs will affect doxylamine and pseudoephedrine?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using doxylamine and pseudoephedrine 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 doxylamine and pseudoephedrine 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.