Tricode AR Side Effects

Generic name: chlorpheniramine / codeine / pseudoephedrine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 8, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about chlorpheniramine / codeine / pseudoephedrine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Tricode AR.

Applies to chlorpheniramine / codeine / pseudoephedrine: oral liquid.

Serious side effects of Tricode AR

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.
• Chest pain or pressure or a fast heartbeat.
• Trouble breathing, slow breathing, or shallow breathing.
• Noisy breathing.
• Feeling very sleepy.
• Feeling confused.
• A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
• Mood changes.
• Seizures.
• Very bad belly pain.
• Very bad headache.
• Trouble passing urine.
• Shakiness.
• Change in eyesight.
• Very upset stomach or throwing up.
• Very bad constipation.
• Feeling very tired or weak.

Other side effects of Tricode AR

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Dizziness.
• Feeling nervous and excitable.
• Not able to sleep.
• Feeling sleepy.
• Constipation.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Sweating a lot.
• Feeling tired or weak.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to chlorpheniramine/codeine/pseudoephedrine: oral elixir, oral liquid.

General

The more commonly expected adverse effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, blurred vision, confusion, dizziness, and headache.^[Ref]

Respiratory

Respiratory depression has been associated with antitussive use of codeine in young children. Respiratory depression and death have occurred in children who received codeine in the postoperative period following tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. Further investigation has shown these patients to be ultra-rapid metabolizers of codeine. Children with obstructive sleep apnea who are treated with codeine appear to be particularly sensitive to the respiratory depressant effects of codeine.^[Ref]

Codeine:

Frequency not reported: Respiratory depression, dryness of the pharynx and respiratory passages, laryngismus, atelectasis, wheezing, troubled breathing, hiccups^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Hypotension is rare and has been reported most frequently with high doses of codeine.

Pseudoephedrine causes vasoconstriction which generally does not produce hypertension, but may be problematic for patients with preexisting hypertension. Arrhythmias may be produced in predisposed patients. Rarely, pseudoephedrine has been reported to cause coronary artery spasm and chest pain.^[Ref]

Codeine or Chlorpheniramine:

Frequency not reported: Fast, or slow heartbeat, hypertension, hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, palpitations, shock-like state, syncope

Pseudoephedrine:

Frequency not reported: Tachycardia, palpitations, cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, impaired circulation to the extremities, coronary artery spasm, chest pain^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Codeine or Chlorpheniramine:

Frequency not reported: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, acute pancreatitis, dry mouth, dyspepsia, epigastric distress, diarrhea, gastro-esophageal reflux, gastrointestinal hypomotility

Pseudoephedrine:

Frequency not reported: Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Codeine:

Frequency not reported: Drug dependence, confusion, depression, euphoria, false sense of well-being, excitability, nervousness, agitation, restlessness, insomnia, irritability

Pseudoephedrine:

Frequency not reported: Hallucinations (particularly in children), anxiety, excitability, insomnia^[Ref]

Nervous system

Nearly all patients treated with chlorpheniramine experience drowsiness. This drowsiness may subside in some patients with extended use. Patients should be warned against driving, as well as concomitant ingestion of alcohol and other sedative-hypnotic drugs, while taking chlorpheniramine.

Few cases of dyskinesias and tremors, often of the face, have been reported in patients whose chronic use of chlorpheniramine extended over a period of 3 to 10 years. Some of these cases were only partially relieved by discontinuation of the drug.^[Ref]

Codeine or Chlorpheniramine:

Frequency not reported: Weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, sedation, headache, facial dyskinesia, lightheadedness, somnolence, dyskinesia, tremor

Pseudoephedrine:

Frequency not reported: Restlessness, dizziness, weakness, headache, drowsiness, tremor^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Codeine or Chlorpheniramine:

Frequency not reported: Ureteral spasm, urinary retention, dysuria, urinary frequency, urinary hesitancy, irritative bladder symptom

Pseudoephedrine:

Frequency not reported: Urinary retention^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Codeine or Chlorpheniramine:

Frequency not reported: Allergic laryngospasm, nasal stuffiness, bronchospastic allergic reaction, hives, itching, swelling of face^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Codeine or Chlorpheniramine:

Frequency not reported: Redness or flushing of face, skin rash, pruritus, erythema, urticaria, excessive perspiration, dermatitis

Pseudoephedrine:

Frequency not reported: Fixed drug eruption in the form of erythematous nodular patches, rash^[Ref]

Endocrine

Codeine or Chlorpheniramine:

Frequency not reported: Decreased lactation, early menses, gynecomastia, increased libido, pheochromocytoma stimulation^[Ref]

Metabolic

Codeine or Chlorpheniramine:

Frequency not reported: Changes in glucose utilization, glycosuria, hypoglycemia, increased appetite, loss of appetite^[Ref]

Ocular

Codeine or Chlorpheniramine:

Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, diplopia, visual disturbances, hypermetropia, lacrimation increased, mydriasis, photophobia

Pseudoephedrine:

Frequency not reported: Angle-closure glaucoma^[Ref]

Other

Codeine or Chlorpheniramine:

Frequency not reported: Asthenia, feeling of relaxation, unusual tiredness, labyrinthitis, tinnitus, vertigo^[Ref]

Further information

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

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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