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Advil Allergy Sinus

Generic name: chlorpheniramine, ibuprofen, and pseudoephedrineKLOR-fen-EER-a-meen, EYE-bue-pro-fen, SOO-doe-ee-FED-rin ]
Drug class: Upper respiratory combinations

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Aug 7, 2023.

What is Advil Allergy Sinus?

Advil Allergy Sinus contains a combination of chlorpheniramine, ibuprofen, and pseudoephedrine.

Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant.

Advil Allergy Sinus is used to treat sneezing, itching, watery eyes, runny nose, stuffy nose, sinus congestion, headache, and pain or fever caused by allergies or the common cold.

Warnings

Do not give Advil Allergy Sinus to a child younger than 12 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.

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

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.

Ibuprofen belongs to a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ibuprofen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

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

Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, such as chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.

Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This includes worsening stomach pain, black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

You should not use Advil Allergy Sinus if you are allergic to ibuprofen, chlorpheniramine or pseudoephedrine, or if you have a stomach ulcer or active bleeding in your stomach or intestines, polyps in your nose, or a history of allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs.

Before taking this medicine

Ibuprofen can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, even if you don't have any risk factors. Do not use Advil Allergy Sinus just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Ibuprofen may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using this medicine, especially in older adults.

You should not use Advil Allergy Sinus if you are allergic to chlorpheniramine, ibuprofen, or pseudoephedrine, or if you have ever had an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID.

Do not use Advil Allergy Sinus 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 Advil Allergy Sinus is safe to use if you have ever had:

If you are pregnant, you should not take Advil Allergy Sinus unless your doctor tells you to. Taking an NSAID during the last 20 weeks of pregnancy can cause serious heart or kidney problems in the unborn baby and possible complications with your pregnancy.

Ask a doctor before using Advil Allergy Sinus if you are breastfeeding.

How should I take this medicine?

Use Advil Allergy Sinus exactly as directed on the label, Cold or cough medicine is only for short-term use until your symptoms clear up.

Always follow directions on the medicine label about giving cough or cold medicine to a child. Do not use the medicine only to make a child sleepy. Death can occur from the misuse of cough or cold medicines in very young children.

Carefully follow the dosing instructions for the age and weight of your child. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.

Take Advil Allergy Sinus with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Do not take Advil Allergy Sinus for longer than 10 days without your doctor's advice.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time if you have taken Advil Allergy Sinus in the past few days.

Call your doctor if you have any new symptoms, or if you have a fever lasting longer than 3 days, stuffy nose lasting longer than 7 days, or any redness or swelling.

Chlorpheniramine can affect the results of allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Store Advil Allergy Sinus at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since Advil Allergy Sinus is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. Skip any missed dose if it's almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

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 this medicine?

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how Advil Allergy Sinus will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using other medicines for pain, fever, swelling, or cold/flu symptoms. They may contain ingredients similar to ibuprofen (such as aspirin, ketoprofen, or naproxen).

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Advil Allergy Sinus (sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, hives, wheezing or trouble breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke: chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, leg swelling, feeling short of breath.

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

Common Advil Allergy Sinus 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.

What other drugs will affect this medicine?

Ask your doctor before using ibuprofen if you take an antidepressant such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone. Taking any of these medicines with an NSAID may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using Advil Allergy Sinus with any other medications, especially:

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with chlorpheniramine, ibuprofen, and pseudoephedrine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

prednisone, fluticasone nasal, cetirizine, loratadine, diphenhydramine, promethazine, Benadryl, Zyrtec, chlorpheniramine, Promethazine DM

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Further information

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

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