EQ Effervescent Cold Relief

Generic name: Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine, and Aspirin [ KLOR-fen-IR-a-meen, FEN-il-EF-rin-& AS-pir-in ]
Brand names: Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold, EQ Effervescent Cold Relief

Uses of EQ Effervescent Cold Relief:

• It is used to treat nose stuffiness.
• It is used to ease allergy signs.
• It is used to ease pain and fever.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take EQ Effervescent Cold Relief?

For all patients taking EQ Effervescent Cold Relief (chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and aspirin):

• If you are allergic to EQ Effervescent Cold Relief (chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and aspirin); any part of EQ Effervescent Cold Relief (chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and aspirin); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have any of these health problems: Asthma, bleeding problems, nose polyps, or nose irritation.
• If you have high blood pressure.
• If you have taken certain drugs for depression or Parkinson's disease in the last 14 days. This includes isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline, or rasagiline. Very high blood pressure may happen.
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Linezolid or methylene blue.
• If you are taking another drug that has the same drug in it.
• If you have a stomach or bowel ulcer.
• If you are taking any other NSAID.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Do not take EQ Effervescent Cold Relief (chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and aspirin) if you are in the third trimester of pregnancy. You may also need to avoid EQ Effervescent Cold Relief (chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and aspirin) at other times during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor to see when you need to avoid taking EQ Effervescent Cold Relief (chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and aspirin) during pregnancy.

Children:

• If your child is younger than 12 years of age. Do not give EQ Effervescent Cold Relief (chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and aspirin) to a child younger than 12 years of age.
• If your child has or is getting better from flu signs, chickenpox, or other viral infections.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with EQ Effervescent Cold Relief (chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and aspirin).

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take EQ Effervescent Cold Relief (chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and aspirin) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take EQ Effervescent Cold Relief?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take EQ Effervescent Cold Relief (chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and aspirin). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Do not take more than what your doctor told you to take. Taking more than you are told may raise your chance of very bad side effects.
• Do not take EQ Effervescent Cold Relief (chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and aspirin) for longer than you were told by your doctor.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how EQ Effervescent Cold Relief (chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and aspirin) affects you.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking EQ Effervescent Cold Relief (chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and aspirin).
• Talk with your doctor before you use other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
• This medicine may raise the chance of severe and sometimes deadly stomach or bowel problems like ulcers or bleeding. The risk is greater in older people, and in people who have had stomach or bowel ulcers or bleeding before. These problems may occur without warning signs.
• You may bleed more easily. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
• If you are taking aspirin to help prevent a heart attack, talk with your doctor.
• If you are on a low-salt or salt-free diet, talk with your doctor.
• If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), talk with your doctor. Some products have phenylalanine.
• If you are 60 or older, use EQ Effervescent Cold Relief (chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and aspirin) with care. You could have more side effects.
• Use with care in children. Talk with the doctor.
• Do not use to make a child sleepy. Talk with the doctor.
• Do not give to children and teenagers who have or are getting better from flu signs, chickenpox, or other viral infections due to the chance of Reye's syndrome. Reye's syndrome causes very bad problems to the brain and liver.
• This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using EQ Effervescent Cold Relief (chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and aspirin) while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

How is this medicine (EQ Effervescent Cold Relief) best taken?

Use EQ Effervescent Cold Relief (chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and aspirin) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• Dissolve in 1/2 cup (4 ounces/120 mL) of water. Drink after the tablets have dissolved all the way.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• If you take EQ Effervescent Cold Relief (chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and aspirin) on a regular basis, take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
• Many times EQ Effervescent Cold Relief (chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and aspirin) is taken on an as needed basis. Do not take more often than told by the doctor.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

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.
• Signs of bleeding like throwing up or coughing up blood; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; blood in the urine; black, red, or tarry stools; bleeding from the gums; abnormal vaginal bleeding; bruises without a cause or that get bigger; or bleeding you cannot stop.
• Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
• Feeling confused.
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.
• Very bad headache.
• Ringing in ears.
• Hearing loss.
• Very bad belly pain.

What are some other side effects of EQ Effervescent Cold Relief?

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.
• Stomach pain or heartburn.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.

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.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out EQ Effervescent Cold Relief?

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from heat.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about EQ Effervescent Cold Relief (chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and aspirin), please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Further information

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

Medical Disclaimer