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Can you take Benzocaine / cetylpyridinium topical with Chlorpheniramine (Allergy)?

No drug interactions found, but 13 warnings to review for the following 2 drugs:

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Drug interactions

There were no interactions found between benzocaine / cetylpyridinium topical and Chlorpheniramine (Allergy). However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate:

chlorpheniramine Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: Chlorpheniramine (Allergy) (chlorpheniramine)

Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of chlorpheniramine such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with chlorpheniramine. Do not use more than the recommended dose of chlorpheniramine, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

Disease interactions

12 potential interactions Applies to: 12 conditions, including Asthma, COPD, Hypotension, Hyperthyroidism, and Urinary Retention.

Asthma

Moderate:

Chlorpheniramine (Allergy)

The chlorpheniramine in Chlorpheniramine (Allergy) has a moderate potential interaction with Asthma.

It has been suggested that the anticholinergic effect of antihistamines may reduce the volume and cause thickening of bronchial secretions, resulting in obstruction of respiratory tract. Some manufacturers and clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders

Moderate:

Chlorpheniramine (Allergy)

The chlorpheniramine in Chlorpheniramine (Allergy) has a moderate potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.

Antihistamines may infrequently cause cardiovascular adverse effects related to their anticholinergic and local anesthetic (quinidine-like) activities. Tachycardia, palpitation, ECG changes, arrhythmias, hypotension, and hypertension have been reported. Although these effects are uncommon and usually limited to overdosage situations, the manufacturers and some clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and/or hyperthyroidism.

COPD

Moderate:

Chlorpheniramine (Allergy)

The chlorpheniramine in Chlorpheniramine (Allergy) has a moderate potential interaction with COPD.

It has been suggested that the anticholinergic effect of antihistamines may reduce the volume and cause thickening of bronchial secretions, resulting in obstruction of respiratory tract. Some manufacturers and clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

G-6-PD Deficiency

Moderate:

benzocaine / cetylpyridinium topical

The benzocaine topical in benzocaine / cetylpyridinium topical has a moderate potential interaction with G-6-PD Deficiency.

Rarely, benzocaine has induced methemoglobinemia resulting in respiratory distress and cyanosis. Therapy with benzocaine should be administered cautiously to patients with or predisposed to methemoglobinemia. If life-threatening or severe methemoglobinemia develops, methylene blue infused at a dosage of 1 to 2 mg/kg body weight will rapidly reverse or improve the condition except in G-6-PD-deficient patients.

Gastrointestinal Obstruction

Moderate:

Chlorpheniramine (Allergy)

The chlorpheniramine in Chlorpheniramine (Allergy) has a moderate potential interaction with Gastrointestinal Obstruction.

Antihistamines often have anticholinergic activity, to which elderly patients are particularly sensitive. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously, if at all, in patients with preexisting conditions that are likely to be exacerbated by anticholinergic activity, such as urinary retention or obstruction; angle-closure glaucoma, untreated intraocular hypertension, or uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma; and gastrointestinal obstructive disorders. Conventional, first-generation antihistamines such as the ethanolamines (bromodiphenhydramine, carbinoxamine, clemastine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, phenyltoloxamine) tend to exhibit substantial anticholinergic effects. In contrast, the newer, relatively nonsedating antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, fexofenadine, loratadine) reportedly have low to minimal anticholinergic activity at normally recommended dosages and may be appropriate alternatives.

Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension

Moderate:

Chlorpheniramine (Allergy)

The chlorpheniramine in Chlorpheniramine (Allergy) has a moderate potential interaction with Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension.

Antihistamines often have anticholinergic activity, to which elderly patients are particularly sensitive. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously, if at all, in patients with preexisting conditions that are likely to be exacerbated by anticholinergic activity, such as urinary retention or obstruction; angle-closure glaucoma, untreated intraocular hypertension, or uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma; and gastrointestinal obstructive disorders. Conventional, first-generation antihistamines such as the ethanolamines (bromodiphenhydramine, carbinoxamine, clemastine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, phenyltoloxamine) tend to exhibit substantial anticholinergic effects. In contrast, the newer, relatively nonsedating antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, fexofenadine, loratadine) reportedly have low to minimal anticholinergic activity at normally recommended dosages and may be appropriate alternatives.

Hyperthyroidism

Moderate:

Chlorpheniramine (Allergy)

The chlorpheniramine in Chlorpheniramine (Allergy) has a moderate potential interaction with Hyperthyroidism.

Antihistamines may infrequently cause cardiovascular adverse effects related to their anticholinergic and local anesthetic (quinidine-like) activities. Tachycardia, palpitation, ECG changes, arrhythmias, hypotension, and hypertension have been reported. Although these effects are uncommon and usually limited to overdosage situations, the manufacturers and some clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and/or hyperthyroidism.

Hypotension

Moderate:

Chlorpheniramine (Allergy)

The chlorpheniramine in Chlorpheniramine (Allergy) has a moderate potential interaction with Hypotension.

Antihistamines may infrequently cause cardiovascular adverse effects related to their anticholinergic and local anesthetic (quinidine-like) activities. Tachycardia, palpitation, ECG changes, arrhythmias, hypotension, and hypertension have been reported. Although these effects are uncommon and usually limited to overdosage situations, the manufacturers and some clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and/or hyperthyroidism.

Liver Disease

Moderate:

Chlorpheniramine (Allergy)

The chlorpheniramine in Chlorpheniramine (Allergy) has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Limited pharmacokinetic data are available for the older, first-generation antihistamines. Many appear to be primarily metabolized by the liver, and both parent drugs and metabolites are excreted in the urine. Patients with renal and/or liver disease may be at greater risk for adverse effects from antihistamines due to drug and metabolite accumulation. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously in such patients. Lower initial dosages may be appropriate.

Methemoglobinemia

Moderate:

benzocaine / cetylpyridinium topical

The benzocaine topical in benzocaine / cetylpyridinium topical has a moderate potential interaction with Methemoglobinemia.

Rarely, benzocaine has induced methemoglobinemia resulting in respiratory distress and cyanosis. Therapy with benzocaine should be administered cautiously to patients with or predisposed to methemoglobinemia. If life-threatening or severe methemoglobinemia develops, methylene blue infused at a dosage of 1 to 2 mg/kg body weight will rapidly reverse or improve the condition except in G-6-PD-deficient patients.

Renal Dysfunction

Moderate:

Chlorpheniramine (Allergy)

The chlorpheniramine in Chlorpheniramine (Allergy) has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Limited pharmacokinetic data are available for the older, first-generation antihistamines. Many appear to be primarily metabolized by the liver, and both parent drugs and metabolites are excreted in the urine. Patients with renal and/or liver disease may be at greater risk for adverse effects from antihistamines due to drug and metabolite accumulation. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously in such patients. Lower initial dosages may be appropriate.

Urinary Retention

Moderate:

Chlorpheniramine (Allergy)

The chlorpheniramine in Chlorpheniramine (Allergy) has a moderate potential interaction with Urinary Retention.

Antihistamines often have anticholinergic activity, to which elderly patients are particularly sensitive. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously, if at all, in patients with preexisting conditions that are likely to be exacerbated by anticholinergic activity, such as urinary retention or obstruction; angle-closure glaucoma, untreated intraocular hypertension, or uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma; and gastrointestinal obstructive disorders. Conventional, first-generation antihistamines such as the ethanolamines (bromodiphenhydramine, carbinoxamine, clemastine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, phenyltoloxamine) tend to exhibit substantial anticholinergic effects. In contrast, the newer, relatively nonsedating antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, fexofenadine, loratadine) reportedly have low to minimal anticholinergic activity at normally recommended dosages and may be appropriate alternatives.

More resources

benzocaine / cetylpyridinium topical

A total of 59 drugs are known to interact with benzocaine / cetylpyridinium topical.

Chlorpheniramine (Allergy)

A total of 358 drugs are known to interact with Chlorpheniramine (Allergy).

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

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