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Acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine

Generic name: acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine [ a-SEET-a-MIN-o-fen, fen-EER-a-meen, FEN-il-EFF-rin ]
Brand names: Flu and Severe Cold Night Time, Theraflu Flu and Sore Throat (Phenylephrine), Theraflu Sinus and Pain, Flu and Severe Cold Night Time, Theraflu Flu and Sore Throat (Phenylephrine), ... show all 9 brands
Dosage form: oral powder for reconstitution (650 mg-20 mg-10 mg)
Drug class: Upper respiratory combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Aug 2, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine?

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer.

Pheniramine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

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

Acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine is a combination medicine used to treat headache, runny nose, sneezing, stuffy nose, sinus congestion, watery eyes, and pain or fever caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

Acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal. This could occur even if you have taken acetaminophen in the past and had no reaction. Stop taking acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling. If you have this type of reaction, you should never again take any medicine that contains acetaminophen.

The medicine may cause serious side effects. Stop using the medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

Common side effects of acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine 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.

Warnings

Ask a doctor before taking medicine that contains acetaminophen if you have ever had liver disease, or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day.

Do not use cold or allergy medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death.

Before taking this medicine

Ask a doctor before taking medicine that contains acetaminophen if you have ever had liver disease, or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol) or chlorpheniramine, or if you have:

Do not use cold or allergy medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine if you have other medical conditions, especially:

It is not known whether acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine will harm an unborn baby. Do not use cold or allergy medicine without a doctor's advice if you are pregnant.

acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Antihistamines and decongestants may also slow breast milk production. Do not use cold or allergy without a doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Always ask a doctor before giving a cold or allergy medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.

How should I take acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine?

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use for longer than recommended. Cold or allergy medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death.

Dissolve the contents of one packet of medicine in 8 ounces of hot water. You may also mix the powder with 8 ounces of cool water and heat the mixture in a microwave oven. Stir the mixture thoroughly before and after heating it. Sip the mixture slowly, making sure you finish all of it within 10 to 15 minutes.

Do not take more than 6 packets of this medicine in one day (24 hours).

Call 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.

This medication can cause unusual results with allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking an antihistamine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Cold Symptoms:

Acetaminophen 325 mg/ pheniramine 20 mg/ phenylephrine 10 mg packets: 1 packet in water every 4 hours
Maximum dose: 3 packets per 24 hours

Acetaminophen 650 mg/ pheniramine 20 mg/ phenylephrine 10 mg packets: 1 packet in water every 4 hours
Maximum dose: 5 packets per 24 hours

Usual Pediatric Dose for Cold Symptoms:

Acetaminophen 325 mg/ pheniramine 20 mg/ phenylephrine 10 mg packets:
12 years and older: 1 packet in water every 4 hours
Maximum dose: 3 packets per 24 hours

Acetaminophen 650 mg/ pheniramine 20 mg/ phenylephrine 10 mg packets:
12 years and older: 1 packet in water every 4 hours
Maximum dose: 5 packets per 24 hours

diphenhydramine, Benadryl, chlorpheniramine, Promethazine DM, Banophen, echinacea

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are on a schedule, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use 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.

The first signs of an acetaminophen overdose include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, sweating, and confusion or weakness. Later symptoms may include pain in your upper stomach, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as APAP) is contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much acetaminophen which can lead to a fatal overdose. Check the label to see if a medicine contains acetaminophen or APAP.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while taking acetaminophen.

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

What other drugs will affect acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine 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 acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Does acetaminophen/pheniramine/phenylephrine interact with my other drugs?

Enter medications to view a detailed interaction report using our Drug Interaction Checker.

More about acetaminophen / pheniramine / phenylephrine

Patient resources

Other brands

Theraflu Flu & Sore Throat

Related treatment guides

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.