Acetaminophen / Dextromethorphan / Diphenhydramine / Pseudoephedrine Side Effects
Applies to acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / diphenhydramine / pseudoephedrine: oral kit, oral tablet.
Important warnings
This medicine can cause some serious health issues
Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death. Do not take this medication without a doctor's advice if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis) or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day.
You should not use this medicine if you have severe constipation, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, or if you are unable to urinate.
Do not use this medicine if you have untreated or uncontrolled diseases such as glaucoma, asthma or COPD, high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, or overactive thyroid.
Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while you are taking acetaminophen, and can increase certain side effects of diphenhydramine.
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.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / diphenhydramine / pseudoephedrine: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
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chest pain, rapid pulse;
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fast, slow, or uneven heart rate;
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severe dizziness or anxiety, feeling like you might pass out;
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severe headache;
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mood changes, confusion, hallucinations, severe nervousness;
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tremor, seizure (convulsions);
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fever, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
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urinating less than usual or not at all;
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nausea, pain in your upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes); or
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dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, chest pain, uneven heartbeats, seizure).
Less serious side effects of acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / diphenhydramine / pseudoephedrine may include:
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dizziness, drowsiness, mild headache;
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dry mouth, nose, or throat;
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constipation, diarrhea, mild nausea, upset stomach;
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blurred vision;
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feeling restless or irritable; or
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sleep problems (insomnia).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
See also:
More about acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / diphenhydramine / pseudoephedrine
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Dosage information
- Drug class: upper respiratory combinations
Related treatment guides
Further information
Acetaminophen/dextromethorphan/diphenhydramine/pseudoephedrine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.