Chlorpheniramine / codeine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 5, 2022.

For the Consumer

Applies to chlorpheniramine / codeine: oral suspension extended release

Warning

Oral route (Suspension, Extended Release)

Warning: Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse; Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression, Accidental Ingestion, Ultra-Rapid Metabolism of Codeine and Other Risk Factors for Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression in Children; Medication Errors; Interactions with Drugs Affecting Cytochrome P450 3A4; Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants; Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal SyndromeCodeine polistirex/chlorpheniramine polistirex exposes users to risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death. Assess patient’s risk before prescribing and monitor closely for these behaviors and conditions.Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur. Monitor closely, especially upon initiation or when used in patients at higher risk.Accidental ingestion of codeine polistirex/chlorpheniramine polistirex, especially by children, can result in a fatal overdose of codeine.Life-threatening respiratory depression and death have occurred in children who received codeine; most cases followed tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy, and many of the children had evidence of being an ultra-rapid metabolizer of codeine due to a CYP2D6 polymorphism. Codeine polistirex/chlorpheniramine polistirex is contraindicated in children younger than 12 years of age and in children younger than 18 years of age following tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. Avoid the use of codeine polistirex/chlorpheniramine polistirex in adolescents 12 to 18 years of age who have other risk factors that may increase their sensitivity to the respiratory depressant effects of codeine.Ensure accuracy when prescribing, dispensing, and administering codeine polistirex/chlorpheniramine polistirex. Dosing errors can result in accidental overdose and death.The effects of concomitant use or discontinuation of cytochrome P450 3A4 inducers, 3A4 inhibitors, or 2D6 inhibitors with codeine are complex, requiring careful consideration of the effects on the parent drug, codeine, and the active metabolite, morphine. Avoid the use of codeine polistirex/chlorpheniramine polistirex in patients who are taking a CYP3A4 inhibitor, CYP3A4 inducer, or 2D6 inhibitor.Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Avoid the use of codeine polistirex/chlorpheniramine polistirex in patients taking benzodiazepines, other CNS depressants, or alcohol. Codeine polistirex/chlorpheniramine polistirex is not recommended for use in pregnant women. Prolonged use of codeine polistirex/chlorpheniramine polistirex during pregnancy can result in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, which may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated. If codeine polistirex/chlorpheniramine polistirex is used for a prolonged period in a pregnant woman, advise the patient of the risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and ensure that appropriate treatment will be available.

Side effects requiring immediate medical attention

Along with its needed effects, chlorpheniramine / codeine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking chlorpheniramine / codeine:

Incidence not known

Anxiety
belching
bloating
blurred or loss of vision
chills
cold, clammy skin
cold sweat
confusion
dark urine
depression
diarrhea
difficult or painful urination
disturbed color perception
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
double vision
dryness or spasm of the throat
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
fever
halos around lights
headache
heartburn
increased hunger
indigestion
irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
loss of appetite
nausea
nervousness
night blindness
nightmares
overbright appearance of lights
pain in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
pain or discomfort in the chest, upper stomach, or throat
pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
pressure in the stomach
pounding in the ears
seizures
sensation of spinning
shakiness
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat
slurred speech
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
sweating
tunnel vision
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
yellow eyes or skin

Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention

Some side effects of chlorpheniramine / codeine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

Anxiety
blistering, crusting, or irritation of the skin
continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
cracked, dry, scaly skin
dry mouth
early menstrual periods
face is warm or hot to touch
false or unusual sense of well-being
general feeling of discomfort or illness
hearing loss
hiccups
increased appetite
increased in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
increased interest in sexual intercourse
irritability
lack or loss of strength
redness of the face
restlessness
skin rash, itching, redness, hives, swelling
swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
trouble sleeping
twitching, twisting, uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
watering of the eyes

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to chlorpheniramine / codeine: oral liquid, oral suspension, oral suspension extended release, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release

Cardiovascular

Frequency not reported: Peripheral edema, increased blood pressure, decreased blood pressure, tachycardia, chest pain, orthostatic hypotension, palpitations, syncope, prolonged QT interval, hot flush^[Ref]

Nervous system

Frequency not reported: Coma, lethargy, serotonin syndrome, ataxia, sedation, headache, facial dyskinesia, lightheadedness, tremor, tinnitus, vertigo, impaired mental and physical performance, increased intracranial pressure, seizures^[Ref]

Serotonin syndrome has been reported with concomitant opioids and serotonergic drugs.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Frequency not reported: Abdominal pain, bowel obstruction, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, gastro-esophageal reflux, pancreatitis, dry mouth, increase of serum amylase, paralytic ileus, biliary tract spasm (spasm of the sphincter of Oddi)^[Ref]

Respiratory

Frequency not reported: Respiratory depression, bronchitis, cough, dry nose, dry throat, dyspnea, nasal congestion, nasopharyngitis, thickening of bronchial secretions, tightness of chest and wheezing, upper respiratory tract infection^[Ref]

Endocrine

Frequency not reported: Adrenal insufficiency, androgen deficiency^[Ref]

Adrenal insufficiency has been reported with opioid use, most often following greater than one month of use. Androgen deficiency has been reported with chronic opioid use.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Frequency not reported: Flushing of face, hyperhidrosis, rash, pruritus^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Frequency not reported: Anaphylaxis^[Ref]

Ocular

Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, diplopia, miosis, visual disturbances^[Ref]

General

The most common adverse events were sedation (somnolence, mental clouding, lethargy), impaired mental and physical performance, lightheadedness, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, constipation, shortness of breath, and sweating.^[Ref]

Other

Frequency not reported: Death, fatigue, falling injuries, neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, drug overdose, obscured clinical course in patients with head injuries, neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome^[Ref]

Metabolic

Frequency not reported: Decreased appetite^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Frequency not reported: Agitation, anxiety, drug dependence, confusion, fear, depression, dysphoria, hallucinations, drug abuse, opioid withdrawal syndrome^[Ref]