Chlorpheniramine / Codeine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 26, 2024.

Applies to chlorpheniramine / codeine: oral tablet extended release.

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

Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing, breathing that stops during sleep;

• confusion, severe drowsiness;

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• severe constipation; or

• adrenal gland problems--nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling very dizzy, weak, or tired.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults and those who are debilitated.

Common side effects may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, feeling light-headed;

• feeling short of breath;

• confusion, mood changes, lack of energy,

• feeling nervous, irritable, agitated, or restless;

• sleep problems;

• headache, vision problems;

• tremors, coordination problems;

• dry mouth;

• sweating; or

• nausea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, bloating.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

See also:

For healthcare professionals

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

General adverse events

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]

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]

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]

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]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Arthralgia, backache, muscle spasm

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Urinary tract infection, ureteral spasm, spasm of vesicle sphincters, urinary retention

Further information

Chlorpheniramine/codeine 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.

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