Ryna-C Side Effects
Generic name: chlorpheniramine / codeine / pseudoephedrine
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 9, 2023.
Note: This document provides detailed information about Ryna-C.
Applies to chlorpheniramine / codeine / pseudoephedrine: oral liquid Side Effects associated with chlorpheniramine / codeine / pseudoephedrine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Ryna-C.
Applies to chlorpheniramine / codeine / pseudoephedrine: oral liquid.
Important warnings
This medicine can cause some serious health issues
Serious side effects of Ryna-C
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Very bad dizziness or passing out.
- Chest pain or pressure or a fast heartbeat.
- Trouble breathing, slow breathing, or shallow breathing.
- Noisy breathing.
- Feeling very sleepy.
- Feeling confused.
- A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
- Mood changes.
- Seizures.
- Very bad belly pain.
- Very bad headache.
- Trouble passing urine.
- Shakiness.
- Change in eyesight.
- Very upset stomach or throwing up.
- Very bad constipation.
- Feeling very tired or weak.
Other side effects of Ryna-C
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Dizziness.
- Feeling nervous and excitable.
- Not able to sleep.
- Feeling sleepy.
- Constipation.
- Upset stomach or throwing up.
- Sweating a lot.
- Feeling tired or weak.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
For healthcare professionals
Applies to chlorpheniramine/codeine/pseudoephedrine: oral elixir, oral liquid.
General
The more commonly expected adverse effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, blurred vision, confusion, dizziness, and headache.[Ref]
Respiratory
Codeine:
- Frequency not reported: Respiratory depression, dryness of the pharynx and respiratory passages, laryngismus, atelectasis, wheezing, troubled breathing, hiccups[Ref]
Respiratory depression has been associated with antitussive use of codeine in young children. Respiratory depression and death have occurred in children who received codeine in the postoperative period following tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. Further investigation has shown these patients to be ultra-rapid metabolizers of codeine. Children with obstructive sleep apnea who are treated with codeine appear to be particularly sensitive to the respiratory depressant effects of codeine.[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Codeine or Chlorpheniramine:
- Frequency not reported: Fast, or slow heartbeat, hypertension, hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, palpitations, shock-like state, syncope
Pseudoephedrine:
- Frequency not reported: Tachycardia, palpitations, cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, impaired circulation to the extremities, coronary artery spasm, chest pain[Ref]
Hypotension is rare and has been reported most frequently with high doses of codeine.
Pseudoephedrine causes vasoconstriction which generally does not produce hypertension, but may be problematic for patients with preexisting hypertension. Arrhythmias may be produced in predisposed patients. Rarely, pseudoephedrine has been reported to cause coronary artery spasm and chest pain.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Codeine or Chlorpheniramine:
- Frequency not reported: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, acute pancreatitis, dry mouth, dyspepsia, epigastric distress, diarrhea, gastro-esophageal reflux, gastrointestinal hypomotility
Pseudoephedrine:
- Frequency not reported: Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth[Ref]
Psychiatric
Codeine:
- Frequency not reported: Drug dependence, confusion, depression, euphoria, false sense of well-being, excitability, nervousness, agitation, restlessness, insomnia, irritability
Pseudoephedrine:
- Frequency not reported: Hallucinations (particularly in children), anxiety, excitability, insomnia[Ref]
Nervous system
Codeine or Chlorpheniramine:
- Frequency not reported: Weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, sedation, headache, facial dyskinesia, lightheadedness, somnolence, dyskinesia, tremor
Pseudoephedrine:
- Frequency not reported: Restlessness, dizziness, weakness, headache, drowsiness, tremor[Ref]
Nearly all patients treated with chlorpheniramine experience drowsiness. This drowsiness may subside in some patients with extended use. Patients should be warned against driving, as well as concomitant ingestion of alcohol and other sedative-hypnotic drugs, while taking chlorpheniramine.
Few cases of dyskinesias and tremors, often of the face, have been reported in patients whose chronic use of chlorpheniramine extended over a period of 3 to 10 years. Some of these cases were only partially relieved by discontinuation of the drug.[Ref]
Genitourinary
Codeine or Chlorpheniramine:
- Frequency not reported: Ureteral spasm, urinary retention, dysuria, urinary frequency, urinary hesitancy, irritative bladder symptom
Pseudoephedrine:
- Frequency not reported: Urinary retention[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Codeine or Chlorpheniramine:
- Frequency not reported: Allergic laryngospasm, nasal stuffiness, bronchospastic allergic reaction, hives, itching, swelling of face[Ref]
Dermatologic
Codeine or Chlorpheniramine:
- Frequency not reported: Redness or flushing of face, skin rash, pruritus, erythema, urticaria, excessive perspiration, dermatitis
Pseudoephedrine:
- Frequency not reported: Fixed drug eruption in the form of erythematous nodular patches, rash[Ref]
Endocrine
Codeine or Chlorpheniramine:
- Frequency not reported: Decreased lactation, early menses, gynecomastia, increased libido, pheochromocytoma stimulation[Ref]
Metabolic
Codeine or Chlorpheniramine:
- Frequency not reported: Changes in glucose utilization, glycosuria, hypoglycemia, increased appetite, loss of appetite[Ref]
Ocular
Codeine or Chlorpheniramine:
- Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, diplopia, visual disturbances, hypermetropia, lacrimation increased, mydriasis, photophobia
Pseudoephedrine:
- Frequency not reported: Angle-closure glaucoma[Ref]
Other
Codeine or Chlorpheniramine:
- Frequency not reported: Asthenia, feeling of relaxation, unusual tiredness, labyrinthitis, tinnitus, vertigo[Ref]
References
1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
2. (2016) "Product Information. Tuzistra XR (chlorpheniramine-codeine)." Vernalis Pharmaceuticals Inc
3. Mariani PJ (1986) "Pseudoephedrine-induced hypertensive emergency: treatment with labetalol." Am J Emerg Med, 4, p. 141-2
4. Rosen RA (1981) "Angina associated with pseudoephedrine ." Ann Emerg Med, 10, p. 230-1
5. Wiener I, Tilkian AG, Palazzolo M (1990) "Coronary artery spasm and myocardial infarction in a patient with normal coronary arteries: temporal relationship to pseudoephedrine ingestion." Cathet Cardiovasc Diagn, 20, p. 51-3
6. "Product Information. Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine)." Schering-Plough
7. Mores N, Campia U, Navarra P, Cardillo C, Preziosi P (1999) "No cardiovascular effects of single-dose pseudoephedrine in patients with essential hypertension treated with beta-blockers." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 55, p. 251-4
8. "Product Information. Ryna-C (chlorpheniramine / codeine / pseudoephedrine)." Wallace Laboratories
9. Millet VM, Dreisbach M, Bryson YJ (1982) "Double-blind controlled study of central nervous system side effects of amantadine, rimantadine, and chlorpheniramine." Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 21, p. 1-4
10. Krause LB, Shuster S (1985) "A comparison of astemizole and chlorpheniramine in dermographic urticaria." Br J Dermatol, 112, p. 447-53
11. (1976) "Letter: Dyskinesia associated with chronic antihistamine use." N Engl J Med, 294, p. 113
12. Thach BT, Chase TN, Bosma JF (1975) "Oral facial dyskinesia associated with prolonged use of antihistaminic decongestants." N Engl J Med, 293, p. 486-7
13. Schuller DE, Turkewitz D (1986) "Adverse effects of antihistamines." Postgrad Med, 79, p. 75-86
14. Shelley WB, Shelley ED (1987) "Nonpigmenting fixed drug eruption as a distinctive reaction pattern: examples caused by sensitivity to pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and tetrahydrozoline." J Am Acad Dermatol, 17, p. 403-7
15. Tomb RR, Lepoittevin JP, Espinassouze F, Heid E, Foussereau J (1991) "Systemic contact dermatitis from pseudoephedrine." Contact Dermatitis, 24, p. 86-8
16. Camisa C (1988) "Fixed drug eruption due to pseudoephedrine." Cutis, 41, p. 339-40
17. Quan MB, Chow WC (1996) "Nonpigmenting fixed drug eruption after pseudoephedrine." Int J Dermatol, 35, p. 367-70
18. Vidal C, Prieto A, PerezCarral C, Armisen M (1998) "Nonpigmenting fixed drug eruption due to pseudoephedrine." Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol, 80, p. 309-10
19. Hunskaar S, Dragsund S (1985) "Scarlatiniform rash and urticaria due to codeine." Ann Allergy, 54, p. 240-1
20. (2002) "Product Information. Calcidrine (codeine)." Abbott Pharmaceutical
More about Ryna-C (chlorpheniramine / codeine / pseudoephedrine)
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- Compare alternatives
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: upper respiratory combinations
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Further information
Ryna-C 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.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.