Vituz Side Effects
Generic name: chlorpheniramine / hydrocodone
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 20, 2025.
Note: This document provides detailed information about Vituz Side Effects associated with chlorpheniramine / hydrocodone. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Vituz.
Applies to chlorpheniramine / hydrocodone: oral suspension extended release.
Other dosage forms:
Important warnings
This medicine can cause some serious health issues
Serious side effects of Vituz
Along with its needed effects, chlorpheniramine / hydrocodone 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 / hydrocodone:
More common side effects
- lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
- unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness
Incidence not known
- agitation
- bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
- blurred vision
- change in the ability to see colors, especially blue or yellow
- chills
- confusion
- constipation
- constricted, pinpoint, or small pupils (black part of the eye)
- cough
- cough producing mucus
- dark urine
- decrease in frequency of urination
- decrease in urine volume
- diarrhea
- difficult, painful, or troubled breathing
- difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
- difficulty swallowing
- discouragement
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- double vision
- feeling sad or empty
- fever
- general feeling of tiredness or weakness
- headache
- hives, itching, skin rash
- hoarseness
- indigestion
- irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
- irritability
- lack of appetite
- loss of consciousness
- loss of interest or pleasure
- lower back or side pain
- muscle aches
- nausea
- nervousness
- overactive reflexes
- pain or cramping in the stomach
- pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
- pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
- poor coordination
- pounding in the ears
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- rapid weight gain
- restlessness
- seeing double
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- seizures
- shakiness and unsteady walk
- shivering
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- stuffy or runny nose
- talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
- tightness in the chest
- tingling of the hands or feet
- trembling or shaking
- trouble concentrating
- trouble sleeping
- twitching
- uncontrolled movements of the face
- unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual weight gain or loss
- vomiting
- yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects of Vituz
Some side effects of chlorpheniramine / hydrocodone 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:
More common side effects
- constipation
- dry mouth
Incidence not known
- back pain
- decreased appetite
- difficulty in moving
- drowsiness
- false or unusual sense of well-being
- fear or nervousness
- sleepiness
- feeling of warmth
- increased sweating
- joint pain
- muscle pain or stiffness
- redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
- trouble getting pregnant
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress while you are using this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. If your cough does not improve or if it gets worse within 5 days, call your doctor.
It is against the law and dangerous for anyone else to use your medicine. Keep your unused capsules or oral liquid in a safe and secure place.
This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.
Do not use this medicine if you are using or have used an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate® within the past 14 days.
Using this medicine can cause severe constipation. To prevent this, your doctor may direct you to take laxatives, drink a lot of fluids, or increase the amount of fiber in your diet. Be sure to follow the directions carefully, because continuing constipation can lead to more serious problems.
This medicine may make you drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that can make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for allergies or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine, other prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of these medicines while you are using this medicine.
If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose of this medicine, get emergency help at once. Signs of an overdose include: pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin, confusion, difficult or troubled breathing, irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing, extreme sleepiness or drowsiness, cold and clammy skin, or lightheadedness or fainting.
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help lessen this problem. Also, lying down for a while may relieve the dizziness or lightheadedness.
Using this medicine while you are pregnant may cause serious unwanted effects, including neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome in your newborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you think you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.
This medicine may cause adrenal insufficiency. Check with your doctor right away if you have darkening of the skin, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, loss of appetite, mental depression, nausea, skin rash, unusual tiredness or weakness, or vomiting.
If you are especially sensitive to the effects of this medicine, do not suddenly stop using it without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely. This may help reduce the possibility of withdrawal symptoms, such as abdominal or stomach cramps, anxiety, fever, nausea, runny nose, sweating, tremors, or trouble sleeping.
Using too much of this medicine may cause infertility (unable to have children). Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
For healthcare professionals
Applies to chlorpheniramine / hydrocodone: oral capsule extended release, oral liquid, oral suspension extended release.
General adverse events
The more commonly reported adverse effects have included, sedation, somnolence, mental clouding, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.[Ref]
Respiratory
- Frequency not reported: Dose-related respiratory depression including fatal respiratory depression, dryness of the pharynx, dryness of respiratory passages, laryngismus, wheezing, breathing trouble[Ref]
Nervous system
- Frequency not reported: Sedation, somnolence, drowsiness, lethargy, mental and physical impairment, dizziness, headache, facial dyskinesia, feeling faint, lightheadedness, tremor[Ref]
Psychiatric
- Frequency not reported: Mental clouding, confusion, anxiety, fear, dysphoria, psychic dependence, mood changes, euphoria, agitation, irritability
Gastrointestinal
- Frequency not reported: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, acute pancreatitis, dry mouth, dyspepsia, epigastric distress, loss of appetite[Ref]
Cardiovascular
- Frequency not reported: Chest tightness
Dermatologic
Genitourinary
- Frequency not reported: Ureteral spasm, spasm of vesicle sphincters, urinary retention, dysuria, urinary frequency, urinary hesitancy[Ref]
Ocular
- Frequency not reported: Blurred, double, or other visual disturbances
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References
1. (2006) "Product Information. Tussionex PennKinetic (chlorpheniramine-hydrocodone)." UCB Pharma Inc
2. (2006) "Product Information. HyTan (chlorpheniramine-hydrocodone)." Prasco Laboratories
3. (2017) "Product Information. Vituz (chlorpheniramine-hydrocodone)." Hawthorn Pharmaceuticals
4. (2017) "Product Information. TussiCaps (chlorpheniramine-hydrocodone)." ECR Pharmaceuticals
More about Vituz (chlorpheniramine / hydrocodone)
Patient resources
Other brands
Tussionex Pennkinetic, TussiCaps
Professional resources
Other brands
Related treatment guides
Further information
Vituz 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.