Chlorphenamine

What is Chlorphenamine?

• Chlorphenamine also known as chlorpheniramine, is an antihistamine used to treat the symptoms of allergic conditions such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

Chlorphenamine

Chlorphenamine molecule ball

Chlorphenamine molecule spacefill

What are the uses of this medicine?

Chlorphenamine is used for: temporarily relieves the following symptoms due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies:

• sneezing
• runny nose
• itchy, watery eyes
• itching of the nose or throat

How does this medicine work?

• Chlorpheniramine is in a class of medications called antihistamines.
• It works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms.
• Chlorphenamine acts primarily as a potent H1 antihistamine.
• It is specifically a potent inverse agonist of the histamine H1 receptor.
• The drug is also commonly described as possessing weak anticholinergic activity by acting as an antagonist of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.

Who Should Not Use this medicine ?

This medicine cannot be used if:

• Ask a doctor before use if you have
• glaucoma
• a breathing problem such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis
• difficulty in urination due to enlargement of the prostate gland

What drug interactions can this medicine cause?

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.

Be sure to mention the medications listed below:

• other medications for colds, hay fever, or allergies; medications for anxiety, depression, or seizures; muscle relaxants; narcotic medications for pain; sedatives; sleeping pills; and tranquilizers.

Is this medicine FDA approved?

Chlorpheniramine was patented in 1948 and came into medical use in 1949.

• It is available as a generic medication and over the counter.

How should this medicine be used?

Recommended dosage: adults and children 12 years and over:

• 1 tablet.
• Do not exceed 6 tablets in 24 hours.

children 6 to under 12 years:

• 1/2 tablet (break tablet in half).
• Do not exceed 3 whole tablets in 24 hours.

children under 6 years:

• do not use.

Administration:

• Chlorpheniramine comes as a tablet, a capsule, an extended-release (long-acting) tablet and capsule, a chewable tablet, and a liquid to take by mouth.
• The regular capsules and tablets, chewable tablets, and liquid are usually taken every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
• The extended-release (long-acting) tablets and capsules are usually taken twice a day in the morning and evening as needed.
• Chlorpheniramine comes alone and in combination with fever and pain reducers, expectorants, cough suppressants, and decongestants
• Do not give these products to children younger than 4 years of age.
• If you give these products to children 4-11 years of age, use caution and follow the package directions carefully.
• If you are taking the liquid, do not use a household spoon to measure your dose.
• Use the measuring spoon or cup that came with the medication or use a spoon made especially for measuring medication.
• If you are using the extended-release tablets or capsules, swallow them whole.
• Do not break, crush, chew, or open them.

What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?

This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:

• As a tablet, a capsule, an extended-release (long-acting) tablet and capsule, a chewable tablet, and a liquid to take by mouth

This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː

• Aller-Chlor
• Aller-Chlor Syrup
• Chlo-Amine
• Chlor-Trimeton 12 Hour Allergy
• Chlor-Trimeton 4 Hour Allergy
• Chlor-Trimeton 8 Hour Allergy
• Chlor-Trimeton Allergy Syrup
• Polaramine
• Polaramine Repetabs
• Polaramine Syrup
• Teldrin Allergy

What side effects can this medication cause?

The most common side effects of this medicine include:

• drowsiness
• dry mouth, nose, and throat
• nausea
• vomiting
• loss of appetite
• constipation
• headache
• increased chest congestion

Some side effects can be serious which may include:

• vision problems
• difficulty urinating

What special precautions should I follow?

• Do not use to make a child sleepy.

When using this product

• drowsiness may occur
• avoid alcoholic beverages
• alcohol, sedatives, and tranquilizers may increase drowsiness
• use caution when driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery
• excitability may occur, especially in children
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or other types of lung disease; glaucoma (a condition in which increased pressure in the eye can lead to gradual loss of vision); ulcers; diabetes; difficulty urinating (due to an enlarged prostate gland); heart disease; high blood pressure; seizures; or an overactive thyroid gland.
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking chlorpheniramine.
• Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• Alcohol can make the side effects of chlorpheniramine worse.
• Older adults should not usually take chlorpheniramine because it is not as safe or effective as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition.

What to do in case of emergency/overdose?

• In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline of your country. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222.

• Overdose related information is also available online at poisonhelp.org/help.
• In the event that the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services. In the United States, call 911.

Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?

• If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use.

Can this medicine be used in children?

• Do not give these products to children younger than 4 years of age.
• If you give these products to children 4-11 years of age, use caution and follow the package directions carefully.

What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?

Active ingredient:

• chlorpheniramine maleate

Inactive ingredients:

• starch, corn
• d&c yellow no. 10 aluminum lake
• anhydrous lactose
• magnesium stearate
• microcrystalline cellulose

Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?

Distributed by:

• Major Pharmaceuticals
• Enterprise Drive
• Livonia, MI, USA

Repackaged by:

• Contract Pharmacy Services-PA
• Titus Ave Suite
• Warrington, PA USA

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

• Store between 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) with excursions permitted between 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F).
• Protect from excessive moisture.

• Dailymed label info on Chlorphenamine
• FDA Chlorphenamine

First Generation Antihistamines

• Brompheniramine
• Carbinoxamine
• Chlorcyclizine
• Chlorpheniramine
• Clemastine
• Cyclizine
• Cyproheptadine
• Dexbrompheniramine
• Dexchlorpheniramine
• Dimenhydrinate
• Diphenhydramine
• Doxylamine
• Hydroxyzine
• Meclizine
• Phenyltoloxamine
• Promethazine
• Triprolidine

Second Generation Antihistamines

• Acrivastine
• Cetirizine
• Fexofenadine
• Levocetirizine
• Loratadine
• Desloratadine

Pharmacodynamics