$Unique_ID{BRK01881}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{CHLORPHENIRAMINE}
$Subject{Aller-chlor (Rugby)
Chlorate (Major)
Chlor-Niramine (Whiteworth)
chlorpheniramine maleate (various manufacturers)
Chlorspan-12 (Vortech)
Chlortab (Vortech)
Chlor-Trimeton (Schering)
Phenetron (Lannett)
Telachlor S.R. (Major)
Teldrin (Smith Kline Consumer)
Trymegen (Medco Supply)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


CHLORPHENIRAMINE
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Aller-chlor [*] (Rugby)
     Chlorate (Major)
     Chlor-Niramine [*] (Whiteworth)
     chlorpheniramine maleate (various manufacturers)
     Chlorspan-12 (Vortech)
     Chlortab (Vortech)
     Chlor-Trimeton [*] (Schering)
     Phenetron (Lannett)
     Telachlor S.R. (Major)
     Teldrin [*] (Smith Kline Consumer)
     Trymegen (Medco Supply)
  *  Available over-the-counter (without a prescription)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Antihistamine
INGREDIENT
     chlorpheniramine maleate
DOSAGE FORMS
     Tablets (4 mg)
     Sustained-release tablets (8 mg and 12 mg)
     Sustained-release capsules (8 mg and 12 mg)
     Oral syrup (2 mg per 5-ml spoonful, with 7% alcohol)
STORAGE:
     Chlorpheniramine tablets, capsules, and oral syrup should be stored at
       room temperature in tightly closed containers.

USES

     This medication belongs to a group of drugs known as antihistamines
(antihistamines block the action of histamine, a chemical that is released by
the body during an allergic reaction).  It is, therefore, used to treat or
prevent symptoms of allergy.

TREATMENT

     To avoid stomach upset, you can take chlorpheniramine with food or with a
full glass of milk or water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     The oral syrup form of chlorpheniramine should be measured carefully with
a specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon.  An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is
not accurate enough.
     The sustained-release tablets and capsules should be swallowed whole.
Breaking, chewing, or crushing these forms of the medication destroys the
sustainedrelease activity and may increase the side effects.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
possible, unless it is almost time for your next dose.  In that case, do not
take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule.  Do
not double the next dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Blurred vision; confusion; constipation; diarrhea; difficult or painful
urination; dizziness; dry mouth, throat, or nose; headache; irritability; loss
of appetite; nausea; restlessness; ringing or buzzing in the ears; stomach
upset; or unusual increase in sweating.  These side effects should disappear
as your body adjusts to the medication.
     This medication can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight.  It is,
therefore, important to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps.
Wear protective clothing, and use an effective sunscreen.
     If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor tells you not to do so).
     Chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy to
reduce mouth dryness.
     If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
from a sitting or lying position slowly, and be careful on stairs.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
change in menstruation, clumsiness, feeling faint, flushing of the face,
hallucinations, palpitations, rash, seizures, shortness of breath, sleeping
disorders, sore throat or fever, tightness in the chest, unusual bleeding or
bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

INTERACTIONS

     Chlorpheniramine interacts with other types of medications:
     1. Concurrent use of it with other central nervous system depressants
(such as alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle
relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, and phenothiazine tranquilizers) or
with tricyclic antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness.
     2. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (isocarboxazid, pargyline,
phenelzine, tranylcypromine) can increase the side effects of this medication.
     3. Chlorpheniramine can also decrease the activity of oral anticoagulants
(blood thinners, such as warfarin).
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to chlorpheniramine or to other antihistamines
(such as azatadine, brompheniramine, carbinoxamine, clemastine,
cyproheptadine, dexchlorpheniramine, dimenhydrinate, dimethindene,
diphenhydramine, diphenylpyraline, doxylamine, hydroxyzine, promethazine,
pyrilamine, trimeprazine, tripelennamine, and triprolidine).
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had asthma, blood
vessel disease, glaucoma, high blood pressure, kidney disease, peptic ulcers,
enlarged prostate gland, or thyroid disease.
     * Chlorpheniramine can cause drowsiness or dizziness.  Your ability to
perform tasks that require alertness, such as driving a car or operating
potentially dangerous equipment, may be decreased.  Appropriate caution
should, therefore, be taken.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  The effects of this
medication during pregnancy have not been thoroughly studied in humans.  Also,
be sure to tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.  Small
amounts of chlorpheniramine pass into breast milk and may cause unusual
excitement or irritability in nursing infants.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
