$Unique_ID{BRK02123}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{PSEUDOEPHEDRINE, CARBINOXAMINE, AND DEXTROMETHORPHAN COMBINATION}
$Subject{Carbodec DM (Rugby)
Cardec DM (various manufacturers)
Mycadec DM (My-K Labs)
Pseudo-Car DM (Geneva Generics)
Rondec DM (Ross)
Tussafed (Everett)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


PSEUDOEPHEDRINE, CARBINOXAMINE, AND DEXTROMETHORPHAN COMBINATION
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Carbodec DM (Rugby)
     Cardec DM (various manufacturers)
     Mycadec DM (My-K Labs)
     Pseudo-Car DM (Geneva Generics)
     Rondec DM (Ross)
     Tussafed (Everett)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Adrenergic (decongestant), antihistamine, and cough suppressant
INGREDIENTS:
     pseudoephedrine, carbinoxamine, and dextromethorphan
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Oral syrup (60 mg pseudoephedrine, 4 mg carbinoxamine, and 15 mg
       dextromethorphan per 5-ml spoonful)
     Oral drops (25 mg pseudoephedrine, 2 mg carbinoxamine, and 4 mg
       dextromethorphan per 1-ml dropperful)
STORAGE:
     Pseudoephedrine, carbinoxamine, and dextromethorphan combination oral
       syrup and oral drops should be stored at room temperature in a tightly
       closed, light-resistant glass container.  Avoid exposing these
       medications to excessive heat.

USES

     This drug combination is used to relieve coughs and the symptoms of upper
respiratory tract infections, hay fever and other allergies, and sinusitis
(inflammation of the sinuses).
     Pseudoephedrine belongs to a group of drugs known as adrenergic agents
(decongestants).  They act by constricting (narrowing) blood vessels in the
nasal passages to reduce swelling and congestion.
     Carbinoxamine belongs to a group of drugs known as antihistamines, which
block the actions of histamine, a chemical released by the body during an
allergic reaction.  It is, therefore, used to relieve or prevent symptoms of
allergy.
     Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant, which acts at the cough reflex
center in the brain.

TREATMENT

     In order to avoid stomach upset, you can take this medicine with food or
with a full glass of water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     The oral drops should be measured carefully with the dropper provided.
The oral syrup should be measured carefully with a specially designed 5-ml
measuring spoon.  An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate enough.
     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.

     Abdominal pain, blurred vision, decreased sweating, diarrhea, dizziness,
drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, heartburn, loss of appetite, nausea,
nervousness, sleeping problems, vomiting, or weakness.  These side effects
should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
     Chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or hard candy to reduce mouth
dryness.
     If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
     This medication can increase your sensitivity to sunlight.  You should,
therefore, avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps.  Wear protective
clothing, and use an effective sunscreen.
     In order to avoid difficulty in falling asleep, you should take the last
dose of this medication several hours before bedtime.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
chest pain, difficult or painful urination, difficulty in breathing,
hallucinations, pallor, palpitations, seizures, or tremors.

INTERACTIONS

     This medication can interact with several types of drugs:
     1. Concurrent use of it with central nervous system depressants (drugs
that slow the activity of the brain and spinal cord), 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), beta blockers (acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol,
carteolol, esmolol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, penbutolol, pindolol,
propranolol, timolol), and tricyclic antidepressants can increase the side
effects of this drug.  At least 14 days should separate the use of this drug
and the use of an MAO inhibitor.
     3. The side effects of the antihistamine part of this medication may be
increased by quinidine, procainamide, haloperidol, and phenothiazine
tranquilizers.
     4. The side effects of the decongestant component may be increased by
digoxin or over-the-counter (nonprescription) asthma, allergy, cough, cold,
diet, or sinus preparations.
     5. The blood-pressure-lowering effects of guanethidine, methyldopa, and
reserpine may be decreased by this drug.
     Before starting pseudoephedrine, carbinoxamine, and dextromethorphan
combination, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are
curently taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to carbinoxamine or other antihistamines (such as
azatadine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, cyproheptadine, dexchlorpheniramine,
dimenhydrinate, dimethindene, diphenhydramine, diphenylpyraline, doxylamine,
hydroxyzine, promethazine, pyrilamine, trimeprazine, tripelennamine, and
triprolidine), to pseudoephedrine or other adrenergic agents (such as
albuterol, amphetamines, ephedrine, epinephrine, isoproterenol,
metaproterenol, norepinephrine, phenylpropanolamine, and terbutaline), or to
dextromethorphan.
     * Tell your doctor if you have ever had diabetes mellitus, glaucoma,
heart or blood vessel disease, high blood pressure, myasthenia gravis,
obstructed bladder or intestinal tract, peptic ulcers, enlarged prostate, or
thyroid disease.
     * Because this drug can reduce sweating and heat release from the body,
you should avoid excessive work and exercise in hot weather, and do not take
hot baths, showers, and saunas.
     * This medication can cause drowsiness.  Your ability to perform tasks
that require alertness, such as driving a car or operating potentially
dangerous machinery, may be decreased.  Appropriate caution should, therefore,
be taken.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  The safe use of this
medication in human pregnancy has not been established.  Also, tell your
doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of this medication
pass into human 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.
