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Chlorpheniramine/​Dextromethorphan

    DEA Class; Rx

    Common Brand Names; Children’s Robitussin Cough & Cold Long-Acting, St. Joseph Cough & Cold

    • Cough/Cold, Non-narcotic Combos; 
    • Antihistamine/Antitussive Combos

    Oral sedating antihistamine and non-opioid antitussive combination
    Used to relieve symptoms associated with the common cold or allergies including rhinorrhea, sneezing, and cough in adults and pediatric patients 6 years and older
    These products may be abused due to dextromethorphan content and are known by the slang term “Triple C”

    Indicated for the relief of cough, rhinorrhea, and sneezing due to the common cold.

    Hypersensitivity

    Within 2 wk of taking a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor

    Sedation of children

    • Sedation ranging from mild drowsiness to deep sleep
    • CNS depression
    • Excitability may occur in children
    • Dizziness
    • Impaired coordination
    • Muscular weakness
    • Anorexia
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Urinary retention
    • Blurred vision
    • Xerostomia
    • Restlessness, insomnia, tremors, euphoria, nervousness, delirium, palpitations, seizures reported infrequently

    Caution in children younger than 6 years

    Benign prostatic hypertrophy

    Glaucoma

    Caution in productive cough (do not suppress expectoration of phlegm)

    Chronic respiratory conditions (eg, asthma, COPD)

    Alcohol consumption or other CNS depressants may increase risk for drowsiness

    May impair ability to safely drive vehicle or operate machinery

    Pregnancy Category: C

    Lactation: Unknown whether distributed in breast milk, caution advised

    Do not exceed recommended dosage limits for the specific product prescribed; the following are general guidelines:

    Adults

    Chlorpheniramine 24 mg/day PO; dextromethorphan 120 mg/day PO.

    Geriatric

    Chlorpheniramine 24 mg/day PO; dextromethorphan 120 mg/day PO.

    Adolescents

    Chlorpheniramine 24 mg/day PO; dextromethorphan 120 mg/day PO.

    Children

    12 years: Chlorpheniramine 24 mg/day PO; dextromethorphan 120 mg/day PO.
    6 to 11 years: Chlorpheniramine 12 mg/day PO; dextromethorphan 60 mg/day PO.
    Less than 6 years: Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Infants

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Chlorpheniramine/dextromethorphan

    chlorpheniramine maleate/dextromethorphan hydrobromide

    softchew tablet

    • 1mg/5mg

    oral syrup

    • (1mg/7.5mg)/5mL
    • (2mg/15mg)/5mL

    tablet

    • 4mg/30mg