Chlophedianol Hydrochloride
Chlophedianol hydrochloride is a centrally acting cough sup-
pressant for non-productive cough that has been
given by mouth in doses of 25 to 30 mg three to four times
daily.
CHLOPHEDIANOL (Systemic)*
Category
Antitussive
Description
Chlophedianol (kloe-fe-DYE-a-nole) is used to relieve dry, irritating coughs.
This medicine should not be used when there is mucus or phlegm (pronounced flem)
with the cough.
Chlophedianol relieves cough by acting on the cough center in the brain.
Chlophedianol is available without a doctor's prescription; however, your doctor
may have special instructions on the proper use of this medicine. It is
available in the following dosage form:
Oral
Syrup
Before Using This Medicine
If you are taking this medicine without a prescription, carefully read and
follow any precautions on the label. For chlophedianol, the following should be
considered:
Allergies-Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction
to chlophedianol. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to
any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy-Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or
animals.
Breast-feeding-It is not known whether chlophedianol passes into breast milk.
Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may
be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and
who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children-This medicine has been tested in children 2 years of age or older. In
effective doses, the medicine has not been shown to cause different side effects
or problems in children than it does in adults.
Older adults-Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people.
Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in
younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older
people. There is no specific information comparing use of chlophedianol in the
elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines-Although certain medicines should not be used together at all,
in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an
interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the
dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional
if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter
[OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems-The presence of other medical problems may affect the use
of chlophedianol. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical
problems, especially:
Mucus or phlegm with cough-Since chlophedianol decreases coughing, it makes it
difficult to get rid of the mucus that may collect in the lungs and airways
with some diseases
Proper Use of This Medicine
Do not take liquids immediately after taking this medicine. To do so may
decrease the soothing effect of the syrup.
Take this medicine only as directed . Do not take more of it and do not take it
more often than your doctor ordered or the label directs you to take. To do so
may increase the chance of side effects.
Dosing-The dose of chlophedianol will be different for different patients.
Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following
information includes only the average doses of chlophedianol. If your dose is
different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
For oral dosage form (syrup):
For cough:
Adults and children 12 years of age and older-25 milligrams (mg) every six
to eight hours as needed.
Children-
Up to 2 years of age: Use is not recommended.
2 to 6 years of age: 12.5 mg every six to eight hours as needed.
6 to 12 years of age: 12.5 to 25 mg every six to eight hours as needed.
Missed dose-If you are taking this medicine on a regular schedule and you miss a
dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next
dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not
double doses.
Storage-To store this medicine:
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store away from heat and direct light.
Keep the syrup from freezing.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any
discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
If your cough has not improved after 7 days, or if you have a high fever, skin
rash, or continuing headache with the cough, check with your doctor. These signs
may mean that you have other medical problems.
This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants
(medicines that slow down the nervous system, possibly causing drowsiness). Some
examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other
allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine;
prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates; medicine for seizures;
muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with
your doctor before taking any of the above while you are taking this medicine .
This medicine may also add to the effects of CNS stimulants, such as appetite
suppressants and caffeine-containing beverages like tea, coffee, cocoa, and cola
drinks. Avoid drinking large amounts of these beverages while taking this
medicine . If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy or less alert than they are
normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive,
use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert .
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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 as soon as possible if any of the following side effects
occur:
Rare
Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there);
nightmares; skin rash or hives; unusual excitement or irritability
With large doses
Blurred vision; drowsiness or dizziness; dryness of the mouth; nausea or
vomiting
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you
notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
USES
Reduces nonproductive cough due to bronchial irritation.
DOSAGE & USAGE INFORMATION
How to take:
Take syrup without diluting. Don't drink fluids immediately after medicine.
When to take:
3 or 4 times a day when needed. No more often than every 3 hours.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
What drug does:
Reduces cough reflex by direct effect on cough center in brain, and by local anesthetic action.
Time lapse before drug works:
30 minutes to 1 hour.
Don't take with:
Alcohol or brain depressant or stimulant drugs. Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
OVERDOSE
SYMPTOMS:
Blurred vision, hallucinations, coma.
Common:
Difficult urinationin older men with enlarged prostate.
Continue. Call doctor when convenient.
Infrequent:
None expected.
Hallucinations,drowsiness, rash or hives, nausea,vomiting, irregular heartbeat.
nightmares,excitement or irritability, blurred vision, dry mouth.
Don't take if:
You are allergic to chlophedianol.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
If medicine is for hyperactive child who takes medicine for treatment. If your cough brings up sputum (phlegm). If you have heart disease. If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.
Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.
Pregnancy:
Pregnancy risk not designated. See category list in Pregnancy Risk Category Information and consult doctor.
Breast-feeding:
Unknown whether medicine filters into milk. Consult doctor.
Infants & children:
Not recommended for children under age 2.
Prolonged use:
Not recommended. If cough persists despite medicine, consult doctor.
Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics, and mind-altering drugs.
Discontinuing:
May be unnecessary to finish medicine. Follow doctor's instructions.
Others:
Consult doctor if cough persists despite medication for 7 days or if fever, skin rash, or headache accompany cough.
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS
GENERIC NAME
OR DRUG CLASS
COMBINED EFFECT
Anticonvulsants
Interferes with
actions of both.
Antidepressants,tricyclic
Excess sedation.
Appetitesuppressants
Excess stimulation.
Central nervoussystem (CNS)depressants
Excess sedation.
Monoamine oxidase(MAO) inhibitors
Excess sedation.
Sympathomimetics
Excess stimulation.
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
INTERACTS WITH
COMBINED EFFECT
Alcohol:
Excess sedation.
Avoid.
Beverages:
Coffee, tea, cocoa,
cola.
Excess stimulation.
Avoid.
Cocaine:
Increased chance of
toxic stimulation.
Avoid.
Foods:
None expected.
Marijuana:
Increased chance of
toxic stimulation.
Avoid.
Tobacco:
Decreased effect of
chlophedianol.