Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, and Pseudoephedrine

U.S. Brand Names

All-Nite Cold [OTC] ; Vicks® NyQuil® D Cold & Flu Multi-Symptom [OTC]

Pharmacologic Category

Analgesic, Miscellaneous; Antitussive; Decongestant; Histamine H1 Antagonist; Histamine H1 Antagonist, First Generation

What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?

Talk with healthcare provider before giving this medicine to a child. Check all of your child's medicines, including over-the-counter, with healthcare provider.

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, doxylamine, pseudoephedrine, or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you have taken isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine in the last 14 days. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine) must be stopped 14 days before this medicine is started. Taking the two together could cause dangerously high blood pressure.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to stop coughing.

• This medicine is used to relieve pain.

• This medicine is used to treat nasal congestion.

• This medicine is used to relieve cold symptoms.

How does it work?

• Acetaminophen blocks production and release of chemicals that cause pain.

• Dextromethorphan affects the cough center in the brain.

• Doxylamine blocks the allergic reaction by minimizing or preventing the body's reaction to the allergen.

• Pseudoephedrine shrinks swollen nasal tissue and opens up passages.

How is it best taken?

• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.

• Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Many times this medicine is taken on an as needed basis.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Avoid other sources of acetaminophen. An overdose may cause dangerous problems.

• This medicine is not for coughs due to smoking or lung disease.

• If you have diabetes, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have an enlarged prostate gland, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have glaucoma, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you are on a low-salt diet (contains salt), talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have thyroid disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Avoid or limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor) to less than 3 drinks a day. Drinking too much alcohol may increase the risk of liver disease.

• Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake. Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, and fast heartbeat.

• Be careful if you have G6PD deficiency. Anemia may occur.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Nervous and excitable.

• Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Inability to sleep.

• Liver damage can rarely occur.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Dry mouth may cause an increase in cavities. Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Chest pain or pressure, fast heartbeat, or passing out.

• Severe headache.

• Persistent cough.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Yellow skin or eyes.

• Not hungry.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2009-04-03 10:47:35.0

Modified: 2009-04-09 08:51:05.0

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