Medications and Drugs
GENERIC NAME: chlorpheniramine and pseudoephedrine
BRAND NAMES: Deconamine and others...(Sudafed and others are pseudoephedrine alone)
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Deconamine is a brand name
medication
that contains 2 different drugs, an antihistamine
(chlorpheniramine) and a
decongestant (pseudoephedrine). The antihistamine effects of
chlorpheniramine account for its affect in reducing allergy
symptoms. The
decongestant action of pseudoephedrine is a result of blood
vessel
constriction in the nasal air passages, such as in the nose or
sinuses.
PRESCRIPTION: yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: yes
PREPARATIONS: tablets of 4 mg chlorpheniramine/60 mg
pseudoephedrine; chew tabs of 1 mg c/15 mg p; syrup of 2 mg
c/30 mg p.
STORAGE: Room temperature in a tight container.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Deconamine is used for the temporary
relief of
runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion from the common cold. Deconamine is
also used for inflamed nasal passages (sinusitis), hay fever
(allergic
rhinitis) and sinus congestion.
DOSING: Deconamine may be taken with or without food.
It must be
used cautiously in patients with heart (coronary artery)
disease and
angina, diabetes, lung diseases, especially asthma, glaucoma,
narrowing of
the stomach exit (pyloric stenosis).
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Deconamine can cause drowsiness and
impaired
ability to operate machinery. Deconamine contains
pseudoephedrine which
should not be taken with MAO inhibitors drugs. Caution must be
exercised
in the administration of this drug to patients with heart or
lung disease. Deconamine should not be combined with other drugs containing
pseudoephedrine (such as Sudafed) because of increased risk of
side
effects on the heart and blood vessels.
While misuse of Deconamine for the purpose of getting
"high"
is unfamiliar to the editors, it is a specific warning from the
manufacturer that patients be aware of possible
"additive"
effects of Deconamine when taken with alcohol and other central
nervous
depressants (such as sedatives and tranquilizers). This means
that when Deconamine is taken with, for example, alcohol, the effect of
the alcohol
could be magnified. Conversely, alcohol increases the sedating
qualities
of Deconamine.
SIDE EFFECTS: Side effects of antihistamines include
drowsiness, impaired ability to accurately operate machinery, worsening of
glaucoma or asthma or chronic lung diseases, rash, hives, perspiration,
chills dry
mouth or throat, low blood counts, restlessness, ringing in the
ears,
stomach upset, urinary frequency or difficulty.
Side effects of pseudoephedrine include stimulation of the
nervous
system leading to nervousness, restlessness, excitability,
dizziness,
headache, fear, anxiety, tremor, and even hallucinations and
convulsions
(seizures).
Reference: FDA Prescribing Information
Last Editorial Review: 12/31/1997
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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