MedicineNet.com
About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map
November 24, 2009
MedicineNet home Picture Slideshows Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Health and Living Picture Image Collection MedTerms medical dictionary
Font Size
A
A
A
Disclaimer



GENERIC NAME: DECONGESTANT/NARCOTIC ANTITUSSIVE/APAP/ANTIHISTAMINE - ORAL

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: The decongestant relieves nasal stuffiness. The low-dose narcotic antitussive controls coughing. The antihistamine relieves a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes. Acetaminophen (APAP) is a non-aspirin pain reliever. This combination medication is used to treat symptoms associated with a common cold, allergies, hay fever, sinusitis and other respiratory illnesses.

HOW TO USE: Take this medication as prescribed. Be sure to follow instructions closely. Do not increase your dose or take this more often than directed. This medication is best taken with a full glass of water after a meal or snack. This medication contains acetaminophen. Do not take more acetaminophen than recommended (see Side Effects section).

SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness, drowsiness, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach upset, dry mouth or constipation may occur the first several days as your body adjusts to the medication. Inform your doctor if any of these effects persist or worsen. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop: chest pain, rapid pulse, persistent headache, difficulty urinating, tremors, nervousness, hallucinations. If you do not have liver problems, the adult maximum dose of acetaminophen is 4 grams (4000 milligrams). If you take more than the maximum daily amount, it may cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage: severe nausea, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, stomach pain, extreme fatigue. An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.




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.


Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


Suggested Reading by Our Doctors
MedicineNet Doctors
  • Common Cold - Get the facts on common cold causes (virus), symptoms, treatment, how long a cold lasts, how it's transmitted, how to avoid colds and home remedies for this contagious illness.
  • Sinus Infection - Learn about sinus infections and inflammation of the sinuses (also known as sinusitis) with information written by doctors for patients. Includes causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and complications of sinus infection.
  • Hay Fever - Learn about treatment, medications and ways to manage hay fever, plus, read about causes, signs, symptoms and diagnosis of allergies and allergic rhinitis.

Latest Medical News


Back to Medications Index

copyright


Living Better

Find the secrets to longer life.


Are you Depressed? Take the Quiz

Your Guide to Symptoms & Signs: Pinpoint Your Pain



decongestant-narcotic antitussive-apap-antihistamine-oral

What is hay fever? What are the symptoms and signs?

Hay fever is a misnomer. Hay is not a usual cause of this problem, and it does not cause fever. Early descriptions of sneezing, nasal congestion, and eye irritation while harvesting field hay promoted this popular term. Allergic rhinitis is the correct term used to describe this allergic reaction, and many different substances cause the allergic symptoms noted in hay fever. Rhinitis means "irritation of the nose" and is a derivative of rhino, meaning nose. Allergic rhinitis which occurs during a specific season is called "seasonal allergic rhinitis." When it occurs throughout the year, it is called "perennial allergic rhinitis."

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, frequently include nasal congestion, a clear runny nose, sneezing, nose and eye itching, and excess tear production in the eyes. Postnasal dripping of clear mucus frequently causes a cough. Loss of the sense ...

Read the Hay Fever article »



Top 3
decongestant-narcotic antitussive-apap-antihistamine-oral Related Articles







Health categories:

Slideshows | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Health & Living | News & Views | Medical Dictionary

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Cancer | Diabetes | Digestion | Healthy Kids | Heart | Men's Health | Mental Health | Women's Health | More...

Publications:

ePublications (PDFs) | XML News via RSS | Audio Podcasts | Email Newsletters

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

©1996-2009 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.