Generic Name: dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine (dex troe meh THOR fan, feh nill EH frin, pie RIH la meen)
Brand names: Codal-DM Syrup, Codimal DM, Codituss DM, Poly Hist DM, ...show all 15 brand names.
What is dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine?
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.
Phenylephrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).
Pyrilamine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.
The combination of dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine is used to treat sneezing, cough, runny or stuffy nose, itchy or watery eyes, hives, skin rash, itching, and other symptoms of allergies and the common cold.
Dextromethorphan will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.
Dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine?
Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children. Do not use a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take cough or cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body. Do not use any other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or sleep medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of one or more types of medicine. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains an antihistamine, decongestant, or cough suppressant. Dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of this medication.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine?
Do not use a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take cough or cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, or pyrilamine, or if you have:
- kidney disease;
- liver disease;
diabetes;
glaucoma;
heart disease or high blood pressure;
a thyroid disorder;
a stomach ulcer or a stomach obstruction;
emphysema or chronic bronchitis; or
an enlarged prostate or urination problems.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Artificially-sweetened liquid forms of cough-and-cold medications may contain phenylalanine. This would be important to know if you have phenylketonuria (PKU). Check the ingredients and warnings on the medication label if you are concerned about phenylalanine.
How should I take dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine?
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label or as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.
Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children. Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
Measure the liquid form of this medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
Take this medicine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking an antihistamine.
Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time if you have taken a cold medicine within the past few days.
Store the medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since cough or cold medicine is usually taken only as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Symptoms of an overdose may include feeling restless or nervous, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, warmth or tingly feeling, or seizure (convulsions). confusion, blurred vision, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, and seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while taking dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine?
This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of this medication.
Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine.
Avoid taking diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications) without your doctor's advice. Taking a stimulant together with a decongestant can increase your risk of unpleasant side effects.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or sleep medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Antihistamines, decongestants, and cough suppressants are contained in many medicines available over the counter. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of one or more types of medicine. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains an antihistamine, decongestant, or cough suppressant.
Dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;
confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness;
increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure);
confusion, hallucinations;
slow, shallow breathing;
urinating less than usual or not at all;
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Keep taking the medication and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:
blurred vision;
dry mouth;
nausea, stomach pain, constipation;
mild loss of appetite, stomach upset;
warmth, tingling, or redness under your skin;
feeling excited or restless;
sleep problems (insomnia);
restless or excitability (especially in children);
skin rash or itching;
dizziness, drowsiness;
problems with memory or concentration; or
ringing in your ears.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:
Suspension: 5 to 10 mL orally every 12 hours.
Tablet: 1 to 2 tablets orally every 12 hours.
Liquid: 5 to 10 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 60 mg of phenylephrine in 24 hours.
Usual Adult Dose for Cold Symptoms:
Suspension: 5 to 10 mL orally every 12 hours.
Tablet: 1 to 2 tablets orally every 12 hours.
Liquid: 5 to 10 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 60 mg of phenylephrine in 24 hours.
Usual Adult Dose for Sinusitis:
Suspension: 5 to 10 mL orally every 12 hours.
Tablet: 1 to 2 tablets orally every 12 hours.
Liquid: 5 to 10 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 60 mg of phenylephrine in 24 hours.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:
2 years to Suspension: 2.5 mL orally every 12 hours.
Tablet: 1/2 tablet orally every 12 hours.
Liquid: 2.5 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 15 mg of phenylephrine in 24 hours.
6 years to Suspension: 5 mL orally every 12 hours.
Tablet: 1/2 to 1 tablet orally every 12 hours.
Liquid: 5 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 30 mg of phenylephrine in 24 hours.
=>12 years:
Suspension: 5 to 10 mL orally every 12 hours.
Tablet: 1 to 2 tablets orally every 12 hours.
Liquid: 5 to 10 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 60 mg of phenylephrine in 24 hours.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Cold Symptoms:
2 years to Suspension: 2.5 mL orally every 12 hours.
Tablet: 1/2 tablet orally every 12 hours.
Liquid: 2.5 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 15 mg of phenylephrine in 24 hours.
6 years to Suspension: 5 mL orally every 12 hours.
Tablet: 1/2 to 1 tablet orally every 12 hours.
Liquid: 5 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 30 mg of phenylephrine in 24 hours.
=>12 years:
Suspension: 5 to 10 mL orally every 12 hours.
Tablet: 1 to 2 tablets orally every 12 hours.
Liquid: 5 to 10 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 60 mg of phenylephrine in 24 hours.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Sinusitis:
2 years to Suspension: 2.5 mL orally every 12 hours.
Tablet: 1/2 tablet orally every 12 hours.
Liquid: 2.5 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 15 mg of phenylephrine in 24 hours.
6 years to Suspension: 5 mL orally every 12 hours.
Tablet: 1/2 to 1 tablet orally every 12 hours.
Liquid: 5 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 30 mg of phenylephrine in 24 hours.
=>12 years:
Suspension: 5 to 10 mL orally every 12 hours.
Tablet: 1 to 2 tablets orally every 12 hours.
Liquid: 5 to 10 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 60 mg of phenylephrine in 24 hours.
What other drugs will affect dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
an antidepressant;
a diuretic (water pill);
medication to treat irritable bowel syndrome;
celecoxib (Celebrex);
cinacalcet (Sensipar);
darifenacin (Enablex);
imatinib (Gleevec);
quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex);
ranolazine (Ranexa)
ritonavir (Norvir);
sibutramine (Meridia);
terbinafine (Lamisil);
medicines to treat high blood pressure;
aspirin or salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doan's Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others);
bladder or urinary medications such as oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol) or tolterodine (Detrol); or
a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol (Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others.
There may be other drugs that can affect dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
More dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine resources
- Dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine Side Effects (in more detail)
- Dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine Drug Interactions
- Dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine Support Group
- 2 Reviews for Dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine - Add your own review/rating
Compare dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine with other medications
- Cold Symptoms
- Hay Fever
- Sinusitis
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist has information about dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine written for health professionals that you may read.
See also: dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine side effects (in more detail)
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