Micromedex Detailed Drug Information for the Consumer [Internet]. Truven Health Analytics; 1974-2016.
Hydrocodone and Chlorpheniramine Polistirex (Oral route)
klor-fen-IR-a-meen pol-ee-STYE-rex, hye-droe-KOE-done pol-ee-STYE-rexBrand Name(s)
In the US: TussiCaps, Tussionex Pennkinetic
Dosage forms
Capsule, Extended Release Suspension, Extended ReleaseClassifications
Therapeutic: Antitussive, Opioid/Antihistamine Combination; Pharmacologic: Chlorpheniramine; Chemical: Chlorpheniramine
Uses of This Medicine
Hydrocodone and chlorpheniramine polistirex combination is used to treat cough and respiratory symptoms associated with a cold or allergy.
Hydrocodone polistirex is a narcotic cough suppressant. It acts directly on the cough center in the brain to prevent a cough. Chlorpheniramine polistirex is an antihistamine that treats or prevents the symptoms of an allergy.
When hydrocodone polistirex is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming. This could cause mental or physical dependence. Physical dependence may lead to unwanted withdrawal effects if hydrocodone is stopped suddenly. Talk to your doctor if you have questions.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category Explanation All Trimesters C Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with 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. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Naltrexone SafinamideUsing this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Acetophenazine Alfentanil Almotriptan Alprazolam Amitriptyline Amobarbital Amoxapine Anileridine Aprepitant Aripiprazole Asenapine Atazanavir Baclofen Boceprevir Bosentan Bromazepam Brotizolam Buprenorphine Bupropion Buspirone Butabarbital Butalbital Butorphanol Carbamazepine Carbinoxamine Carisoprodol Ceritinib Chloral Hydrate Chlordiazepoxide Chlorpromazine Chlorzoxazone Clarithromycin Clobazam Clonazepam Clorazepate Clozapine Codeine Conivaptan Cyclobenzaprine Dantrolene Desvenlafaxine Dexmedetomidine Dezocine Diacetylmorphine Diazepam Dichloralphenazone Difenoxin Dihydrocodeine Diltiazem Diphenhydramine Diphenoxylate Dixyrazine Dolasetron Donepezil Doxylamine Dronedarone Droperidol Efavirenz Enflurane Erythromycin Estazolam Eszopiclone Ethchlorvynol Ethopropazine Ethylmorphine Fentanyl Flibanserin Fluconazole Flunitrazepam Fluoxetine Fluphenazine Flurazepam Fluspirilene Fosaprepitant Fosphenytoin Fospropofol Furazolidone Granisetron Halazepam Haloperidol Halothane Hexobarbital Hydromorphone Hydroxytryptophan Hydroxyzine Idelalisib Iloperidone Imatinib Indinavir Iproniazid Isocarboxazid Isoflurane Itraconazole Ketamine Ketazolam Ketobemidone Ketoconazole Levomilnacipran Levorphanol Linezolid Lopinavir Lorazepam Lorcaserin Lormetazepam Loxapine Lurasidone Meclizine Medazepam Melperone Meperidine Mephenesin Mephobarbital Meprobamate Meptazinol Mesoridazine Metaxalone Methadone Methdilazine Methocarbamol Methohexital Methotrimeprazine Methylene Blue Metopimazine Midazolam Mirtazapine Moclobemide Modafinil Molindone Moricizine Morphine Morphine Sulfate Liposome Nalbuphine Nefazodone Nelfinavir Nicomorphine Nilotinib Nitrazepam Olanzapine Opium Opium Alkaloids Orphenadrine Oxazepam Oxycodone Oxymorphone Paliperidone Palonosetron Papaveretum Paregoric Pentazocine Pentobarbital Perampanel Perazine Periciazine Perphenazine Phenelzine Phenobarbital Phenytoin Pimozide Pipotiazine Piritramide Posaconazole Prazepam Primidone Procarbazine Prochlorperazine Promazine Promethazine Propiomazine Propofol Quazepam Quetiapine Ramelteon Rasagiline Remifentanil Remoxipride Rifampin Risperidone Ritonavir Saquinavir Secobarbital Selegiline Sertindole Sodium Oxybate St John’s Wort Sufentanil Sulpiride Suvorexant Tapentadol Telaprevir Telithromycin Temazepam Thiethylperazine Thiopental Thiopropazate Thioproperazine Thioridazine Thiothixene Tilidine Tizanidine Tolonium Chloride Topiramate Tramadol Tranylcypromine Trazodone Triazolam Trifluperidol Triflupromazine Trimeprazine Verapamil Vilazodone Voriconazole Vortioxetine Zaleplon Ziprasidone Zolpidem Zopiclone ZotepineUsing this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
EscitalopramOther Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Ethanol Grapefruit JuiceOther Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Addison disease (adrenal gland problem) or Asthma or Enlarged prostate (BPH, prostatic hypertrophy) or Head injury, history of or Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), severe or Lung or breathing problems (eg, COPD)—May cause side effects to become worse. Blockage in bowels or Constipation or Glaucoma, narrow-angle or Problems with passing urine—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse. Kidney disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.Proper Use of This Medicine
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. If too much of this medicine is taken for a long time, it may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence) or cause an overdose.
This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
You may take the extended-release suspension with or without food.
Measure the extended-release suspension with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid. Rinse the dosing spoon or measuring device with water after each use.
Swallow the extended-release capsule whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Do not mix this medicine with liquids or other medicines.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine 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 this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
For relief of cough and cold or allergy symptoms: For oral dosage form (extended-release capsules): Adults and children 12 years of age and older—One capsule every 12 hours. Each full-strength capsule contains hydrocodone 10 milligrams (mg) and chlorpheniramine 8 mg. Do not take more than 2 capsules in 24 hours. Children 6 to 11 years of age—One capsule every 12 hours. Each half-strength capsule contains hydrocodone 5 mg and chlorpheniramine 4 mg. Do not take more than 2 capsules in 24 hours. Children younger than 6 years of age—Use is not recommended. For oral dosage form (extended-release suspension): Adults and children 12 years of age and older—5 milliliters (mL) every 12 hours. Do not take more than 10 mL in 24 hours. Children 6 to 11 years of age—2.5 mL every 12 hours. Do not take more than 5 mL in 24 hours. Children younger than 6 years of age—Use is not recommended.Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, 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
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
It is very important that your doctor check your progress while you are using this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it.
This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.
Using this medicine can cause severe constipation. To prevent this, your doctor may direct you to take laxatives, drink a lot of fluids, or increase the amount of fiber in your diet. Be sure to follow the directions carefully, because continuing constipation can lead to more serious problems.
This medicine may make you drowsy. 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.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine.
This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that can make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for allergies or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine, other prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of these medicines while you are using this medicine.
If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose of this medicine, get emergency help at once. Signs of an overdose include: pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin, confusion, difficult or troubled breathing, irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing, extreme sleepiness or drowsiness, cold and clammy skin, or lightheadedness or fainting.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
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 immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
Decrease in frequency of urination decrease in urine volume difficult, painful, or troubled breathing difficulty in passing urine (dribbling) irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin tightness in the chestSome side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
Drowsiness false or unusual sense of well-being fear or nervousness itching skin or rash nausea sleepiness unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness vomitingOther side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.