The information on this site is intended to supplement and enhance, not replace, the advice of a physician who is familiar with your medical history. Decisions about your health should always be made ONLY after detailed conversation with your doctor.
Generic drug name:
chlorpheniramine
(klor fen EER a meen)
Brand name(s):
ALERMINE,
CHLOR-TRIMETON
GENERIC:
available
FAMILY:
Antihistamines
Find the drug label by
searching at DailyMed.
Generic drug name:
chlorpheniramine injection
Brand name(s):
GENERIC:
not available
FAMILY:
Antihistamines
Find the drug label by
searching at DailyMed.
Generic drug name:
diphenhydramine
(di fen HYE dra meen)
Brand name(s):
BENADRYL,
DYTAN SUSPENSION,
DYTAN-D SUSPENSION,
SOMINEX FORMULA
GENERIC:
available
FAMILY:
Antihistamines
Find the drug label by
searching at DailyMed.
Generic drug name:
diphenhydramine injection
Brand name(s):
GENERIC:
not available
FAMILY:
Antihistamines
Find the drug label by
searching at DailyMed.
Pregnancy and Breast-feeding Warnings [top]
Pregnancy and Breast-feeding Warnings
There is no information in the labels for these drugs. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist if you already are or are planning to become pregnant or to breast-feed.
Safety Warnings For This Drug [top]
Anticholinergic Effects
Warning: Special Mental and Physical Adverse Effects
Older adults are especially sensitive to the harmful anticholinergic effects of these drugs. Drugs in this family should not be used unless absolutely necessary.
Mental Effects: confusion, delirium, short-term memory problems, disorientation and impaired attention
Physical Effects: dry mouth, constipation, difficulty urinating (especially for a man with an enlarged prostate), blurred vision, decreased sweating with increased body temperature, sexual dysfunction and worsening of glaucoma
Non-Drug Approaches to Allergies
Avoid exposure to things that trigger your allergies or asthma, such as animals, bedding, chemicals, cosmetics, drugs, dust, mold, foods, pollens, or smoke. Wearing a mask reduces inhalation of drugs, pollens, and smoke. Many people with mildly red, itching eyes require no treatment. Cold compresses to the eyes may prove helpful. Using eye drops with vasoconstrictors whitens eyes for a while, but rebound redness can occur. Misuse of vasoconstrictors sets up a vicious cycle.
Facts About This Drug [top]
Chlorpheniramine relieves the symptoms of hay fever and other allergic reactions. Diphenhydramine is used to treat allergic reactions, coughing, insomnia and motion sickness.
Do not use these drugs to treat a cold. Colds and allergies have different causes, and chlorpheniramine is not effective against either the cause of a cold or its symptoms. In fact, these drugs can make a cold or cough worse by thickening nasal secretions and drying mucous membranes.
These drugs can cause harmful...
Chlorpheniramine relieves the symptoms of hay fever and other allergic reactions. Diphenhydramine is used to treat allergic reactions, coughing, insomnia and motion sickness.
Do not use these drugs to treat a cold. Colds and allergies have different causes, and chlorpheniramine is not effective against either the cause of a cold or its symptoms. In fact, these drugs can make a cold or cough worse by thickening nasal secretions and drying mucous membranes.
These drugs can cause harmful adverse effects, most commonly in people over 60. These effects include confusion, dizziness or fainting; difficult or painful urination; dry mouth, nose or throat; nightmares; and unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness or irritability. If you have any of these symptoms while taking chlorpheniramine, ask your doctor about changing your dose or discontinuing this drug. Since older people can be more sensitive to the usual adult dose, start with a low dose. This may decrease adverse effects.
In 2015, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine showed that strong anticholinergic drugs such as chlorpheniramine and diphenhydramine were associated with an increased risk of dementia in older adults.[1],[2]
2020: The FDA issued an advisory that when patients take a higher-than-recommended dose of diphenhydramine, heart problems, seizures, coma or even death can occur.[3]
Before You Use This Drug [top]
Tell your doctor if you have or have had:
Tell your doctor about any other drugs you take, including aspirin, herbs, vitamins, and other nonprescription products.
When You Use This Drug [top]
How to Use This Drug [top]
Interactions with Other Drugs [top]
The following drugs, biologics (e.g., vaccines, therapeutic antibodies), or foods are listed in Evaluations of Drug Interactions 2003 as causing “highly clinically significant” or “clinically significant” interactions when used together with any of the drugs in this section. In some sections with multiple drugs, the interaction may have been reported for one but not all drugs in this section, but we include the interaction because the drugs in this section are similar to one another. We have also included potentially serious interactions listed in the drug’s FDA-approved professional package insert or in published medical journal articles. There may be other drugs, especially those in the families of drugs listed below, that also will react with this drug to cause severe adverse effects. Make sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist the drugs you are taking and tell them if you are taking any of these interacting drugs:
alcohol, DILANTIN, phenytoin, RESTORIL, temazepam.
Antihistamines, when taken together with other drugs that affect the central nervous system (CNS), will cause additional drowsiness.
Adverse Effects [top]
Call your doctor immediately if you experience:
Call your doctor if these symptoms continue:
Signs of overdose:
If you suspect an overdose, call this number to contact your poison control center: (800) 222-1222.
last reviewed February 29, 2024
Worst Pills, Best Pills is a project of Public Citizen's Health Research Group Group. As an independent, nonprofit organization, we take no corporate or government contributions and accept no advertising. Copyright © 2024 Public Citizen's Health Research Group. All rights reserved.
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