Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol
About Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol
Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol is a medicine used for the short-term relief of a dry cough, runny nose, sneezing, mild pain, and fever associated with colds or upper respiratory infections. It contains chlorpheniramine maleate, codeine phosphate, and paracetamol, which work together to relieve multiple symptoms. Codeine phosphate is an opioid cough suppressant and should only be used exactly as prescribed because it carries a risk of dependence, misuse, and addiction if used for longer than recommended.
Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It can be taken with or without food, although taking it with food may help reduce mild stomach upset. This medicine is intended for short-term use and should not be taken for more than 3 to 5 days unless your doctor advises otherwise. Drinking plenty of fluids, getting adequate rest, and using a cool-mist humidifier may also help soothe your throat and support your recovery.
Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, mild constipation, and nausea. Because this medicine contains codeine, using it for longer than prescribed or in higher doses can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Consult your doctor right away if you develop severe drowsiness, slow or difficult breathing, confusion, or signs of a severe allergic reaction such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Do not take this medicine if you have severe breathing problems, severe asthma, or are allergic to any of its ingredients. Before taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, glaucoma, thyroid disease, diabetes, difficulty passing urine, an enlarged prostate, chronic lung disease, or a history of alcohol or drug dependence. This medicine is generally not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding unless your doctor considers it essential.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines, vitamins, herbal products, and supplements you are taking before starting treatment. Avoid drinking alcohol because it can greatly increase drowsiness, slow your breathing, and increase the risk of liver damage. This medicine is contraindicated in children younger than 12 years and, according to many current guidelines, is not recommended for treating cough or cold symptoms in anyone younger than 18 years. Some people have a rare inherited condition called CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolism, which causes codeine to be converted into morphine more quickly than usual, increasing the risk of life-threatening breathing problems. If your doctor thinks you may be at risk, this medicine may not be suitable for you.
Uses of Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol
Medicinal Benefits
Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol helps relieve multiple cold symptoms with a single medicine, helping you feel more comfortable while your body recovers.
- Provides relief from persistent dry cough: Helps reduce frequent coughing, allowing your throat to rest and making it easier to sleep.
- Improves comfort during a cold: Helps relieve symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, watery eyes, pain, and fever so you can carry out daily activities more comfortably.
- Supports better rest and recovery: By relieving troublesome symptoms, it helps you rest more comfortably while your body recovers.
- Reduces the need for multiple medicines: Combines three active ingredients to manage several cold symptoms with one medicine.
Directions for Use
- Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol can be taken with or without food or as advised by your doctor.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safe and effective use.
- Swallow Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush break or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Drowsiness, sleepiness, or blurred vision
- Dry mouth, nose, or throat
- Mild constipation
- Stomach upset, nausea, or loss of appetite
- Mild dizziness or light-headedness
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Slow, shallow, or difficult breathing
- Extreme sleepiness, confusion, or difficulty waking up
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as a severe skin rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Difficulty passing urine or being unable to urinate
- Severe dizziness or fainting
Drug Warnings
- Contains codeine: Codeine is an opioid and can cause dependence, misuse, or addiction if taken for longer than prescribed or in higher doses than recommended.
- Use for the shortest possible time: Do not take this medicine for more than 3 to 5 days unless your doctor advises otherwise.
- Avoid driving or operating machinery: This medicine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision that can affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
- Check other medicines carefully: Many cough, cold, allergy, and pain medicines also contain paracetamol or antihistamines. Taking them together may increase the risk of an accidental overdose.
- Avoid alcohol completely: Alcohol can greatly increase drowsiness, slow your breathing, and increase the risk of liver damage.
Drug Interactions
- Medicines that slow brain activity: Sleeping tablets, anxiety medicines, muscle relaxants, opioid pain medicines, and certain antipsychotic medicines can greatly increase drowsiness and slow your breathing.
- Certain antidepressants called MAO inhibitors: Medicines such as phenelzine or selegiline should not be taken with Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol because they can cause serious side effects.
- Other medicines containing paracetamol: Taking several paracetamol-containing medicines together increases the risk of liver damage.
- Other opioid medicines: Using more than one opioid medicine at the same time increases the risk of severe drowsiness, breathing problems, and overdose.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol, as it may increase drowsiness. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorIf you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, please consult your doctor before using Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol, as it may harm an unborn baby.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorChlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol may pass into the breast milk and cause unwanted effects like breathing problems and excessive sleep. Therefore, please consult a doctor.
Driving
unsafeDo not drive or operate machinery during treatment with Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol, as it may cause blurred vision or dizziness.
Liver
cautionIf you have any liver disease, inform your doctor before taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol, as it is advised only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
cautionIf you have any kidney impairment/disease, inform your doctor before taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol, as it is advised only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Children
consult your doctorPlease consult your doctor if you have concerns regarding the safety of Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Drink plenty of fluids: Warm water, herbal teas, and clear soups can help soothe your throat and keep your airways moist.
- Use a cool-mist humidifier: Keeping the air moist may help reduce throat irritation and make breathing more comfortable.
- Avoid smoking and second-hand smoke: Tobacco smoke, dust, and strong fumes can worsen your cough and delay recovery.
- Eat fibre-rich foods: Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and adequate fluids may help reduce constipation caused by codeine.
- Get adequate rest: Rest gives your body time to recover from the infection more effectively.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Cold (Common Cold): The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, primarily caused by rhinoviruses. It spreads through droplets from coughs and sneezes or through direct contact with contaminated surfaces. Typical symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat, cough, nasal congestion, sneezing, mild fever, and general fatigue. Most colds resolve within a week or two without the need for medication.
Allergies: Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to harmless substances, causing symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itching, and skin rashes. Exposure to allergens, genetic factors, and immune system sensitivity can cause allergies. Family history, asthma, and environmental pollution increase the risk. Allergies can be seasonal, food-related, drug-induced, or skin-related, like eczema.
FAQs
Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol is used to treat common colds and allergies. It also helps with sneezing, a runny nose, and breathing difficulties in conditions like sinusitis (sinus infection) and bronchitis (chest infection).
Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol is a combination of three drugs: Paracetamol (analgesic), Codeine (opioid analgesic), and Chlorpheniramine (antihistamine). Paracetamol works by blocking pain signals in the brain and lowering body temperature to reduce fever. Codeine acts on opioid receptors in the brain, helping to relieve pain and suppress cough. Chlorpheniramine works by blocking histamine, reducing allergy symptoms like sneezing and congestion. Together, this combination helps manage pain, fever, cough, and allergy symptoms effectively.
Your doctor will determine the appropriate treatment duration for Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol based on your health needs. Never discontinue Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol without your doctor’s advice to avoid potential complications.
The common side effects of the Chlorpheniramine Maleate+codeine Phosphate+paracetamol are drowsiness, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, upset stomach, nausea, constipation, or dry mouth. Please consult your doctor if these side effects persist longer.
No. This medicine can make you feel sleepy, dizzy, or less alert. Do not drive, cycle, or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
No. Alcohol can greatly increase drowsiness, slow your breathing, and increase the risk of liver damage while taking this medicine. Avoid alcohol throughout your treatment.
This medicine is generally not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding unless your doctor decides the benefits outweigh the risks. Codeine can pass to the baby and may cause serious side effects.
If your cough lasts for more than a few days, keeps returning, or is accompanied by a high fever, chest pain, persistent headache, or difficulty breathing, consult your doctor for further assessment rather than continuing the medicine on your own.
Do not take other cough, cold, allergy, or pain medicines without checking with your doctor or pharmacist first. Many products contain paracetamol or similar ingredients that may increase the risk of side effects or accidental overdose.
No. Because this medicine contains codeine, it is contraindicated in children younger than 12 years. In many current treatment guidelines, it is also not recommended for treating cough or cold symptoms in anyone younger than 18 years because of the risk of serious breathing problems, particularly in children who rapidly convert codeine into morphine (CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolisers).
Yes. Constipation is a common side effect of codeine. Drinking plenty of fluids and eating fibre-rich foods may help. Because codeine is an opioid, taking it for longer than prescribed or in higher doses can also lead to dependence. Always take this medicine exactly as prescribed.
