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| Pronunciation |
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 (a
seet a MIN oh fen, klor fen IR a
meen, & soo doe e FED rin) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Alka-Seltzer® Plus Cold
Liqui-Gels®[OTC]; Sinutab® Sinus Allergy Maximum Strength
[OTC]; Thera-Flu® Maximum Strength Flu and Cold
Medicine for Sore Throat [OTC] |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Analgesic, Miscellaneous; Antihistamine |
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine relieves symptoms (runny nose, sneezing, throat
irritation and itching; watery, irritated, itchy, red eyes) from allergies.
- Long-term nasal congestion and headache are treated by
pseudoephedrine.
- Acetaminophen reduces
pain.
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| How does it work? |
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- Acetaminophen reduces pain by preventing production of chemicals
called prostaglandins. This decreases pain.
- Chlorpheniramine, if taken before coming in contact with the material
that causes the allergy, blocks the allergic reaction by minimizing/preventing
the body's reaction to the allergen.
- Pseudoephedrine shrinks swollen nasal tissue and opens up passages.
Sinus drainage is increased by
this.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
- This medicine is most effective if started before contact with the
allergen. Take at least 1-3 hours before.
- Make sure you are drinking enough liquids unless told to drink less by
healthcare provider. Avoid products with caffeine.
- Do not take more than prescribed amount. Liver damage can
occur.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Wear disease medical alert identification for allergies.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines
and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives,
tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake.
Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and
anxiety.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are a heavy drinker. This medicine
mixed with alcohol can cause liver damage.
- Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Use caution if you have liver disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Increased activity or insomnia may be seen in children.
- Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure.
These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like
products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Dizziness. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require
you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may
help.
- Inability to sleep, nervousness, excitability, and
restlessness.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Check effectiveness of medicine in preventing or treating
symptoms.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Chest pains, fast heartbeats, passing out, fainting, or severe
headache.
- Too tired or sleepy.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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