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| Pronunciation |
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 (kar
bi NOKS a meen, soo doe e FED
rin, & deks troe meth OR fan) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Carbodec DM®; Cardec DM®;
Pseudo-Car® DM; Rondamine-DM® Drops; Rondec®-DM;
Tussafed®
Drops |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antihistamine/Decongestant/Antitussive |
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- Carbinoxamine relieves symptoms (runny nose; sneezing; throat
irritation and itching; watery, irritated, itchy, red eyes) from allergies.
- Pseudoephedrine is used to treat long-term nasal congestion and
headaches.
- Dextromethorphan suppresses
coughing.
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| How does it work? |
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- Carbinoxamine, 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.
- Dextromethorphan acts by affecting the brain's cough
center.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- Take last dose at least a few hours before bed. Medicine may cause
inability to sleep.
- A liquid (syrup, drops) is available if you cannot swallow pills.
Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube
before and after medicine is given.
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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.
- This medicine may also be taken on an as needed basis depending on
relief of symptoms, duration of cold, or
allergy.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Wear disease medical alert identification for allergies.
- Increased activity or inability to sleep may be seen in children.
- Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake.
Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and
anxiety.
- Pseudoephedrine can cause insomnia.
- Not for coughs due to smoking, asthma, or chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease.
- Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- 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, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- 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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- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Inability to sleep, nervousness and excitability, and
restlessness.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Watch for change in symptoms. Is condition better, worse, or about the
same?
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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 pain, fast heartbeats, passing out, fainting, or severe
headache.
- If cough continues for more than 1 week or tends to return.
- 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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