Chlorpheniramine Maleate
About Chlorpheniramine Maleate
Chlorpheniramine Maleate belongs to the class of medication called 'sedating antihistamine' or 'anti-allergic' primarily used to treat symptoms of allergies such as itching nose/throat, runny nose, sneezing or red/itchy/watery eyes. An allergy occurs when foreign elements known as allergens attack and invade our body, thereby causing the release of histamine (a chemical messenger) that causes swelling, inflammation, redness, itchiness, watery nose, throat, and eyes.
Chlorpheniramine Maleate contains Chlorpheniramine, which works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. It directly acts on the brain and relieves symptoms of allergies by preventing the release of histamine. It helps to provide relief from symptoms of allergy such as sneezing, running nose, watery eyes, itching, swelling, and congestion or stiffness.
Take Chlorpheniramine Maleate as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Chlorpheniramine Maleate for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. Some people may experience drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, blurred vision, restlessness, dry mouth, nose or throat. Most of these side effects of Chlorpheniramine Maleate do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Please tell your doctor if you are allergic to Chlorpheniramine Maleate or any other medicines. Please consult a doctor before taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid using Chlorpheniramine Maleate if you have taken drugs such as linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, rasagiline, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine and methylene blue injection in the past 14 days. Drive only if alert, as Chlorpheniramine Maleate may cause blurred vision, drowsiness or dizziness. Avoid consumption of alcohol with Chlorpheniramine Maleate as it may increase the risk of adverse effects. Drink plenty of fluids while taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate to protect yourself from being dehydrated or overheated during exercise and in hot weather, as Chlorpheniramine Maleate decreases sweating and increases the risk of heatstroke.
Uses of Chlorpheniramine Maleate
Medicinal Benefits
Chlorpheniramine Maleate contains Chlorpheniramine, an antihistamine (anti-allergic drug) that works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. Thus, it helps provide relief from allergy symptoms such as sneezing/runny nose, red/itchy/watery eyes, throat swelling, itchy throat, and congestion or stiffness.
Directions for Use
Tablet: Take it with or without food as prescribed by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water. Do not break, crush or chew it. Syrup: Shake the bottle well before use. Take the prescribed dose by mouth using the measuring cup provided by the pack.
Storage
Side Effects of Chlorpheniramine Maleate
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Blurred vision
- Restlessness
- Dry mouth
- Dry nose
- Dry throat
Drug Warnings
Please consult a doctor before taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid using Chlorpheniramine Maleate if you have taken antidepressant medicines such as linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, rasagiline, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine and methylene blue injection (for diagnosis) in the past 14 days. If you have high blood pressure, fits, glaucoma, chronic bronchitis, asthma, cough with mucus, cough caused by smoking, chronic bronchitis or emphysema (a lung condition causing shortness of breath), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), blockage in stomach or intestines, phenylketonuria (a congenital disability that causes accumulation of amino acid, phenylalanine in the body), enlarged prostate, pheochromocytoma (tumour in the adrenal glands), kidney, liver, heart or urinary problems, inform your doctor before taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate. Drive only if alert, as Chlorpheniramine Maleate may cause blurred vision, drowsiness or dizziness. Avoid consumption of alcohol with Chlorpheniramine Maleate as it may increase the risk of adverse effects. Drink plenty of fluids while taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate to protect yourself from being dehydrated or overheated during exercise and in hot weather, as Chlorpheniramine Maleate decreases sweating and increases heatstroke risk.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Chlorpheniramine Maleate may interact with anti-allergic drugs (diphenhydramine, cetirizine), antidepressants (duloxetine), anticonvulsants (phenytoin), antianxiety drug (alprazolam).
Drug-Food Interaction: Chlorpheniramine Maleate may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid consumption of alcohol with Chlorpheniramine Maleate as it may increase the risk of adverse effects such as drowsiness, dizziness or difficulty in concentrating.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have high blood pressure, fits, glaucoma, chronic bronchitis, asthma, cough with mucus, cough caused by smoking, chronic bronchitis or emphysema (a lung condition causing shortness of breath), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), blockage in stomach or intestines, phenylketonuria (a birth defect that causes accumulation of amino acid, phenylalanine in the body), enlarged prostate, pheochromocytoma (tumour in the adrenal glands), kidney, liver, heart or urinary problems, inform your doctor before taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Chlorpheniramine Maleate as it may increase the risk of adverse effects such as drowsiness, dizziness or difficulty in concentrating. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Chlorpheniramine Maleate.
Pregnancy
cautionChlorpheniramine Maleate is a category B pregnancy drug and is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks it is essential. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
cautionChlorpheniramine Maleate is given to breastfeeding women only if the doctor thinks benefits are greater than risks. Please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionChlorpheniramine Maleate may cause blurred vision, drowsiness or dizziness in some people. Therefore, drive only if you are alert and vision is clear after taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate.
Liver
cautionTake Chlorpheniramine Maleate with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Chlorpheniramine Maleate with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
consult your doctorYour doctor will prescribe Chlorpheniramine Maleate based on your child's age, condition, and body weight.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Wash your hands with soap and water regularly to prevent the spread of germs.
- To improve overall health, eat plenty of foods rich in good bacteria, like yoghurt.
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
- Gargle with salt water for relief from sore throat.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol with Chlorpheniramine Maleate as it may cause tiredness, drowsiness or lack of concentration.
Special Advise
- If the symptoms persist or worsen after using Chlorpheniramine Maleate for 1 week, please consult a doctor.
- If you have used any MAO inhibitors or anti-depressant pills like Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Selegiline, or Tranylcypromine in the last 14 days, do not take Chlorpheniramine Maleate.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Allergies: These occur when foreign elements known as allergens attack and invade our body, thereby causing the release of histamines. This chemical messenger 'histamine' causes swelling, inflammation, redness, itchiness, itchy/watery nose and throat, and watery eyes. Allergies generally occur due to chemicals, air pollution, pet dander, dust, pollen hairs, seasonal allergies like hay fever, etc.
FAQs
Chlorpheniramine Maleate is used to treat symptoms of allergies such as itching nose/throat, runny nose, sneezing or red/itchy/watery eyes.
Chlorpheniramine Maleate contains Chlorpheniramine, an anti-allergic drug that works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. Thereby, helps to provide relief from symptoms of allergy such as sneezing, running nose, watery eyes, itching, swelling, and congestion or stiffness.
Chlorpheniramine Maleate may cause dry mouth as a temporary side effect in some people. It is not necessary for everyone taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate to experience this side effect. However, to avoid such side effects, drink plenty of water, regularly rinse your mouth, practice good oral hygiene and suck on sugarless candy. However, if the condition persists or worsens, please consult a doctor.
You are not recommended to take Chlorpheniramine Maleate with alprazolam or any other antipsychotics pills as co-administration of these two medicines may increase adverse effects such as drowsiness, confusion, dizziness and difficulty in concentrating. Please consult a doctor before taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate with any other medicines.
You are recommended to take Chlorpheniramine Maleate for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. However, if the symptoms persist or worsen with rash, fever or persistent headache after 1 week of using Chlorpheniramine Maleate, please consult your doctor.
You recommend avoiding taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate if you have asthma, eye problems like glaucoma, enlarged prostate gland, urinary problems, blockage in stomach or intestines. However, if you have any of these conditions, please inform your doctor before taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate.
Chlorpheniramine Maleate may be used to treat allergic reactions caused by insect bites. Chlorpheniramine Maleate blocks the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. Thereby, helps to provide relief from allergic symptoms. However, please consult a doctor before using Chlorpheniramine Maleate.
Yes, Chlorpheniramine Maleate is effective for relieving allergy symptoms. It contains chlorpheniramine, an antihistamine that helps control symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itching, and watery eyes caused by allergies. However, consult your doctor before taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate.
Yes, Chlorpheniramine Maleate can cause sleepiness as a common side effect. This is due to the antihistamine component, chlorpheniramine, which can induce drowsiness in some individuals. Therefore, avoid activities that requires mental alertness until you know how Chlorpheniramine Maleate affects you.
Using cetirizine along with Chlorpheniramine Maleate is generally not recommended. Both medications are antihistamines and taking them together can increase side effects such as sleepiness, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. However, consult your doctor before using other medicines along with Chlorpheniramine Maleate.
You are recommended to consult your doctor before taking paracetamol or other medicines with Chlorpheniramine Maleate.
Avoid alcohol while taking Chlorpheniramine Maleate. Combining alcohol with Chlorpheniramine Maleate can increase the risk of side effects like sleepiness, dizziness, and difficulty in concentrating.
Take rest for some time. Stay Hydrated by drinking cold water or ginger ale to help settle your stomach. Avoid salty, spicy, fried, or fatty foods.
If you miss a dose of Chlorpheniramine Maleate, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.
Avoid touching your face and rubbing your eyes or nose. Close windows in your home and car during the spring, summer and early fall when pollen counts are higher. Wear a mask to cover your nose, mouth and wear wraparound sunglasses to stop dust from getting into your eyes whenever you step outside.
The common side effects of Chlorpheniramine Maleate are drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, blurred vision, restlessness, dry mouth, nose or throat. If any of these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
