Chlorphen SR: Uses, indications and cautions when using

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Chlorphen SR, also known as Chlorpheniramine, is an antihistamine used to relieve symptoms of allergies, hay fever, and the common cold. To ensure the effectiveness of the drug, the patient must strictly follow the instructions of the doctor or pharmacist.

1. Overview of the drug Chlorphen SR

Chlorphen SR medicine works by blocking 2 natural chemicals made by the body, namely:
One is the histamine that the body produces during an allergic reaction. The second is acetylcholine, which helps dry up some of the fluids in the body, thereby controlling the symptoms of watery eyes and runny nose. Cough and cold medicines have not been shown to be safe or effective for children younger than 6 years of age. Therefore, do not use this product to treat cold symptoms in children under 6 years of age unless specifically directed by a doctor. Some products are not recommended for use by children under 12 years of age. So ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details on how to use the product safely.
Chlorphen SR medicines do not cure or shorten the duration of the common cold, moreover can cause side effects. To reduce your risk of serious side effects, follow all dosage instructions carefully. Do not use this product, as well as other cough and cold medicines that contain similar ingredients to make your child drowsy.
Your doctor or pharmacist can advise other ways to relieve cough and cold symptoms, such as:
Drink plenty of water Use a humidifier Saline nose drops/spray. SEE ALSO: Chlorpheniramine allergy medicine: Uses, indications and notes when using

2. How to use Chlorphen SR

If you are taking an over-the-counter product, read all directions on the product packaging before taking it. Consult your pharmacist if you have any questions. If prescribed by your doctor, take it exactly as directed on the prescription.
Tablets, capsules or liquids are taken orally, with or without food. This medicine may be taken with food or milk if an upset stomach occurs. Swallow whole without crushing or chewing.

If you are taking a sustained-release capsule, swallow it whole. Do not crush or chew to avoid releasing all the medicine at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Also, do not split the tablets yourself unless told to by your doctor or pharmacist.
If taking liquid medication, use specialized dosimetry equipment carefully. Do not use an ordinary household spoon. Shake the bottle well before each use.
Dosage is based on age, medical condition and response to therapy. Do not increase your dose or take it more often than recommended by your doctor or directed on the package. Taking the medicine exactly as directed will maximize the benefits. To avoid forgetting, take your medicine at the same time each day.
If your condition persists or gets worse, or you suspect you have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.

3. Chlorphen SR . side effects

Side effects when using Chlorphen SR can occur such as drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, stomach pain, blurred vision or dry mouth/nose/throat. If side effects persist or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist right away.
To relieve dry mouth, suck on hard candy (sugar-free) or shaved ice, chew gum (sugar-free) or drink water. If you are using delayed-release capsules, empty capsule shells may appear in the stool. However, this is harmless.
It should be noted that when you were prescribed Chlorphen SR, your doctor judged that the benefits of treatment outweighed the risk of side effects. There are still many cases of using this drug safely, without serious side effects.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, you should also tell your doctor right away:
Mental/mood changes (such as restlessness, confusion) Difficulty urinating Tachycardia / erratic. Seek medical help right away if you experience very serious side effects, including seizures. In fact, it is very unlikely that a serious allergic reaction to Chlorpheniramine will occur. However, get medical help right away if you notice any of the following serious symptoms of an allergic reaction:
Rash Itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat) Severe dizziness Difficulty breathe. Also, if you experience side effects other than those listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist for help.

4. Caution when using Chlorphen SR

Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to chlorpheniramine or dexchlorpheniramine or any other allergic condition. This product may contain inactive (inactivated) ingredients, which may cause allergic reactions or other problems. Drug users should ask the pharmacist for more details.
You also need to tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history before taking the medicine, especially of:
Respiratory problems (such as asthma, emphysema ) Glaucoma Problems heart problems High blood pressure Liver disease Epilepsy Stomach/intestinal problems (such as ulcers, blockages) An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) Difficulty urinating (due to an enlarged prostate). The medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or blur your vision. Using alcohol or marijuana can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Therefore, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything that requires alertness and clear vision until you are safe. Talk to your prescriber if you are using marijuana or alcohol. To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly from sitting or lying down.
Liquid products may contain aspartame (artificial sweetener), sugar and/or alcohol. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcoholism, liver disease, phenylketonuria (PKU), or any other condition that requires limiting/avoiding these substances in your diet. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about how to use this product safely.
Before surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (such as prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Chlorphen SR, especially drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, constipation, or trouble urinating. In particular, drowsiness, dizziness and confusion may increase the risk of falls in the elderly.
Children may also be more sensitive to the side effects of this medicine, especially euphoria in young children rather than drowsiness. During pregnancy, the drug should be used only when clearly needed and carefully weighed by your doctor about the risks versus benefits. Based on information from related medicines, Chlorphen SR may pass into breast milk. Therefore, users should consult their doctor before breast-feeding.

5. Chlorphen SR . drug interactions

Drug interactions can change the way Chlorphen SR works or increase your risk of serious side effects. Make a list of all the medications you take (including prescription/over-the-counter and herbal medicines), then share them with known doctors and pharmacists. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine without your doctor's approval.
Products that may interact with this drug are topical antihistamines such as:
Diphenhydramine Cream Ointment Spray. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness such as:
Opioid pain relievers Cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone) Alcohol Cannabis Sleeping or anxiety control drugs (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem) Muscle relaxants (eg carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine) Other antihistamines (eg cetirizine, diphenhydramine). Check the labels on all medicines you're taking (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using these combinations safely.
Chlorpheniramine is very similar to dexchlorpheniramine. Therefore, do not use medications containing dexchlorpheniramine while using chlorpheniramine.

6. Some other notes when using Chlorphen SR

6.1. Overdose If you have overdosed and have severe symptoms such as passing out or having trouble breathing, call 911 or a poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include:
Large pupils Flushed face Fever Hallucinations Weakness Tremor Muscle convulsions Loss of consciousness Convulsions. In children, excitement may appear first, followed by loss of control, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, convulsions.
6.2. Missed dose If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Take the next dose at the usual time and do not need to double the dose to make up for the missed dose.
6.3. Storage Store the medicine at room temperature between 59 - 86°F (15 - 30°C), away from light and moisture. Do not store medicine in the bathroom. Do not freeze the liquid form of Chlorphen SR. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medication down the toilet or down the drain unless directed to do so by a professional. Dispose of the product properly when it has expired or is no longer needed.
Finally, do not arbitrarily share and share prescribed medications with others. Make sure your visits and tests are on time. Do not take medication for a few days before an allergy test to avoid affecting the results.

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Reference source: webmd.com