Generic name: Brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, methscopolamine, phenylephrine, and pseudoephedrine
Pregnancy & Lactation: Risk data not available
What is Sympak II?
Brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, and methscopolamine are antihistamines that reduce the effects of the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.
Phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine are decongestants that shrink blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).
Brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, methscopolamine, phenylephrine, and pseudoephedrine is a combination medicine used to treat runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and sinus congestion caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.
This combination medicine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.
You should not use this medicine if you have severe constipation, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, or if you are unable to urinate.
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- asthma or COPD;
- high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease;
- glaucoma;
- an overactive thyroid;
- diabetes;
- liver or kidney disease;
- epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
- cough with mucus, or cough caused by smoking, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis;
- enlarged prostate or urination problems;
- low blood pressure;
- pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumor); or
- if you take potassium (Cytra, Epiklor, K-Lyte, K-Phos, Kaon, Klor-Con, Polycitra, Urocit-K).
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
This medicine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Antihistamines and decongestants may also slow breast milk production. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I use Sympak II
Use Sympak II (Oral) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Cough or cold medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.
You should not use antihistamine medication to make a child sleepy.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.
If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon or doctor ahead of time if you have taken a cold medicine within the past few days.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Since cold medicine is taken when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sympak II side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:
- pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
- shortness of breath;
- mood changes;
- tremor, seizure (convulsions);
- double vision;
- ongoing diarrhea or vomiting;
- little or no urination;
- easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or
- high blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, nosebleed, anxiety.
Side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, and confusion may be more likely in older adults.
Common side effects may include:
- headache, dizziness, drowsiness;
- dry mouth, nose, or throat;
- tingly feeling;
- nausea, bloating, constipation;
- blurred vision;
- feeling nervous or restless;
- sleep problems (insomnia); or
- decreased sweating.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Sympak II?
This medicine may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, cough, or sleep medicine. Many combination medicines contain antihistamines or decongestants. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of a certain drug. Check the label to see if a medicine contains an antihistamine or decongestant.
Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. This medication can decrease sweating and you may be more prone to heat stroke.