Carbetapentane; Phenylephrine Oral Suspension

What is this medicine?

CARBETAPENTANE; PHENYLEPHRINE (kar bay ta PEN tane; fen il EF rin) is a combination of an antihistamine and a decongestant. It is used to treat the symptoms of allergy, colds, asthma, and bronchitis. This medicine will not treat an infection.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Shake well before using. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure your medicine. Household spoons are not accurate. Take your doses at regular times. Do not take more medicine than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• fast, irregular heartbeat

• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

• high or low blood pressure

• pale skin, sweating

• seizures

• tremors

• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation

• dry mouth, nose, throat

• drowsy, sleepy

• headache

• irritable, nervous, restless

• stomach upset, nausea

• trouble sleeping

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• bromocriptine

• ergot alkaloids like dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine

• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

• stimulants

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• alcohol

• barbiturates, like phenobarbital

• mecamylamine

• medicines for chest pain, heart disease, blood pressure, irregular heart beat

• medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances

• medicines for sleep

• other medicines for cold, cough or allergy

• procarbazine

• reserpine

• some herbal or nutritional supplements like St. John's Wort

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• diabetes

• difficulty passing urine

• glaucoma

• heart disease

• high blood pressure

• phenylketonuria

• taken an MAOI like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate in last 14 days

• thyroid disease

• an unusual or allergic reaction to carbetapentane, phenylephrine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.