acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and pseudoe... Health Article

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;

• severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness;

• confusion, hallucinations;

• slow, shallow breathing;

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

• increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure); or

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Keep taking the medication and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• mild loss of appetite, upset stomach;

• warmth, tingling, or redness under your skin;

• feeling excited or restless;

• sleep problems (insomnia); or

• skin rash or itching.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and pseudoephedrine?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• celecoxib (Celebrex);

• cinacalcet (Sensipar);

• darifenacin (Enablex);

• imatinib (Gleevec);

• isoniazid;

• quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex);

• ranolazine (Ranexa)

• ritonavir (Norvir);

• sibutramine (Meridia);

• terbinafine (Lamisil);

• zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT);

• medicines to treat high blood pressure;

• an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), and others;

• a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol (Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others;

• gout medications such as probenecid (Benbemid) or sulfinpyrazone; or

• seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and pseudoephedrine or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and pseudoephedrine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has information about acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and pseudoephedrine written for health professionals that you may read.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.