Ed A-Hist DM 10mg-4mg-10mg Tablets
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To use this medication correctly, follow your doctor's instructions and read all the information provided. You can take this medication with or without food. If it causes stomach upset, taking it with food may help.
Storing and Disposing of Your Medication
Keep your medication at room temperature in a dry place, avoiding storage in a bathroom. Ensure all medications are stored safely and out of reach of children and pets. When disposing of unused or expired medication, do not flush it down the toilet or pour it down the drain unless instructed to do so. If you're unsure about the best disposal method, consult your pharmacist. You may also have access to drug take-back programs in your area.
Missing a Dose
If you take this medication regularly and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it's close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time or extra doses. If you take this medication as needed, follow your doctor's instructions and do not take it more frequently than advised.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you, as it may cause drowsiness or dizziness.
- Avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants while taking this medication, as they can increase drowsiness.
- Drink plenty of fluids to help loosen mucus and soothe a sore throat.
- Do not exceed the recommended dose, as this can lead to serious side effects.
- If symptoms do not improve within 7 days or are accompanied by fever, rash, or persistent headache, consult a doctor.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
Side Effects
Although rare, this medication can cause severe and potentially life-threatening side effects. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical help right away:
Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of high blood pressure, including:
+ Severe headache
+ Dizziness
+ Fainting
+ Changes in eyesight
Chest pain or pressure
Rapid heartbeat
Shakiness
Other Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. While many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones, it's essential to discuss any concerns with your doctor. If you experience any of the following side effects or any other unusual symptoms that bother you or do not go away, contact your doctor:
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Feeling nervous and excitable
* Trouble sleeping
Reporting Side Effects
This list is not exhaustive, and you may experience other side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, consult your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Severe dizziness or drowsiness
- Nervousness, restlessness, or trouble sleeping
- Fast or pounding heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Difficulty urinating
- Blurred vision
- Hallucinations or confusion
- Signs of serotonin syndrome (agitation, sweating, muscle stiffness, shivering, diarrhea, rapid heart rate)
- Allergic reaction (rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing)
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the allergic reaction you experienced, including any symptoms that occurred.
If you have a cough that produces a significant amount of mucus, a chronic cough caused by smoking or exposure to smoke, or lung conditions like asthma or emphysema.
If you have taken certain medications for depression or Parkinson's disease within the last 14 days, including isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline, or rasagiline, as this may increase the risk of severely high blood pressure.
If you are currently taking linezolid or methylene blue, as these medications can interact with this drug.
To ensure your safety, it is crucial to provide your doctor and pharmacist with a comprehensive list of all your medications, including:
Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs
Natural products
* Vitamins
Additionally, inform them about any existing health problems. This information will help your doctor determine whether it is safe for you to take this medication with your other medications and health conditions. Never start, stop, or change the dosage of any medication without first consulting your doctor.
Precautions & Cautions
To minimize the risk of severe side effects, adhere strictly to the dosage instructions provided by your doctor. Do not exceed the recommended dose, as this may increase your likelihood of experiencing adverse effects. Additionally, do not take this medication for a longer duration than prescribed by your doctor.
While taking this drug, it is recommended that you avoid consuming alcohol. Before using marijuana, other forms of cannabis, or any prescription or over-the-counter medications that may cause drowsiness, consult with your doctor to discuss potential interactions.
When administering this medication to a child, exercise caution, as children may be at a higher risk of experiencing excitability. It is crucial to note that different brands of this medication may be suitable for children of various ages. Therefore, consult with your doctor before giving this drug to a child. Furthermore, do not use this medication as a means to induce sleep in a child; instead, discuss alternative solutions with your doctor.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding, inform your doctor. It is necessary to have a discussion about the potential benefits and risks of this medication to both you and your baby.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Severe drowsiness or dizziness
- Nausea, vomiting
- Excitement, restlessness, or irritability
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Dilated pupils
- Difficulty breathing
- Coma
What to Do:
Seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 or your local poison control center (1-800-222-1222 in the US).
Drug Interactions
Contraindicated Interactions
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) (concurrent use or within 14 days of stopping MAOIs due to risk of hypertensive crisis with phenylephrine and serotonin syndrome with dextromethorphan)
Major Interactions
- Other sympathomimetics (e.g., pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, stimulants) - increased cardiovascular effects
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) - potentiated pressor effects of phenylephrine
- Beta-blockers (non-selective) - increased risk of hypertension and bradycardia with phenylephrine
- CNS depressants (e.g., alcohol, sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics, opioids) - increased sedation and respiratory depression with chlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan
- Anticholinergic drugs (e.g., atropine, some antipsychotics, TCAs) - increased anticholinergic side effects with chlorpheniramine
- Serotonergic drugs (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans, linezolid, St. John's Wort) - increased risk of serotonin syndrome with dextromethorphan
- CYP2D6 inhibitors (e.g., fluoxetine, paroxetine, quinidine) - increased dextromethorphan and chlorpheniramine levels, potentially leading to toxicity
Moderate Interactions
- Digoxin - potential for increased cardiac effects with phenylephrine
- Antihypertensives - phenylephrine may reduce the effect of antihypertensive medications
- Metoclopramide - may affect absorption of other drugs
Minor Interactions
- Food (see pharmacokinetics)
Monitoring
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Daily, as needed
Target: Reduction in symptoms
Action Threshold: Lack of improvement or worsening of symptoms after several days of use
Frequency: Periodically, if concerns arise
Target: Within patient's normal range
Action Threshold: Significant increase in blood pressure
Frequency: Periodically, if concerns arise
Target: Within patient's normal range
Action Threshold: Significant increase in heart rate or palpitations
Symptom Monitoring
- Drowsiness or sedation
- Dizziness
- Nervousness or restlessness
- Insomnia
- Dry mouth, nose, or throat
- Blurred vision
- Urinary difficulty
- Constipation
- Signs of serotonin syndrome (agitation, hallucinations, rapid heart rate, fever, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, incoordination)
- Signs of allergic reaction (rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing)
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Generally not recommended during pregnancy due to the presence of phenylephrine (Category C) and dextromethorphan (Category C), and chlorpheniramine (Category B/C). Consult a healthcare provider before use.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
Use is generally not recommended. All three components are excreted into breast milk. Chlorpheniramine can cause drowsiness in the infant and may decrease milk supply. Phenylephrine can cause irritability and may decrease milk supply. Dextromethorphan can cause drowsiness in the infant. Consult a healthcare provider.
Pediatric Use
Not recommended for children under 6 years of age due to potential for serious side effects, including overdose. For children 6-12 years, use only under the guidance of a healthcare professional and with specific pediatric formulations/dosing. Adolescents (12 years and older) can generally follow adult dosing.
Geriatric Use
Use with caution in elderly patients (65 years and older) due to increased susceptibility to anticholinergic effects (e.g., confusion, urinary retention, constipation, dry mouth) from chlorpheniramine and cardiovascular effects (e.g., increased blood pressure, heart rate) from phenylephrine. Start with lower doses and monitor closely.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- This combination product is designed for multi-symptom relief of cold, cough, and allergy symptoms. Ensure the patient's symptoms align with the active ingredients to avoid unnecessary drug exposure.
- Counsel patients on the potential for drowsiness and to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until they know how the medication affects them.
- Emphasize the critical interaction with MAOIs; patients must be explicitly warned about this.
- Advise patients with underlying conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, glaucoma, or prostate enlargement to consult a doctor before use.
- Over-the-counter cough and cold products should not be used in children under 6 years of age.
- Be aware of the risk of serotonin syndrome, especially if patients are taking other serotonergic medications.
Alternative Therapies
- Single-ingredient antihistamines (e.g., loratadine, cetirizine for non-drowsy allergy relief)
- Single-ingredient decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine, oxymetazoline nasal spray)
- Single-ingredient antitussives (e.g., guaifenesin, benzonatate)
- Non-pharmacological remedies (e.g., saline nasal sprays, humidifiers, honey for cough, rest, fluids)