Nohist-DM Liquid

Manufacturer LARKEN LABORATORIES, INC. Active Ingredient Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine, and Dextromethorphan Liquid(klor fen IR a meen, fen il EF rin, & deks troe meth OR fan) Pronunciation KLOR-fen-IR-uh-meen, fen-il-EF-rin, & deks-troe-meth-OR-fan
It is used to treat nose stuffiness.It is used to ease allergy signs.It is used to relieve coughing.
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Drug Class
Antihistamine, Decongestant, Antitussive
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Pharmacologic Class
First-generation H1-antagonist, Alpha-1 adrenergic agonist, NMDA receptor antagonist (sigma-1 agonist)
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Pregnancy Category
Category C
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FDA Approved
Jan 1970
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DEA Schedule
Not Controlled

Overview

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What is this medicine?

Nohist-DM Liquid is a combination medicine used to relieve symptoms of the common cold, allergies, or other breathing illnesses. It contains an antihistamine (chlorpheniramine) to reduce sneezing and runny nose, a decongestant (phenylephrine) to clear stuffy nose, and a cough suppressant (dextromethorphan) to reduce coughing.
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How to Use This Medicine

Taking Your Medication

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, take it with food to help minimize this side effect. When taking the liquid form, measure the dose carefully using the measuring device that comes with the medication. If no device is provided, ask your pharmacist for a suitable measuring tool.

Storing and Disposing of Your Medication

Store this medication at room temperature in a dry location, avoiding the bathroom. Keep all medications in a safe place, out of the reach of children and pets. Dispose of unused or expired medications properly. Do not flush them down the toilet or pour them down the drain unless instructed to do so. If you have questions about disposing of your medication, consult your pharmacist. You may also want to check if there are drug take-back programs available 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 take extra doses. If you take this medication as needed, do not take it more frequently than directed by your doctor.
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Lifestyle & Tips

  • Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how this medicine affects you, as it may cause drowsiness or dizziness.
  • Avoid alcohol consumption while taking this medication, as it can increase drowsiness.
  • Drink plenty of fluids to help loosen mucus and soothe a sore throat.
  • Do not exceed the recommended dose or frequency.
  • Consult a doctor before use if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, glaucoma, or prostate enlargement.
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Available Forms & Alternatives

Dosing & Administration

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Adult Dosing

Standard Dose: 10 mL every 4 hours as needed
Dose Range: 10 - 20 mg

Condition-Specific Dosing:

maxDailyDose: Do not exceed 6 doses (60 mL) in 24 hours
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Pediatric Dosing

Neonatal: Not established (Contraindicated)
Infant: Not established (Contraindicated for children under 2-4 years depending on specific product labeling)
Child: 6-12 years: 5 mL every 4 hours as needed (Max 6 doses/24 hours); 2-6 years: Consult a physician (often not recommended)
Adolescent: 12 years and older: 10 mL every 4 hours as needed (Max 6 doses/24 hours)
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Dose Adjustments

Renal Impairment:

Mild: Use with caution; consider reduced frequency
Moderate: Use with caution; consider reduced dose or extended interval
Severe: Contraindicated or significantly reduced dose/extended interval; consult physician
Dialysis: Not well studied; use with extreme caution, likely avoid due to anticholinergic effects and potential for accumulation

Hepatic Impairment:

Mild: Use with caution
Moderate: Use with caution; consider reduced dose or extended interval
Severe: Contraindicated or significantly reduced dose/extended interval; consult physician

Pharmacology

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Mechanism of Action

Chlorpheniramine is a first-generation antihistamine that competitively blocks H1 receptors, reducing histamine-mediated symptoms like sneezing, rhinorrhea, and watery eyes. It also has anticholinergic properties. Phenylephrine is a direct-acting sympathomimetic amine that primarily acts as an alpha-1 adrenergic agonist, causing vasoconstriction in the nasal mucosa, leading to decongestion. Dextromethorphan is an antitussive that acts centrally on the cough center in the medulla to elevate the cough threshold. Its mechanism is thought to involve sigma-1 receptor agonism and non-competitive antagonism of NMDA receptors.
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Pharmacokinetics

Absorption:

Bioavailability: Chlorpheniramine: 25-50%; Phenylephrine: Low (due to first-pass metabolism); Dextromethorphan: High
Tmax: Chlorpheniramine: 2.5-6 hours; Phenylephrine: 0.5-2 hours; Dextromethorphan: 2-2.5 hours
FoodEffect: Chlorpheniramine: May delay absorption; Phenylephrine: No significant effect; Dextromethorphan: No significant effect

Distribution:

Vd: Chlorpheniramine: 3.2 L/kg; Phenylephrine: Not well established; Dextromethorphan: 5-6 L/kg
ProteinBinding: Chlorpheniramine: 69-72%; Phenylephrine: Not well established; Dextromethorphan: 60-70%
CnssPenetration: Chlorpheniramine: Yes (significant); Phenylephrine: Limited; Dextromethorphan: Yes

Elimination:

HalfLife: Chlorpheniramine: 12-43 hours; Phenylephrine: 2-3 hours; Dextromethorphan: 1.4-3.9 hours (parent drug), 10-26 hours (dextrorphan)
Clearance: Chlorpheniramine: 1.5-2.5 mL/min/kg; Phenylephrine: Not well established; Dextromethorphan: Not well established
ExcretionRoute: Renal
Unchanged: Chlorpheniramine: 3-10%; Phenylephrine: <1%; Dextromethorphan: <1% (parent drug)
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Pharmacodynamics

OnsetOfAction: Chlorpheniramine: 15-60 minutes; Phenylephrine: 15-30 minutes; Dextromethorphan: 15-30 minutes
PeakEffect: Chlorpheniramine: 2-6 hours; Phenylephrine: 1-2 hours; Dextromethorphan: 1-2 hours
DurationOfAction: Chlorpheniramine: 4-6 hours; Phenylephrine: 4 hours; Dextromethorphan: 5-6 hours
Confidence: Medium

Safety & Warnings

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Side Effects

Urgent Side Effects: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
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
Fast 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 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, contact your doctor for medical advice. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
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Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:

  • Severe dizziness or drowsiness
  • Nervousness, restlessness, or trouble sleeping
  • Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats
  • Severe headache
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Rash or itching
  • Any signs of an allergic reaction (e.g., swelling of face/tongue/throat, severe dizziness, trouble breathing)
  • If cough or congestion worsens or lasts more than 7 days, or if accompanied by fever, rash, or persistent headache.
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Before Using This Medicine

Before Taking This Medication: Important Information to Share with Your Doctor

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.
Respiratory issues, such as a cough that produces a significant amount of mucus, a persistent 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 lead to 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) medications
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.
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Precautions & Cautions

It is essential to inform all your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication.

Until you are aware of how this drug affects you, avoid operating a vehicle or engaging in any activities that require your full attention.

Adhere strictly to the dosage prescribed by your doctor. Taking more than the recommended dose may increase your risk of experiencing severe side effects. Additionally, do not take this medication for a longer duration than prescribed by your doctor.

While taking this drug, refrain from 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.

If the patient is a child, exercise caution when administering this drug, as children may have a higher risk of experiencing excitability. Note that different brands of this medication may be suitable for different age groups of children, so it is crucial to consult with the 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 this with the doctor.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, inform your doctor. It is necessary to discuss the potential benefits and risks of this medication to both you and your baby.
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Overdose Information

Overdose Symptoms:

  • Severe drowsiness or agitation
  • Hallucinations
  • Seizures
  • Rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat
  • High blood pressure, then possibly low blood pressure
  • Dilated pupils
  • Flushing
  • Dry mouth, urinary retention
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Respiratory depression
  • Coma

What to Do:

Seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Bring the medication bottle with you.

Drug Interactions

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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)
  • Linezolid (due to MAOI activity)
  • Methylene Blue (due to MAOI activity)
  • Severe uncontrolled hypertension (due to phenylephrine)
  • Narrow-angle glaucoma (due to chlorpheniramine's anticholinergic effects)
  • Urinary retention (due to chlorpheniramine's anticholinergic effects)
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Major Interactions

  • CNS depressants (e.g., alcohol, sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics, opioids) - increased sedation and respiratory depression (chlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan)
  • Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) - enhanced pressor effect of phenylephrine, increased anticholinergic effects of chlorpheniramine
  • Beta-blockers (non-selective) - increased risk of hypertension and bradycardia with phenylephrine
  • Other sympathomimetics (e.g., other decongestants, amphetamines) - additive cardiovascular effects (phenylephrine)
  • Serotonergic drugs (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans) - increased risk of serotonin syndrome with dextromethorphan
  • CYP2D6 inhibitors (e.g., fluoxetine, paroxetine, quinidine) - increased dextromethorphan levels and risk of toxicity
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Moderate Interactions

  • Anticholinergic drugs (e.g., atropine, benztropine, some antipsychotics) - additive anticholinergic effects (chlorpheniramine)
  • Digoxin - phenylephrine may increase risk of arrhythmias
  • Alpha-adrenergic blockers (e.g., prazosin) - reduced decongestant effect of phenylephrine
  • Antihypertensives - phenylephrine may reduce their effect
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Minor Interactions

  • Food (may delay absorption of chlorpheniramine)

Monitoring

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Symptom Monitoring

  • Effectiveness of symptom relief (cough, congestion, sneezing)
  • Drowsiness or sedation
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Dry mouth, nose, or throat
  • Blurred vision
  • Urinary retention or difficulty urinating
  • Increased heart rate or palpitations
  • Increased blood pressure (especially in patients with hypertension)
  • Nervousness, restlessness, or insomnia
  • Signs of serotonin syndrome (agitation, hallucinations, rapid heart rate, fever, sweating, muscle rigidity, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)

Special Patient Groups

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Pregnancy

Generally not recommended during pregnancy unless clearly necessary and benefits outweigh risks. Chlorpheniramine is Category B, but phenylephrine and dextromethorphan are Category C. Phenylephrine can cause vasoconstriction, potentially affecting uterine blood flow. Chlorpheniramine's anticholinergic effects may be a concern near term.

Trimester-Specific Risks:

First Trimester: Limited data, potential for cardiovascular effects with phenylephrine.
Second Trimester: Generally considered safer than first or third, but still use with caution.
Third Trimester: Avoid, especially near term, due to potential for premature labor (phenylephrine) and anticholinergic effects in neonate (chlorpheniramine).
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Lactation

Use with caution. Chlorpheniramine (L3) can cause drowsiness in the infant and may decrease milk supply. Phenylephrine (L3) is poorly absorbed orally but can cause irritability in infants and theoretically reduce milk supply. Dextromethorphan (L2) is generally considered safer but can cause drowsiness. Monitor infant for sedation, irritability, or poor feeding. Consider alternative agents if possible.

Infant Risk: Moderate risk (L3)
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Pediatric Use

Contraindicated in children under 2 years of age due to serious and potentially life-threatening side effects. Use with extreme caution and only under medical supervision for children 2-6 years. Always follow specific product labeling for age-appropriate dosing. Risk of overdose is higher in young children.

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Geriatric Use

Increased susceptibility to anticholinergic effects (e.g., sedation, confusion, urinary retention, constipation) and sympathomimetic effects (e.g., increased blood pressure, heart rate, insomnia) due to age-related changes in metabolism and elimination. Start with lower doses and monitor closely. Avoid in elderly with glaucoma, prostate enlargement, or cardiovascular disease unless benefits clearly outweigh risks.

Clinical Information

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Clinical Pearls

  • This is an OTC product; always advise patients to read and follow the specific product label instructions carefully.
  • Educate patients on the potential for drowsiness and to avoid activities requiring mental alertness.
  • Warn about the risk of serotonin syndrome, especially if patients are taking other serotonergic drugs or MAOIs.
  • Advise patients with underlying conditions like hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, or thyroid disorders to consult their physician before use due to the phenylephrine component.
  • Emphasize that this medication treats symptoms and does not cure the underlying cause of cold or flu.
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Alternative Therapies

  • Single-ingredient antihistamines (e.g., loratadine, cetirizine for non-drowsy options)
  • Single-ingredient decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine, oxymetazoline nasal spray)
  • Single-ingredient antitussives (e.g., guaifenesin, benzonatate)
  • Saline nasal sprays for congestion
  • Honey for cough relief
  • Warm fluids, humidifiers
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Cost & Coverage

Average Cost: $10 - $30 per 4 oz (120 mL) bottle
Generic Available: Yes
Insurance Coverage: Over-the-counter (OTC), generally not covered by insurance unless prescribed or through FSA/HSA.
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General Drug Facts

If your symptoms or health issues persist or worsen, it is essential to contact your doctor for further guidance. To ensure safe and effective treatment, never share your medication with others or take someone else's medication. Some medications may come with an additional patient information leaflet, so it is a good idea to consult with your pharmacist. If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, do not hesitate to discuss them with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. In the event of a suspected overdose, immediately call your local poison control center or seek emergency medical attention. When seeking help, be prepared to provide detailed information about the overdose, including the medication taken, the amount, and the time it occurred.