What is H-C Tussive-NR (Dexbrompheniramine/Hydrocodone/Phenylephrine)?

Brompheniramine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.
Hydrocodone is a narcotic cough suppressant.
Phenylephrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).
The combination of dexbrompheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine is used to treat nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, itchy or water eyes, and cough caused by allergies or the common cold.
Dexbrompheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about H-C Tussive-NR (Dexbrompheniramine/Hydrocodone/Phenylephrine)?

Do not use this medication if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take a cough and cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
You should not use dexbrompheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine if you are allergic to it, or if you have severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease (reduced circulation of blood to the heart), narrow-angle glaucoma, peptic ulcer, if you are unable to urinate, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Hydrocodone may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. This medication should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Always ask a doctor before giving cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough or cold medicine in very young children. Dexbrompheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine should not be given to a child younger than 6 years old.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking H-C Tussive-NR (Dexbrompheniramine/Hydrocodone/Phenylephrine)?

severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure
coronary artery disease
an enlarged prostate
narrow-angle glaucoma
peptic ulcer
asthma
pheochromocytoma
if you are breast-feeding a baby; or
if you are having an asthma attack

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take dexbrompheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have:

heart disease or high blood pressure
asthma, COPD, or other breathing disorder
diabetes
glaucoma
thyroid disorder
a history of head injury or brain tumor
enlarged prostate, urination problems

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Hydrocodone can cause breathing problems or addiction/withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Do not take this medication while you are pregnant.
This medication can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not take this medication if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Hydrocodone may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. This medication should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medication.

H-C Tussive-NR Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of H-C Tussive-NR (Dexbrompheniramine/Hydrocodone/Phenylephrine)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

shallow breathing, slow heartbeat
fast or pounding heartbeat
slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop)
confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior
seizure (convulsions)
painful or difficult urination
urinating less than usual or not at all; or
severe dizziness, anxiety, fear, or tremors

Less serious side effects may include:

dizziness, drowsiness, headache
feeling restless or nervous
sleep problems (insomnia)
nausea, vomiting, heartburn, loss of appetite
dry mouth
increased urination; or
blurred vision

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

H-C Tussive-NR Interactions

What other drugs affect H-C Tussive-NR (Dexbrompheniramine/Hydrocodone/Phenylephrine)?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, anxiety, or mental illness). They can add to sleepiness caused by dexbrompheniramine or hydrocodone.
Also tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

medicines to treat high blood pressure
indomethacin (Indocin)
mecamylamine (Inversine)
methyldopa (Aldomet)
reserpine
a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol (Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others; or
an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), and others

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with dexbrompheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking H-C Tussive-NR (Dexbrompheniramine/Hydrocodone/Phenylephrine)?

This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking this medication.
Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as pain medication, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by dexbrompheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Brompheniramine or phenylephrine are contained in many medicines available over the counter. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of a certain drug. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains brompheniramine or phenylephrine.

H-C Tussive-NR Dosage

How should I take H-C Tussive-NR (Dexbrompheniramine/Hydrocodone/Phenylephrine)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Cold medicine is usually taken for only a short time until your symptoms clear up.
Always ask a doctor before giving cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough or cold medicine in very young children. Dexbrompheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine should not be given to a child younger than 6 years old.
Take the medicine with a full glass of water.
Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache or skin rash.
Store dexbrompheniramine, hydrocodone, and phenylephrine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of how much of this medicine has been used from the bottle. Hydrocodone is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.

What happens if I overdose on H-C Tussive-NR (Dexbrompheniramine/Hydrocodone/Phenylephrine)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of hydrocodone can be fatal.
Overdose symptoms may include feeling restless or hyperactive, agitation, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, fast or uneven heart rate, tremor, hallucinations, extreme drowsiness, loss of coordination, warmth or redness in your face, fever, cold or clammy skin, dilated pupils, pinpoint pupils, slow heart rate, blue-colored lips or fingernails, seizure (convulsions), weak or shallow breathing, or breathing that stops.

What happens if I miss a dose of H-C Tussive-NR (Dexbrompheniramine/Hydrocodone/Phenylephrine)?

Since cough and cold medicine is usually taken only as 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. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com

H-C Tussive-NR (Dexbrompheniramine/Hydrocodone/Phenylephrine)