Before taking this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- abdominal problems (e.g., chronic constipation, ileus, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis)
- adrenal gland problem (e.g., Addison’s disease)
- certain brain disorders (e.g., head injury, tumor, increased intracranial pressure)
- breathing problems (e.g., asthma, emphysema, sleep apnea)
- diabetes
- a certain eye problem (glaucoma)
- heart problems
- high blood pressure
- kidney problems
- liver disease
- mental/mood problems (e.g., depression, psychosis)
- seizures
- stomach/intestinal problems (e.g., ulcers, blockage)
- thyroid problems (e.g., hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism)
- urination problems (e.g., trouble urinating due to enlarged prostate, urinary retention)
- use/abuse of drugs/alcohol
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause blurred vision. Limit the use of alcohol and certain other medications that cause drowsiness (See also Drug Interactions). To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
If you have phenylketonuria (PKU) or any other condition that requires you to restrict your intake of aspartame (or phenylalanine), consult your doctor or pharmacist regarding the safe use of this medicine.
Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence, or liver disease. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safe use of this product.
In young children, this medication may cause agitation/excitement instead of drowsiness. Children may also be more sensitive to the side effects of the narcotic cough suppressant, especially extreme sleepiness, confusion, or slow/shallow/noisy breathing. (See also Warning section.)
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, slow/shallow breathing, fast heartbeat, constipation, and trouble urinating.
Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the risks and benefits. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may slightly increase the risk of birth defects if used during the first two months of pregnancy. Also, using it for a long time or in high doses near the expected delivery date may harm the unborn baby. To lessen the risk, take the smallest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Tell the doctor right away if you notice any symptoms in your newborn baby such as slow/shallow breathing, irritability, abnormal/persistent crying, vomiting, or diarrhea.
This product may pass into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Products that contain codeine or dihydrocodeine may rarely have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Tell the doctor right away if your infant develops increased sleepiness, trouble breast-feeding, trouble breathing, or unusual limpness. If your product contains codeine or dihydrocodeine, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before breast-feeding.
Interactions
Some products that may interact with this drug include:
- other anticholinergic drugs (e.g., benztropine, belladonna alkaloids)
- antihistamines applied to the skin (such as diphenhydramine cream, ointment, spray)
- beta blockers (e.g., metoprolol, atenolol)
- cimetidine
- guanethidine
- certain inhaled anesthetics (e.g., halothane)
- methyldopa
- narcotic antagonists (e.g., naltrexone, naloxone)
- reserpine
- scopolamine
- tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, desipramine)
Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this medication. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication.
The risk of serious side effects (such as slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness) may be increased if this medication is taken with other products that may also affect breathing or cause drowsiness. Therefore, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products such as alcohol, medicine for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, and narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine).
Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that could affect your heart rate/blood pressure or cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.
This medication may interfere with certain medical/laboratory tests (including amylase/lipase levels, brain scan for Parkinson’s disease), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.