P Chlor DM
Medical formulas all contain many different ingredients and often have many different names. The medicine known as P Chlor DM is more commonly marketed under the names Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Cough, Poly- Tussin DM or Tussplex DM. There are also many other brand names that include Cardec DM, De-Chlor DR and Maxiphen ADT. The generic ingredients included in the formulation for P Chlor DM are chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine and dextromethorphan.
Chlorpheniramine is a well known antihistamine which decreases the levels of natural chemical histamines in the body. Medical professionals know that histamines that are responsible for cough and allergy symptoms such as sneezing, teary eyes, itching and nasal drainage.
Phenylephrine is another compound that works as a decongestant. A stuffy, congested nose is the result of blood vessels that have become dilated. This ingredient is able to constrict the superficial blood vessels that are found in the nasal passages and thus relieves nasal congestion
Dextromethorphan is an ingredient that is favored as a cough suppressor. This medical compound directly affects the cough reflex by limiting the strength and frequency of the coughing responses.
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By combining the dextromethorphan, chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine in one health formula it produces a medical product that can be successfully used to treat many signs and symptoms of colds and allergies. These 3 ingredients work very well to control sneezing, coughing, sinus drainage or congestion, stuffy noses, eyes that itch or water, hives, skin rashes and generalized urticaria,
Although Dextromethorphan is a good cough suppressant it can not be used for treating coughing spasms that are the result of asthma, emphysema or tobacco use.
Important Information about P Chlor DM Ingredients
Dextromethorphan, phenylephrine and chlorpheniramine are all capable of creating side effects that can limit or hamper your reactions and responses. You should avoid driving, detailed work assignments and operating any heavy equipment while you are taking any medication that contains one, or all, of these ingredients
Never give any cough or cold medications to any young child unless directed to do so by a medical doctor. Seizures, respiratory problems, brain damage and death are all possible results if these types of medicines are being used arbitrarily to treat young children.
People should not use any cough or cold medicine with these ingredients if they currently take an MAO inhibitor such as Marplan, Nardil, Azilect, Parnate or Eldepryl. Even if you have only used one of these MAO inhibitors once within the past 2 weeks you should not use P Chlor DM, or similar medical products without discussing it with your family physician. The use of some cough meds while MAO inhibitors are still present in your system can create side effects which are extremely serious.
P Chlor DM should not be combined with other cough medications or sleeping medications. This can lead to an overdose of one or more of the ingredients. You always need to read the labels of any medication carefully first to see if it contains antihistamines, decongestants or cough suppressants.
Before you begin using PChlor DM or a similar medical formula, you need to tell your doctor if you have any allergies to dextromethorphan, chlorpheniramine or phenylephrine. It is also important that you alert your doctor if you have any of the following health conditions:
- Renal disease
- Hepatic disease
- glaucoma
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- heart disease
- stomach ulcers or any known stomach obstruction
- chronic bronchitis or emphysema
- enlarged prostate
- thyroid problems
Having one or more of these health ailments does not mean that you can not take P Chlor DM, but it does mean that your doctor will have to determine whether or not you can use it. A physician may need to do certain tests to conclusively determine if your body can handle the ingredients used in this type of medication and the exact dose to prescribe.
You must tell your physician if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant while using this medical product for the treatment of coughs, colds or allergies. Dextromethorphan, phenylephrine and chlorpheniramine, can be harmful to a fetus and these ingredients can be passed to a nursing baby through your breast milk. It is critically important that you talk with your doctor about whether to use this medication if you are already breast-feeding in order to protect the health of your baby.
Instructions for Using P Chlor DM
- Use the medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to or according to the package instructions..
- Do not take any extra doses, and never take this medical formula for a period longer than is recommended.
- When you take a dose of this medicine always drink at least 8-12 ounces of water along with it.
- When using the dissolving tablets you should add the medicine to 8-12 ounces of water and drink it after all of the medication has completely dissolved. Stir gently before drinking, and when you empty the glass add some more water and drink that too. This will make certain that you get all of the medication that was included in the dosage amount.
- Eating some food or drinking a little milk when you take this medication should help you prevent any upset stomach complaints.
- If your symptoms are not better within a week you need to discuss the matter with your physician.
