Pronunciation: KLOR-fen-IR-a-meen/SOO-doe-e-FED-rin/METH-skoe-POL-a-meen
Generic Name: Chlorpheniramine/Pseudoephedrine/MethscopolamineBrand Name: DryMax
DryMax Syrup is used for:
Relieving congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes due to colds, flu, or hay fever. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
DryMax Syrup is an antihistamine, decongestant, and anticholinergic combination. The antihistamine works by blocking histamine, a substance in the body that causes sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. The decongestant relieves nasal congestion by shrinking the nasal mucous membranes, which promotes nasal drainage. The anticholinergic dries the chest by decreasing lung secretions.
Do NOT use DryMax Syrup if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in DryMax Syrup
- you are pregnant or breast-feeding
- you take droxidopa or sodium oxybate (GHB), or you have taken furazolidone or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days
- you have severe high blood pressure, severe heart blood vessel disease, rapid heartbeat, severe heart problems, or narrow-angle glaucoma
- you have severe or uncontrolled bleeding; a blockage of your bladder, stomach, or bowel; muscle weakness (eg, myasthenia gravis); stomach ulcer; severe bowel problems (eg, ulcerative colitis, toxic megacolon); inflammation of the esophagus from reflux disease; or trouble swallowing
- you are unable to urinate or are having an asthma attack
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using DryMax Syrup:
Some medical conditions may interact with DryMax Syrup. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of adrenal gland problems (eg, adrenal gland tumor), a hiatal hernia, heart problems (eg, fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; heart disease), high blood pressure, low blood volume, diabetes, blood vessel problems, seizures, stroke, glaucoma or increased pressure in the eye, or thyroid problems
- if you have a history of asthma, chronic cough, lung or breathing problems (eg, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, sleep apnea), or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or if your cough occurs with large amounts of mucus
- if you have a history of stomach or bowel ulcers; constipation; a blockage of your stomach, bladder, or bowel; liver or kidney problems; trouble urinating; or an enlarged prostate or other prostate problems
- if you will be exposed to high temperatures for a long period of time
- if you take medicine for high blood pressure or depression
- if you take potassium chloride tablets or capsules
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with DryMax Syrup. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Digoxin or droxidopa because the risk of irregular heartbeat or heart attack may be increased
- Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), furazolidone, linezolid, or MAOIs (eg, phenelzine) because the risk of high or low blood pressure may be increased
- Anticholinergics (eg, benztropine), carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (eg, acetazolamide), tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline), or urinary alkalinizers (eg, sodium bicarbonate) because they may increase the risk of DryMax Syrup's side effects
- Bromocriptine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), potassium chloride, or sodium oxybate (GHB) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by DryMax Syrup
- Guanadrel, guanethidine, mecamylamine, methyldopa, metoclopramide, or reserpine because their effectiveness may be decreased by DryMax Syrup
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if DryMax Syrup may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use DryMax Syrup:
Use DryMax Syrup as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take DryMax Syrup by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
- Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure your dose.
- Do not take an antacid or certain medicines for diarrhea 2 to 3 hours before or after you take DryMax Syrup.
- If you miss a dose of DryMax Syrup and you are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use DryMax Syrup.
Important safety information:
- DryMax Syrup may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use DryMax Syrup with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using DryMax Syrup; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
- If your symptoms do not get better within 7 days, if they get worse, or if you develop a high fever or persistent headache, check with your doctor.
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
- DryMax Syrup may cause dry mouth. To relieve dry mouth, suck on sugarless hard candy or ice chips, chew sugarless gum, drink water, or use a saliva substitute.
- DryMax Syrup may make your eyes more sensitive to sunlight. It may help to wear sunglasses.
- DryMax Syrup may reduce sweating. Do not become overheated in hot weather or while you are being active; heatstroke may occur.
- Do not take diet or appetite control medicines while you are taking DryMax Syrup without checking with your doctor.
- DryMax Syrup has a decongestant, antihistamine, and anticholinergic in it. Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has a decongestant, antihistamine, or anticholinergic in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
- If you have trouble sleeping, ask your doctor or pharmacist about the best time of the day to take DryMax Syrup.
- DryMax Syrup may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know that you are taking DryMax Syrup.
- DryMax Syrup may interfere with skin allergy tests. If you are scheduled for a skin test, talk to your doctor. You may need to stop taking DryMax Syrup for a few days before the tests.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take DryMax Syrup before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Diabetes patients - DryMax Syrup may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Use DryMax Syrup with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Caution is advised when using DryMax Syrup in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially excitability.
- DryMax Syrup should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 6 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using DryMax Syrup while you are pregnant. DryMax Syrup is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking DryMax Syrup.
Possible side effects of DryMax Syrup:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth, nose, or throat; excitability; headache; increased sweating; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness or anxiety; trouble sleeping; upset stomach; vomiting; weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision or other vision changes; confusion; difficulty swallowing; difficulty urinating or inability to urinate; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; hallucinations; mental or mood changes; seizures; severe dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, or headache; shortness of breath; tremor; unusual tiredness or weakness.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: DryMax side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include deep sleep or loss of consciousness; hot or cool skin; irregular heartbeat; irritability, anxiety, or panic; large pupils; numbness or tingling in the arms or legs; seizures; slowed or shallow breathing.
Proper storage of DryMax Syrup:Store DryMax Syrup in a tightly closed container between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep DryMax Syrup out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about DryMax Syrup, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- DryMax Syrup is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about DryMax Syrup. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Issue Date: February 1, 2012
Database Edition 12.1.1.002
Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
More DryMax resources
- DryMax Side Effects (in more detail)
- DryMax Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- DryMax Drug Interactions
- DryMax Support Group
- 0 Reviews for DryMax - Add your own review/rating
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