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Overview: Chlophedianol/pyrilamine comes as a liquid and is taken to help relieve a cough and allergy symptoms. It contains two medicines: chlophedianol (a cough suppressant) and pyrilamine (an antihistamine). Common side effects include drowsiness or excitability. Excitability is more common in children. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness until you know how chlophedianol/pyrilamine affects you.

Uses

What is chlophedianol/pyrilamine used for?

Chlophedianol/pyrilamine is commonly taken to help relieve symptoms such as cough, runny nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, and an itchy nose or throat from any of the following.

Chlophedianol/pyrilamine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does chlophedianol/pyrilamine work (mechanism of action)?

Chlophedianol/pyrilamine has two medicines in it: chlophedianol and pyrilamine. 

  • Chlophedianol is a cough suppressant (antitussive). It reduces the urge to cough by blocking your cough reflex.
  • Pyrilamine is an antihistamine. It helps to reduce sneezing, runny nose, itchiness, and watery eyes by blocking a substance in your body called histamine.

How is chlophedianol/pyrilamine supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Ninjacof
  • Vanacof CP

Example dosage forms and strengths

  • 12.5 mg/12.5 mg per 5 mL oral liquid
  • 12.5 mg/25 mg per 15 mL oral liquid

How should I store chlophedianol/pyrilamine?

Chlophedianol/pyrilamine should be stored at room temperature, usually between 68 F and 86 F (20 C and 30 C). Check the storage requirements for the product you have and ask your pharmacist if you are unsure how to store your medicine.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of chlophedianol/pyrilamine?

The most common side effects of chlophedianol/pyrilamine are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Drowsiness (see below)
  • Excitability (especially in children)

There may be other side effects of chlophedianol/pyrilamine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of chlophedianol/pyrilamine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of chlophedianol/pyrilamine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Chlophedianol/pyrilamine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking chlophedianol/pyrilamine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Drowsiness. Chlophedianol/pyrilamine can make you very drowsy or sleepy. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness until you know how chlophedianol/pyrilamine affects you.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use chlophedianol/pyrilamine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take chlophedianol/pyrilamine.

  • Chlophedianol
  • Ninjacof
  • Pyrilamine
  • Vanacof CP
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific chlophedianol/pyrilamine products they stock.

Drug Interactions. Chlophedianol/pyrilamine should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking chlophedianol/pyrilamine, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about chlophedianol/pyrilamine before using it?

Read and follow the instructions that come with the medicine or follow your health care provider’s instructions on how to take it. Do not take more than the recommended dose.

Keep chlophedianol/pyrilamine out of the reach of children.

Drowsiness is a common side effect with this medicine. Some people, especially children, may have the opposite effect and become excited or hyper after taking it. Talk with your pharmacist or health care provider if you have any concerns.

Stop taking chlophedianol/pyrilamine and call your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • You feel nervous, dizzy, or have trouble sleeping
  • Your symptoms do not get better within 7 days or come back after improving
  • You get a fever, a rash, or you have a headache or cough that does not go away
  • You have new symptoms

Use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist what measuring device to use.

What should I tell my health care provider before using chlophedianol/pyrilamine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if chlophedianol/pyrilamine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how chlophedianol/pyrilamine could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take chlophedianol/pyrilamine while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if all of the medicines in chlophedianol/pyrilamine pass into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take chlophedianol/pyrilamine while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does chlophedianol/pyrilamine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between chlophedianol/pyrilamine and foods or drinks.

Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking chlophedianol/pyrilamine. The risk of drowsiness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking chlophedianol/pyrilamine.

Does chlophedianol/pyrilamine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking chlophedianol/pyrilamine.

  • A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past 2 weeks, which is a medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease
  • Any other medicine that causes dizziness or sleepiness, such as prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, or medicines for anxiety
  • Any other medicine that contains an antihistamine, such as chlorpheniramine or diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which is a medicine commonly used to treat allergy symptoms 
  • Any other medicine that contains a cough suppressant, such as dextromethorphan, which is found in many cough and cold products

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with chlophedianol/pyrilamine. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much chlophedianol/pyrilamine?

If you or someone else has used too much chlophedianol/pyrilamine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of chlophedianol/pyrilamine?

Chlophedianol/pyrilamine is meant to be taken only when needed. Take it according to the package directions or as your health care provider recommends. Do not take double or extra doses.