Chlorpheniramine

DEA Class;  (OTC)

Common Brand Names; ChlorTrimeton, Diabetic Tussin

Documented hypersensitivity

Lower respiratory disease, eg, asthma (controversial)

Preemies & neonates

Nursing women

Acute asthma, sleep apnea

Varies in incidence & severity with the individual drug; also individual patients vary in susceptibility

• CNS depression
• Drowsiness
• Sedation ranging from mild drowsiness to deep sleep (most frequent)
• Dizziness
• Lassitude
• Disturbed coordination
• Muscular weakness
• Restlessness, insomnia, tremors, euphoria, nervousness, delirium, palpitation, seizures is less common
• Epigastric distress
• Anorexia
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation

Caution in narrow angle glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, stenosing peptic ulcer, pyloroduodenal obstruction, or bladder neck obstruction

Chlor Trimeton non-drowsy contains no chlorpheniramine, only pseudoephedrine

All injections discontinued

Antihistamine exposure in first trimester not reported to be associated with increased risk of malformations; animal studies not reported; there are no controlled data in human pregnancy; only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk

Excretion into human milk; the manufacturer recommends that caution be used when administering chlorpheniramine to nursing women

chlorpheniramine

tablet

• 4mg
• 8mg
• 12mg

syrup

• 2mg/5mL