carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine

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Pronunciation: kar BAY ta PEN tane and SOO doe ee FED rin

Brand: Respi-TANN, Respi-Tann Pd, Re-Tann

What is the most important information I should know about carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine?

Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

What is carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine?

Carbetapentane is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

Carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine is a combination medicine used to treat cough, stuffy nose, and sinus congestion caused by allergies, sinus infections, or the common cold.

This medication will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

Carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine?

Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to carbetapentane or pseudoephedrine, or if you have:

  • uncontrolled high blood pressure; or
  • severe coronary artery disease.

To make sure carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • liver or kidney disease;
  • heart disease or high blood pressure;
  • a thyroid disorder;
  • pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);
  • a seizure disorder;
  • glaucoma;
  • diabetes; or
  • an enlarged prostate or problems with urination.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

Carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

The chewable tablet form of this medicine may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

How should I take carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine?

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Cough or cold medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 2 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.

The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure the liquid with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon or doctor ahead of time if you have taken this medicine within the past few days.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since this medicine is taken when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine?

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, cough, allergy, or sleep medicine. Cough suppressants and decongestants are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of a certain drug. Check the label to see if a medicine contains a cough suppressant or decongestant.

What are the possible side effects of carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
  • pale skin, weakness;
  • severe dizziness, vision problems, hallucinations;
  • painful or difficult urination; or
  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.

Common side effects may include:

  • nausea, loss of appetite;
  • headache, dizziness, drowsiness;
  • constipation, diarrhea; or
  • feeling nervous or excited.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine?

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can worsen these effects. Ask your doctor before taking carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Other drugs may interact with carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine.


Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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