Brand name:

BC Sinus Cold Powders

Generic ingredients: Aspirin, Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, Chlorpheniramine maleate (Allergy Sinus Cold Powder only)

What this drug is used for

BC Sinus Cold Powder and Allergy Sinus Cold Powder both contain a pain reliever and a decongestant for temporary relief of body aches, fever, and stuffy nose. The Allergy Sinus Cold Powder also contains an antihistamine for relief of sneezing, runny nose, and watery, itchy eyes.

How should you take this medication?

* ADULTS

For adults and children 12 years and over, the usual dose is 1 powder placed on your tongue and followed with a glass of water or other liquid. If you prefer, you may stir 1 powder into a glass of liquid. Take a dose every 4 to 6 hours, if needed. Do not take more than 3 powders in 24 hours.

* CHILDREN

For children under 12, consult your doctor.

Do not take this medication if...

Avoid both types of BC Sinus Cold Powder if you are allergic to aspirin. Unless your doctor approves, do not take either product if you have asthma, emphysema, chronic lung disease, breathing problems, heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, high pressure within the eye (glaucoma), or an enlarged prostate gland.

Special warnings about this medication

The aspirin in these products has been known to trigger a serious illness called Reye's syndrome in children and teenagers who catch a virus. If your child gets chickenpox or flu, do not treat the symptoms with either type of BC Sinus Cold Powder.

Do not take either product during the last 3 months of pregnancy. It could harm the baby or cause complications during delivery. Earlier during pregnancy, and while nursing a baby, check with your doctor before taking either of these products.

Taking more than the recommended dose of these products could make you nervous or dizzy, or interfere with your sleep.

The antihistamine in BC Allergy Sinus Cold Powder can cause excitability, especially in children. It also tends to make some people drowsy. When taking this type of BC, be especially careful when driving, and when operating machinery.

If symptoms do not improve within 7 days or new ones appear--or if you run a fever for more than 3 days--check with your doctor before using any more of either product.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication

Do not use either of these products within 2 weeks of taking a drug classified as an MAO inhibitor, such as the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate. Check with your doctor before combining these products with a prescription blood pressure medicine.

Aspirin-containing products such as BC can interact with a number of additional prescription drugs. Check with your doctor before combining either of these products with any of the following:

Acetazolamide (Diamox)
ACE-inhibitor-type blood pressure medications such as Capoten
Anti-gout drugs such as Anturane, Benemid, and Zyloprim
Arthritis preparations such as Aleve, Anaprox, Ecotrin, Indocin, Motrin, Naprosyn, and Orudis
Blood-thinning drugs such as Coumadin
Certain diuretics (water pills), including Lasix
Diabetes medications, including DiaBeta, Diabinese, Micronase, and Glucotrol
Diltiazem (Cardizem)
Dipyridamole (Persantine)
Seizure medications such as Depakene
Steroids such as prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone)