Brand name:
Pronounced: CAHM-trecks
Generic ingredients: Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan hydrobromide, Guaifenesin, Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
Other brand name: Robitussin Cold & Flu
These products temporarily relieve the minor aches, pains, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, cough, fever, and stuffy nose associated with the common cold and flu. They also help loosen phlegm, making it easier to cough up.
For adults and children 12 years and over, the usual dose is 2 pills every 4 hours. Do not take more than 12 Comtrex pills or 4 doses of the Robitussin product each 24 hours. For children under 12, consult your doctor.
* STORAGE
Store at room temperature.
Unless your doctor approves, do not take these products if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, or an enlarged prostate gland.
Also check with your doctor before using these products for the type of chronic cough that results from smoking, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or asthma, or for a cough that brings up lots of phlegm.
If you become dizzy or nervous, or have trouble sleeping, stop taking this medication and check with your doctor.
Do not take these products for more than 7 days (3 days for fever) without your doctor's approval. If your pain or fever won't go away or gets worse, if you have redness or swelling, or if you develop new symptoms, stop taking the medication and check with your doctor.
You should also check with your doctor immediately if you have a severe sore throat that lasts for more than 2 days, or if your sore throat is accompanied or followed by fever, headache, rash, nausea, or vomiting.
Likewise, call your doctor if you have a cough that lasts for more than 7 days or tends to come back, or a cough accompanied by rash, lasting headache, or fever.
Do not use these products within 2 weeks of taking a drug classified as an MAO inhibitor, such as the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate. Do not combine these products with any other medications containing acetaminophen, such as Excedrin, Vicodin, and the Tylenol line of products.
Combined with heavy drinking, the acetaminophen in these products could conceivably cause liver damage. Check with your doctor about taking these products if you generally have 3 or more alcoholic beverages a day.
*Symptoms of an overdose may include:
Nausea, vomiting, sweating, and a generally uneasy
feeling
Particularly in heavy drinkers, a massive overdose of acetaminophen could cause liver damage. Even if you have no symptoms, when you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.