What is Pseudacarb (Carbetapentane Pseudoephedrine)?

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).
Carbetapentane is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.
The combination of carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine is used to treat cough and nasal and sinus congestion caused by the common cold, flu, or bronchitis.
Carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Pseudacarb (Carbetapentane Pseudoephedrine)?

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.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cough or cold medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of a certain drug. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains pseudoephedrine.
Do not use a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take cough or cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Pseudacarb (Carbetapentane Pseudoephedrine)?

Do not use a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take cough or cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to carbetapentane or pseudoephedrine, or if you have severe or untreated high blood pressure or coronary artery disease.
Before taking carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• heart disease or high blood pressure
• a seizure disorder
• glaucoma
• an enlarged prostate or problems with urination
• diabetes; or
• a thyroid disorder

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine is harmful to an unborn baby. Before you take this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Pseudacarb Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Pseudacarb (Carbetapentane Pseudoephedrine)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness
• confusion, hallucinations
• slow, shallow breathing
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
• increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure)

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild loss of appetite or stomach upset
• warmth, tingling, or redness under your skin
• feeling excited or restless
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• skin rash or itching

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.

Pseudacarb Interactions

What other drugs affect Pseudacarb (Carbetapentane Pseudoephedrine)?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• celecoxib (Celebrex)
• cinacalcet (Sensipar)
• darifenacin (Enablex)
• imatinib (Gleevec)
• quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex)
• ranolazine (Ranexa)
• ritonavir (Norvir)
• sibutramine (Meridia)
• terbinafine (Lamisil)
• medicines to treat high blood pressure
• antidepressant medications such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), others; or
• a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol (Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Pseudacarb (Carbetapentane Pseudoephedrine)?

This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of this medication.
Avoid taking diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications) without your doctor’s advice. Taking a stimulant together with a decongestant can increase your risk of unpleasant side effects.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cough or cold medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Pseudoephedrine is contained in many over-the-counter medications. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of a certain drug. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains pseudoephedrine.

Pseudacarb Dosage

How should I take Pseudacarb (Carbetapentane Pseudoephedrine)?

Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended. Cold medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.
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.
Measure the liquid form of this medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
The chewable tablet should be chewed before you swallow it.
Talk with 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.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time if you have taken a cold medicine within the past few days.
Store the medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I overdose on Pseudacarb (Carbetapentane Pseudoephedrine)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Symptoms of a carbetapentane and pseudoephedrine overdose may include feeling restless or nervous.

What happens if I miss a dose of Pseudacarb (Carbetapentane Pseudoephedrine)?

Since cold medicine is usually taken only as 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. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com