Medication features
Chlorphenamine 4mg Tablets are an effective treatment for different types of allergic reactions from insect bites, nettle rash, or other allergies that cause itchy skin rashes. They can also be used as a preventative measure for allergies such as hay fever, house dust mite allergies, food allergies, and pet allergies.
- Used to Treat Hay-Fever
- Fast-Acting
- Prevents allergic symptoms
Overview
What Is Chlorphenamine?
Chlorphenamine, also known as chlorphenamine maleate, is a medicine that relieves symptoms of allergies and colds. It is also sold under the brand names Allerief, Hayleve and Pollenase in the UK.
The active ingredient of chlorphenamine is chlorpheniramine maleate. Chlorphenamine also contains inactive ingredients including D&C yellow #10 (a synthetic dye), lactose anhydrous and magnesium stearate.
What Is Chlorphenamine Used For?
This medicine is an antihistamine that is effective in relieving symptoms such as:
- Cough
- Runny or blocked nose
- Watery or itchy eyes
- Itchy nose or throat
- Itchy skin and rash
Chlorphenamine typically comes in 4mg tablets but is also available in liquid form. You may be prescribed chlorphenamine if you have:
How Does Chlorphenamine Work?
Chlorphenamine is an antihistamine which works by blocking the effects of histamine. Histamine is a chemical that the body produces naturally when you come into contact with a substance that you are allergic to such as animal fur or hair, pollen, insect bites and stings, or house dust.
Some symptoms of allergic reactions and colds are caused by histamine. By blocking the effects of histamine, chlorphenamine can be effective in relieving these symptoms. Chlorphenamine also blocks acetylcholine - a naturally-produced enzyme that manages bodily fluids – from affecting the body, relieving a runny nose and watery eyes.
Classed as a drowsy antihistamine, chlorphenamine is more likely to make you feel sleepy than other types of antihistamines.
Chlorphenamine and Alcohol
You shouldn’t take alcohol while you’re taking chlorphenamine. That’s because this medicine can make you feel very sleepy. Mixing alcohol with chlorphenamine can increase your chance of side effects such as drowsiness and feeling sick, and can be potentially dangerous.
Chlorphenamine in Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, you can use chlorphenamine. There is no evidence that it could harm your baby. However, you should be aware of potential side effects such as drowsiness. Your doctor might advise you to take a non-drowsy antihistamine such as loratadine, rather than chlorphenamine.
So long as your baby is healthy, you can use chlorphenamine while breastfeeding. The amount of chlorphenamine that gets into breast milk isn’t known, but prolonged use could lead to side effects such as sleepiness in your baby. For this reason, only occasional use of chlorphenamine is typically recommended while breastfeeding.
Before taking chlorphenamine, tell your doctor if you are; pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding.
Chlorphenamine vs Cetirizine
Like chlorphenamine, cetirizine is an antihistamine medicine that comes in tablet form and relieves the symptoms of allergies and colds. Chlorphenamine and cetirizine can both be given to people with hay fever, a cold, conjunctivitis (red and itchy eyes), hives, eczema, or an insect bite or sting. Both of these medications can be prescribed but also purchased from an online, high street or supermarket pharmacy without a prescription. Chlorphenamine and cetirizine are also available in liquid form.
One major difference is that chlorphenamine is classed as a drowsy antihistamine because it can make you feel sleepy, whereas cetirizine belongs to the non-drowsy category of antihistamines, being less likely to make you tired. For this reason, a non-drowsy antihistamine such as cetirizine may be preferable for people who are anxious that a drowsy antihistamine will disrupt their daily routine. A drowsy antihistamine may be more suitable if you have symptoms which are keeping you awake at night, like itchy skin or a cough.
There is insufficient evidence to conclude that either chlorphenamine or cetirizine is more effective than the other. How well the two treatments work will vary from person to person. If chlorphenamine or cetirizine does not relieve your symptoms, your doctor may recommend another type of antihistamine.
Chlorphenamine Reviews
Users with one or more allergy have commented on the effectiveness of chlorphenamine to relieve their symptoms such as a runny or blocked nose, sneezing and itchy or watery eyes. Some reviewers online have commented that they have been taking chlorpheniramine for over a decade to relieve their allergy symptoms. Users have explained that chlorphenamine was the first medication which worked in relieving their symptoms after they had tried treatments such as other antihistamines, decongestants and steroid sprays.
Taken every 4 hours, numerous reviewers have reported that chlorpheniramine controlled their allergy symptoms. Some reviewers have highlighted chlorphenamine’s ability to relieve their symptoms within an hour, including symptoms such as a runny nose in a matter of minutes. Among the side effects mentioned by users are drowsiness and dehydration.
Can You Buy Chlorphenamine Over the Counter?
You don’t need a prescription to buy chlorphenamine tablets. Once you’ve completed a short online consultation, you can buy the treatment quickly and conveniently through Cloud Pharmacy’s online pharmacy. After being approved by one of our online pharmacists, your chlorphenamine can be dispensed and dispatched in a discreet package with next-day delivery.
Directions
Chlorphenamine Dosage
The usual dose of chlorphenamine 4 mg tablets for adults and children aged 12 and over is 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours. Never take more than 6 tablets in a 24-hour period.
For children under the age of 12 and babies, doses are lower, and tablets may be taken less frequently. Your doctor will work out the appropriate dosage, taking into account your child’s age and symptoms. Children under 6 years should not take cold or cough medicines which contain chlorphenamine. Older people may also take a lower dose, and be limited to a maximum of 3 tablets in 24 hours.
You should only take chlorphenamine when you have allergy or cold symptoms. Never exceed the maximum dose. If you forget to take a dose of chlorphenamine, take the dose you forgot as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next dose. You shouldn’t take two doses in quick succession or at the same time to make up for the missed dose.
How Long Does Chlorphenamine Take To Work?
You should feel relief from your allergy or cold symptoms within an hour of taking a chlorphenamine tablet. Some people feel relief from their symptoms in as little as 30 minutes.
How long you need to use chlorphenamine depends on your reason for taking it. Some people may only need to take a one-off dose of chlorphenamine or use the medicine for a short time when their symptoms arise. People with hay fever may need to take chlorphenamine tablets regularly during the seasons of spring and summer to prevent symptoms from arising.
An insect bite or sting may only require you to take chlorphenamine for 1-2 days. You shouldn’t take chlorphenamine for more than two weeks without talking to your doctor. If your symptoms haven’t improved, you should also inform your doctor.
How to Take Chlorphenamine
Chlorphenamine should only be taken when you need it. This may be when you come into contact with a substance that has triggered your allergy symptoms, when you have a cold, when you are bitten or stung by an insect, or during the seasons (spring and summer) when you have hay fever symptoms.
The tablets can be taken with or without food. You should swallow them whole with a drink such as water, juice or milk. Chlorphenamine 4 mg tablets may be broken in half for people taking half doses, such as children or older people. Never crush or chew chlorphenamine tablets – this may result in too much of the medicine being released at once.
Side Effects
Chlorphenamine 4mg Tablets Side Effects
Not everyone will get side effects from chlorphenamine tablets. Common potential side effects – which happen in more than 1 in 100 people – may include:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Nausea
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
Children and older people have more chance of getting side effects including restlessness and confusion. If any of these symptoms persist, or bother you, speak to your doctor.
Serious side effects from chlorphenamine are rare. If you experience any of these side effects:
- Signs of liver problems such as jaundice (your skin or whites of eyes turning yellow)
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Signs of a serious allergic reaction (such as lightheadedness, breathing difficulty, fast heartbeat, wheezing, sweating, anxiety or confusion)
Contact a medical professional or call 999.
Patient Information Leaflet
Chlorphenamine 4mg Tablets Patient Information Leaflet
For more information on chlorphenamine medication, take a look at the Patient Information Leaflet below:
Chlorphenamine 4mg tablets Reviews
Confirm Chlorphenamine 4mg tablets treatment selection
4mg | 28 | £4.99 |
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