Home Drug Guide Chlorpheniramine Maleate

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Chlorpheniramine Maleate

Brand Names Chlor-trimeton, Teldrin, Efidac 24 Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Phenetron, Antagonate, Kloromin, Pyridamal 100

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihistamine (Allergy), Cold and Cough

Pharmacological: First-generation H1 antihistamine

FDA Approved Indications

  • Allergic rhinitis
  • Urticaria (hives)
  • Hay fever
  • Other allergic symptoms

Mechanism of Action

Chlorpheniramine Maleate blocks peripheral H1 receptors, preventing histamine from exerting its effects, thereby reducing allergy symptoms.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: 4 mg every 4-6 hours as needed, not to exceed 24 mg per 24 hours

Pediatric: 2-4 mg every 4-6 hours as needed, dosage depends on age and weight; consult prescribing information

Geriatric: Use with caution; start at lower doses due to increased sensitivity and potential for sedation and side effects

Renal Impairment: Adjust dose based on severity of impairment, consult specific guidelines

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; monitor for increased effects due to decreased metabolism

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed from gastrointestinal tract

Distribution: Widely distributed; crosses blood-brain barrier

Metabolism: Partially metabolized in the liver

Excretion: Excreted primarily in urine

Half Life: about 12-15 hours but may vary based on patient factors

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to chlorpheniramine or other antihistamines
  • Use with caution in patients with urinary retention, glaucoma, asthma, or gastrointestinal obstruction

Precautions

  • Caution in elderly patients, may cause sedation, impairment of mental and motor ability, anticholinergic effects

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Sedation and drowsiness (Common)
  • Anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, urinary retention, blurred vision, dizziness (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Seizures, hypersensitivity reactions (rash, anaphylaxis) (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • CNS depressants (enhances sedation)
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (increased anticholinergic effects)

Drug-Food Interactions

  • Alcohol (enhances sedative effects)

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for sedation, anticholinergic side effects, effectiveness of symptom relief

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for injury due to sedation or anticholinergic effects
  • Impaired comfort related to allergy symptoms

Implementation: Administer with food if GI upset occurs; educate patient about avoiding alcohol and CNS depressants

Evaluation: Assess relief of allergy symptoms and monitor for adverse reactions

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take medication exactly as prescribed
  • Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you
  • Caution about alcohol use and other CNS depressants
  • Report excessive drowsiness, dry mouth, or other side effects

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None currently

Genetic Factors: None established

Lab Test Interference: None known

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe anticholinergic effects, drowsiness, convulsions, hallucinations

Treatment: Supportive care, activated charcoal if ingested recently, symptomatic treatment, and airway management as needed.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature away from light and moisture

Stability: Stable for shelf life as per manufacturer instructions

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.