Tavist Allergy/sinus/headache

Generic Name: acetaminophen/clemastine/pseudoephedrine

Brands: Tavist Allergy/Sinus/Headache

What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine?

· Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

· Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine. Alcohol may also increase the risk of damage to the liver when taken with acetaminophen.

· Do not take this medication if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

What is acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine?

· Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer. It is used to treat many conditions, such as headache, muscle aches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds, and fevers.

· Clemastine is an antihistamine. It blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in the body. Clemastine prevents sneezing; itchy, watery eyes and nose; and other symptoms of allergies and hay fever.

· Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant. It constricts (shrinks) blood vessels (veins and arteries). This reduces the blood flow to certain areas, which decreases swelling and allows nasal and respiratory (breathing) passages to open up.

· Acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine is used to treat sinus and nasal congestion; itchy, watery eyes; itchy throat; sneezing; headache; fever; and other symptoms associated with allergies, hay fever, and the common cold.

· Acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine?

· Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have had alcoholic liver disease. Acetaminophen may cause liver damage and the risk may be increased with the use of alcohol.

· Before taking acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine tell your doctor if you have: ·kidney disease, ·liver disease, ·diabetes, ·glaucoma, ·any type of heart disease or high blood pressure, ·thyroid disease, ·a breathing problem such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, or ·difficulty urinating or an enlarged prostate.

· You may not be able to take acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

· It is not known whether acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

· This medication may pass into breast milk and affect a nursing infant. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

· This product is not recommended for use by children younger than 12 years of age except under the direction of a doctor. Children are more susceptible than adults to the effects of medicines and may have unusual reactions.

· If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine.

How should I take acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine?

· Take acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine exactly as directed. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

· Take each dose with a full glass of water.

· Never take more acetaminophen than is directed. The maximum amount of acetaminophen for adults is 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. Taking more acetaminophen could cause damage to the liver. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, talk to your doctor before taking acetaminophen and never take more than 2 grams (2000 mg) per day.

· Stop taking acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine and talk to your doctor if your symptoms continue or get worse; if new or unexpected symptoms occur; if nervousness or sleeplessness occurs; if a fever lasts more than 3 days; or if nasal congestion lasts for more than 7 days.

· Store acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

· Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

· Seek emergency medical attention.

· Symptoms of an acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine overdose may include dry mouth, large pupils, flushing, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, seizures, confusion, sweating, and an irregular heartbeat.

What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine?

· Acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, other antihistamines, pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur if acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine is taken with any of these medications.

What are the possible side effects of acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine?

· If you experience any of the following uncommon but serious side effects, stop taking acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately: ·an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or ·liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue).

· Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur including: ·dry eyes, nose, and mouth; ·drowsiness or dizziness; ·blurred vision; ·difficulty urinating; or ·excitation in children.

· Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine?

· Do not take acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

· Urine glucose tests may produce false results while you are taking acetaminophen. Talk to your doctor if you have diabetes and you notice changes in blood glucose levels during treatment with acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine.

· Do not take other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, diet, pain, or sleep medicines while taking acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Other medications may also contain acetaminophen, clemastine, pseudoephedrine, or other similar drugs, and you may accidentally take too much.

· Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

· Your pharmacist has additional information about acetaminophen, clemastine, and pseudoephedrine written for health professionals that you may read.

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