Vazotan Suspension

Pronunciation: BROME-fen-IR-a-meen/KAR-bay-ta-PEN-tane/FEN-il-EF-rin
Generic Name: Brompheniramine/Carbetapentane/Phenylephrine
Brand Name: Examples include V-Cof and Vazotan

Vazotan Suspension is used for:

Relieving symptoms of sinus congestion, pressure, runny nose, sneezing, and cough due to colds, upper respiratory infections, and allergies. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Vazotan Suspension is an antihistamine, decongestant, and cough suppressant combination. The antihistamine works by blocking the action of histamine, which helps reduce symptoms such as watery eyes and sneezing. The decongestant promotes sinus and nasal drainage, which relieves congestion and pressure. The cough suppressant works in the brain to help decrease the cough reflex.

Do NOT use Vazotan Suspension if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Vazotan Suspension


• you have severe high blood pressure, severe heart blood vessel disease, rapid heartbeat, or severe heart problems


• you take sodium oxybate (GHB) or you have taken furazolidone or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Vazotan Suspension:

Some medical conditions may interact with Vazotan Suspension. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat


• if you have a history of asthma; lung problems (eg, emphysema); adrenal gland problems (eg, adrenal gland tumor); heart problems; high blood pressure; diabetes; blood vessel problems; stroke; glaucoma; a blockage of your bladder, stomach, or intestines; ulcers; trouble urinating; an enlarged prostate or other prostate problems; seizures; phenylketonuria; or an overactive thyroid


• if you are very drowsy, sedated, or are confined to a bed or chair

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Vazotan Suspension. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors (eg, tolcapone), furazolidone, indomethacin, MAOIs (eg, phenelzine), sodium oxybate (GHB), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they may increase the risk of Vazotan Suspension's side effects


• Digoxin or droxidopa because the risk of irregular heartbeat or heart attack may be increased


• Bromocriptine or hydantoins (eg, phenytoin) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Vazotan Suspension


• Guanadrel, guanethidine, mecamylamine, methyldopa, or reserpine because their effectiveness may be decreased by Vazotan Suspension

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Vazotan Suspension may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Vazotan Suspension:

Use Vazotan Suspension as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Vazotan Suspension by mouth with or without food.


• Shake well before each use.


• Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure your dose.


• If you miss a dose of Vazotan Suspension, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Vazotan Suspension.

Important safety information:

• Vazotan Suspension may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Vazotan Suspension with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Do not drink alcohol while you are using Vazotan Suspension.


• Do not take diet or appetite control medicines while you use Vazotan Suspension unless your doctor tells you to.


• Vazotan Suspension has brompheniramine and phenylephrine in it. Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has brompheniramine and phenylephrine in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.


• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or take Vazotan Suspension for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.


• If your symptoms do not get better within 7 days or if they get worse, check with your doctor.


• Vazotan Suspension may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Vazotan Suspension. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.


• Some of these products contain phenylalanine. If you must have a diet that is low in phenylalanine, ask your pharmacist if it is in your product.


• Vazotan Suspension may interfere with skin allergy tests. If you are scheduled for a skin test, talk to your doctor. You may need to stop taking Vazotan Suspension for a few days before the tests.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Vazotan Suspension before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Use Vazotan Suspension with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Caution is advised when using Vazotan Suspension in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Vazotan Suspension should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 2 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Vazotan Suspension while you are pregnant. It is not known if Vazotan Suspension is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Vazotan Suspension.

Possible side effects of Vazotan Suspension:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; excitability; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness or anxiety; trouble sleeping; upset stomach; vomiting; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); difficulty urinating or inability to urinate; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; seizures; severe dizziness, lightheadedness, or headache; tremor; vision changes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Vazotan side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include blurred vision; confusion; hallucinations; seizures; severe dizziness, lightheadedness, or headache; severe drowsiness; unusually fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; vomiting.

Proper storage of Vazotan Suspension:

Store Vazotan Suspension at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Vazotan Suspension out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Vazotan Suspension, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Vazotan Suspension is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Vazotan Suspension. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Vazotan resources

• Vazotan Side Effects (in more detail)
• Vazotan Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Vazotan Drug Interactions
• Vazotan Support Group
• 2 Reviews for Vazotan - Add your own review/rating

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