Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough
Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough is a combination of four medications: aspirin (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug or NSAID), chlorpheniramine (an antihistamine), dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant), and phenylephrine (a decongestant). It's used to treat symptoms from the common cold (e.g., cough, congestion, pain, headache). This medication is available over the counter for adults and children ages 12 years and older. It comes as effervescent tablets that you dissolve in water before you drink the mixture. The dosage can be repeated every 4 hours if needed. Side effects might include making you sleepy or dizzy.
What is Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough?
What is Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough used for?
Short-term relief of symptoms from the common cold:
Nasal congestion
Sinus pressure and congestion
Cough
Sore throat
Runny nose
Sneezing
Minor aches and pains
Headache
Fever
How Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough works
Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough is a combination of four medications that work together to relieve symptoms of the common cold, minor aches, and fever.
Aspirin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It blocks proteins in your body that typically cause inflammation, pain, and fever. This action helps relieve inflammation, pain, and fever.
Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine. It blocks a natural substance in your body called histamine. This helps with runny or itchy nose, sneezing, and watery eyes.
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that works in the brain to lower your urge to cough.
Phenylephrine is a decongestant. It clears your sinuses by tightening the blood vessels in your nose.
Drug Facts
What are the side effects of Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough?
Common Side Effects
- Sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Upset stomach
Other Side Effects
Serious Side Effects
- Allergic reaction: rash; hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Stomach bleed: feeling faint or dizzy, long-lasting stomach pain, coughing up or vomiting blood, bloody or dark-colored stools
- Excessive sleepiness or dizziness
- Serotonin syndrome: fast heart rate, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, high fever, confusion
Source: DailyMed
Pros and cons of Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough
Pros
Can treat a wide variety of common cold symptoms
More convenient to take four medications in a single dose
Available over the counter
Available as fruit-flavored tablets that dissolve in water so it can taste better and is easy to take
Cons
Might need to take as often as every 4 hours to relieve symptoms
Might not be the best choice for older adults
Contains sodium (salt), so might not be a good option for people on a low-salt diet
Can't use in children younger than 12 years old
Not recommended during pregnancy because of safety concerns with phenylephrine and aspirin
Pharmacist tips for Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough
Take Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, try taking the medication with food.
You can take Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough as needed for cold symptoms. But taking the medication on a scheduled basis (e.g., every 4 hours) when you're having symptoms might help you get the most relief.
Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough can make you sleepy or dizzy during the day, which can affect how well you can focus, think, or react. Don't drive until you know how the medication affects you. To prevent daytime sleepiness, it might help to take the medication at night and to take the least amount possible to help your symptoms.
Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough usually makes adults sleepy, but it's possible for children who take this medication to become overly excited or energetic. Speak to your child's primary care provider if this happens.
Stop using Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough and contact your primary care provider if you have pain, cough, or nasal congestion that gets worse or lasts more than a week or a fever that gets worse or lasts more than 3 days.
Stop using the medication and call your primary care provider if your cough comes back or occurs with a rash or headache. Also have your primary care provider check out any redness, swelling, or any new symptoms that you have while you're taking Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough. These might be signs of a different or more serious medical condition that this medication might not be able to treat.
Speak to your primary care provider if your sore throat pain is severe; lasts for more than 2 days; or happens with a fever, headache, rash, nausea, or vomiting.
Stop using the medication and get medical care if you have any signs of a stomach bleed, such as feeling faint, vomiting blood, or bloody or dark stools.
Tell your primary care provider or pharmacist about all the medications you're taking, especially if you're taking other NSAIDs, antihistamines, blood thinners, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). It's important to make sure that Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough is safe for you to take with your other medications.
Don't start any new medications while you're taking Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough — particularly medications containing other NSAIDs, antihistamines, cough medications, or decongestants — without talking to your healthcare team or pharmacist first. Doing so can raise your risk of overdose and severe side effects.
If you're pregnant, don't take Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough until you've talked to your primary care provider or pharmacist. This medication isn't generally recommended during pregnancy. Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough contains phenylephrine and aspirin, which are medications that might not be safe during pregnancy. It's not completely clear how safe phenylephrine is and the FDA recommends avoiding aspirin during pregnancy at 20 weeks or later because of the possible risk of harm to the unborn baby.
Frequently asked questions about Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough
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What are the risks and warnings for Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough?
Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Stomach bleeding and ulcers
Risk factors: History of stomach bleeding or ulcers | Also taking other NSAIDs, blood thinners, or corticosteroids | Drinking 3 or more alcoholic beverages per day | Age 60 years or older | Taking Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough for a long time | Taking more Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough than instructed
Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough contains aspirin, which can irritate your stomach. This irritation can feel like stomach pain or heartburn. It can also sometimes lead to more serious stomach problems, including bleeding and ulcers in this area. Stop taking this medication and get medical attention right away if you have stomach pain that doesn't get better; vomit or cough up blood or bits that look like coffee grounds; or have bloody or black, tarry stools. These can be signs of stomach bleeding or a stomach ulcer that should be managed and treated.
Kidney problems
Risk factors: History of kidney or liver problems | History of heart failure | Taking Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough for a long time | Taking certain blood pressure medications (water pills, ACE inhibitors, or ARBs) | Dehydration | Age 65 and older
Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough contains aspirin. At doses of 325 mg or higher and when it's taken for a long period of time, aspirin can cause kidney damage. This risk might be higher if you have liver, kidney, or heart problems.
Let your pharmacist or primary care provider know about your medical history and whether you're taking medications such as ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril (Prinivil)) and ARBs (e.g., losartan (Cozaar)). These medications can affect your kidneys too. Stop taking Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough and tell your primary care provider if you're not urinating as often as usual or have fever, muscle weakness, numbness in your arms or legs, or a fast heartbeat. These can be signs of kidney damage.
Reye's syndrome in children
Risk factors: Children 18 years or younger who are recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms
Aspirin use in children is linked to a rare but serious condition called Reye's syndrome. It typically occurs when children who are recovering from flu-like symptoms or from other viruses take aspirin. Early symptoms of Reye's syndrome include vomiting, headache, confusion, and distress. But it can also sometimes lead to seizures and loss of consciousness. Don't give Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough to a child who has a fever due to the flu. Ask your child's primary care provider for recommendations on treating children when they're sick.
Serotonin syndrome
Risk factors: Taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) 14 days before starting Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough | Taking other medications that raise serotonin levels
Serotonin syndrome is a rare, but potentially life-threatening condition that happens when there's too much serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is one of the chemicals in your brain that's responsible for your mood.
Your risk for this condition goes up if you use Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough with other medications that affect serotonin levels, such as certain antidepressants, MAOIs, and migraine medications (e.g., sumatriptan (Imitrex)). Make sure your pharmacist and primary care provider know about all the medications you take (including over-the-counter medications and supplements). They can check that Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough is safe for you to take with your other medications.
Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of serotonin syndrome, including fast heart rate, sweating, muscle spasms, high fever, or confusion.
Risks from accidentally taking too much medication
Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough contains an NSAID (aspirin), antihistamine (chlorpheniramine), a cough suppressant (dextromethorphan), and a decongestant (phenylephrine), which can be found in many other over-the-counter products. Using more than one medication containing an NSAID, chlorpheniramine (or other antihistamine), dextromethorphan, or a decongestant can cause serious side effects and potentially lead to an accidental overdose. Serious side effects include liver failure, seizures, hallucinations (seeing things that aren't real), or even death.
To prevent an accidental overdose, read package labels carefully. Ask your pharmacist if you're not sure whether a product has any similar ingredients. Get medical help as soon as possible or contact a poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 if you think you or your loved one has accidentally taken too much medication.
Allergic reactions
Risk factors: NSAID allergy
Severe allergic reactions to Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough are possible, including anaphylaxis (closing of the throat). Avoid taking Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough if you have an allergy to aspirin or other NSAID. Call 911 if you have hives; trouble breathing; or swelling of your face, lips, or tongue after you take Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough.
Worsening of certain medical conditions
Risk factors: History of stomach bleeding or stomach problems | Liver problems | Kidney problems | Urinary conditions | Heart disease or high blood pressure | Thyroid condition | High blood sugar (diabetes) | Glaucoma | Cough from smoking, asthma, or emphysema | Mucus-producing cough | Lung problems (e.g., long-term bronchitis)
Before you take Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough, talk with a pharmacist or primary care provider to see whether this medication is the best option for you with the health conditions you have. Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough might not be the best choice if you're 60 years of age or older because you might be more likely to have side effects from the medication.
In addition, Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough might not be right for you if you have a cough that's lasted for a long time; a cough that occurs with smoking, asthma, or emphysema; or a cough with a lot of mucus. It's also possible for Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough to worsen certain medical conditions, such as liver, kidney, or heart disease; high blood pressure; glaucoma; stomach problems; or urination problems.
Caution use in people with phenylketonuria (PKU)
Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough contains phenylalanine, a component of the artificial sweetener aspartame. If you have a genetic condition called phenylketonuria (PKU), taking this medication can be dangerous for you. Let your pharmacist or primary care provider know if you have PKU so they can recommend a different medication that might be safer for you.
Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough dosage forms
Typical dosing for Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough
Each tablet contains 325 mg of aspirin, 2 mg of chlorpheniramine, 10 mg of dextromethorphan, and 7.8 mg of phenylephrine.
Age 12 years and older: Dissolve 2 tablets in 4 ounces (one-half glass) of water and drink the mixture. Repeat every 4 hours, if needed. Don't use more than 8 tablets in a 24-hour period unless a healthcare professional specifically said to do so.
Age under 12 years: Don't use. Ask a pharmacist or your child's primary care provider.
Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough contraindications
What are alternatives to Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold And Cough?
Short-term relief of symptoms from the common cold:
Nasal congestion
Sinus pressure and congestion
Cough
Sore throat
Runny nose
Sneezing
Minor aches and pains
Headache
Fever
Minor aches and pains
Headache
Nasal congestion
Sinus pressure and congestion
Cough
Sore throat
Runny nose
Sneezing
Fever
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References
Best studies we foundArif, H., et al. (2023). Salicylic acid (aspirin). StatPearls.
Aronoff, D. M., et al. (2001). Antipyretics: Mechanisms of action and clinical use in fever suppression. The American Journal of Medicine.
Bayer HealthCare LLC. (2023). Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Cough- aspirin, chlorpheniramine maleate, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, phenylephrine bitartrate tablet, effervescent [package insert]. DailyMed.
Chapman, J., et al. (2023). Reye syndrome. StatPearls.
Johnson, D. A., et al. (1993). The pharmacology of alpha-adrenergic decongestants. Pharmacotherapy.
Lee, S. H., et al. (2019). Chlorpheniramine-induced anaphylaxis: Two case reports and a retrospective review of pharmacovigilance database. Medicine.
McCarthy D. M. (2012). Efficacy and gastrointestinal risk of aspirin used for the treatment of pain and cold. Best Practice & Research. Clinical Gastroenterology.
National Human Genome Research Institute. (2014). About phenylketonuria.
National Kidney Foundation. (n.d.). Pain medications (analgesics).
Oh, S., et al. (2023). Dextromethorphan. StatPearls.
Pagel, J. F., et al. (2009). Excessive daytime sleepiness.
Richards, E., et al. (2023). Phenylephrine. StatPearls.
Siu, A., et al. (2007). Dextromethorphan: A review of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist in the management of pain. Central Nervous System Drug Reviews.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Drug Safety Communication - Avoid use of NSAIDs in pregnancy at 20 weeks or later.
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