Capcof
CapCof is a combination of three medications: chlorpheniramine (antihistamine), codeine (opioid), and phenylephrine (decongestant). It's used to treat symptoms from allergies and the common cold.
What is CapCof?
What is CapCof used for?
Short-term relief of symptoms due to the common cold or allergies:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose or throat
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Cough
- Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
- Nasal passage swelling
How CapCof works
CapCof is a combination of three medications that work together to relieve symptoms caused by the common cold and allergies.
- Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine. It blocks a natural substance in your body called histamine that normally causes allergy symptoms. By blocking histamine, chlorpheniramine relieves runny or itchy nose, sneezing, and watery eyes.
- Codeine is an opioid that works in your brain to lower your urge to cough.
- Phenylephrine is a decongestant that clears your sinuses to relieve sinus pressure.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | CapCof, Maxi-Tuss CD |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antihistamine / Opioid / Decongestant |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Schedule V |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Risks and warnings for CapCof
CapCof 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.
Accidental overdose
CapCof contains an antihistamine (chlorpheniramine), an opioid (codeine), and a decongestant (phenylephrine), which are ingredients found in many other prescription and over-the-counter products. Using more than one medication containing an antihistamine, an opioid, or a decongestant or taking more CapCof than prescribed can lead to serious complications. Such complications include an accidental overdose and serious side effects, like slowed breathing, seizures, hallucinations (seeing things that aren't real), or even death.
Tell your provider or pharmacist about the medications you take before starting CapCof to make sure it's safe for you. Don't start any new medications while taking CapCof without talking to your provider or pharmacist.
To prevent an accidental overdose, read package labels carefully. If you're not sure if a product has an antihistamine, an opioid, or a decongestant, ask your pharmacist. If you or your loved one experiences an accidental overdose, get medical help right away or contact a poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
Sleepiness
- Risk factors: Drinking alcohol while taking CapCof | Taking other medications that cause sleepiness | Age 65 and older
CapCof can make you very sleepy, which can affect your ability to focus, think, or react. This side effect is more likely to happen or be more intense if you're over 65 years old, drink alcohol while taking this medication, or take other medications that cause sleepiness (e.g., opioids, benzodiazepines, sleep medications). Don't drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
Worsening of medical conditions
- Risk factors: Breathing problems (e.g., emphysema, chronic bronchitis, other lung conditions) or shortness of breath | Cough from smoking, asthma, or emphysema | Mucus-producing cough | Heart disease or high blood pressure | Diabetes | Glaucoma | Urinary conditions
Don't take CapCof if you have any of the risk factors listed above unless your provider said it's safe to do so. Taking CapCof can worsen your condition(s) and cause serious side effects. Make sure your provider knows about all medical conditions you have or have had in the past before starting CapCof.
Side effects of CapCof
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Blurry vision
- Dry mouth
Less Common Side Effects
- Restlessness
- Headache
CapCof serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Excessive sleepiness or dizziness
- Slowed breathing
- Signs of an overdose: slowed breathing, not responding to sound or touch, pale or blue skin, seizures, hallucinations
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Pros and cons of CapCof
Pros
- Can treat a wide variety of common cold or allergy symptoms
- More convenient to take three medications in one liquid product
- Can take with or without food
Cons
- Needs to be taken every 4 hours
- Has potential for abuse and misuse (it's a controlled medication)
- Available as a liquid only
Pharmacist tips for CapCof
- You can take CapCof with or without food.
- Use a medication dose cup or an oral syringe to measure your dose of CapCof correctly. Don't use household spoons, because they might not be accurate and cause you to take the wrong dose.
- CapCof can make you sleepy or dizzy during the day, which can affect your ability to focus, think, or react. Don't drive or operate machinery until you know how the medication affects you.
- While CapCof usually makes adults sleepy, it's possible for children who use CapCof to become overly excited or energetic. If this happens to your child, speak to your child's provider.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking CapCof, because this raises your risk of sleepiness and dizziness.
- CapCof can cause constipation. Make sure to eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water. If you become constipated, there are several over-the-counter options available, such as stimulant laxatives and stool softeners, to help treat it. If you're having constipation that won't go away, contact your provider.
- Stop using CapCof and contact your provider if you experience any of the following: cough or nasal congestion that gets worse or lasts more than 7 days; cough with a fever, rash, or headache that won't go away; feeling nervous or dizzy; having trouble sleeping; or if any new symptoms appear while taking CapCof. These might be signs of another underlying medical condition that CapCof might not be appropriate for.
- Tell your provider or pharmacist about all the medications you or your child is taking to make sure CapCof is safe to take. While you're using CapCof, talk to your provider or pharmacist first before starting any new medications, especially those containing opioids, decongestants, or antihistamines. Taking these medications with CapCof can raise your risk of overdose and severe side effects, including slowed breathing, dizziness, and sleepiness.
- Don't use CapCof with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as selegiline, phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). This combination can lead to dangerous changes in your blood pressure. If you've taken an MAOI in the last 2 weeks, don't use CapCof and contact your provider for other options to treat your allergy or common cold symptoms.
CapCof dosage
Bottle of liquid| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 473ml of 2mg/10mg/5mg/5ml | 1 bottle | $40.34 | $40.34 |
Typical dosage for CapCof
It's recommended to use the lowest dose possible for the shortest duration of time to manage your symptoms.
Capcof liquid: Each 5 mL contains 2 mg of chlorpheniramine, 10 mg of codeine, and 5 mg of phenylephrine.
- Adults and children age 12 years and up: The typical dose is 2 teaspoonfuls (10 mL) by mouth every 4 hours. Don't use more than 12 teaspoonfuls (60 mL) in a 24-hour period.
- Children age 6 to 11 years old: The typical dose is 1 teaspoonful (5 mL) by mouth every 4 hours. Don't use more than 6 teaspoonfuls (30 mL) in a 24-hour period.
- Children under 6 years old: Ask your child's provider.
Maxi-Tuss CD liquid: Each 5 mL contains 4 mg of chlorpheniramine, 10 mg of codeine, and 10 mg of phenylephrine.
- Adults and children age 12 years and up: The typical dose is 1 teaspoonful (5 mL) by mouth every 4 hours. Don't use more than 6 teaspoonfuls (30 mL) in a 24-hour period.
- Children age 6 to 11 years old: The typical dose is one-half teaspoonful (2.5 mL) by mouth every 4 hours. Don't use more than 3 teaspoonfuls (15 mL) in a 24-hour period.
- Children under 6 years old: Ask your child's provider.
How much does CapCof cost?
$40.34
CapCof contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because CapCof will not be safe for you to take.
- Currently take or have taken an MAOI in the last 14 days
