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Chlo Tuss

chlophedianol / dexbrompheniramine / pseudoephedrine
Used for Allergic Rhinitis, Cough
Used for Allergic Rhinitis, Cough

Chlo Tuss is a combination medication that contains chlophedianol (a cough suppressant), dexbrompheniramine (an antihistamine), and pseudoephedrine (a decongestant). It's an over-the-counter liquid used to treat symptoms from allergies and the common cold, such as runny nose, cough, and sneezing. Chlo Tuss is taken by mouth every 6 hours. Side effects include sleepiness or restlessness, dizziness, and headache.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on July 9, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageCostContraindicationsAlternativesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Chlo Tuss?

What is Chlo Tuss used for?

Short-term relief of symptoms from allergies and the common cold:

  • Cough from throat and lung irritation

  • Runny nose

  • Sneezing

  • Itchy or watery eyes

  • Itching of the nose or throat

  • Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)

How Chlo Tuss works

Chlo Tuss is a combination of three medications that work together to relieve symptoms caused by allergies and the common cold.

Are you looking for information on Bromfed DM (brompheniramine / dextromethorphan /pseudoephedrine) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsChlo Tuss
Drug ClassCough suppressant / Antihistamine / Decongestant
Controlled Substance ClassificationControlled in some states. See FAQs below.
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityOver-the-counter
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Avg retail price
$18.56(save 19.12%)
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$15.01
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What are the side effects of Chlo Tuss?

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

Other Side Effects

  • Trouble sleeping
  • Dry mouth
  • Trouble urinating
  • Changes in blood pressure (up or down)
  • Blurry vision

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Excessive sleepiness or dizziness

Source: DailyMed

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Chlo Tuss

thumbs-up

Pros

Can treat multiple allergy and common cold symptoms

Available over the counter (but behind the pharmacy counter)

Comes as a liquid, which is a good option for people who have trouble swallowing pills

thumbs-down

Cons

Needs to be taken as often as every 6 hours

Only available as a brand-name medication

Not the best choice for people over 65 years old or people with glaucoma, breathing problems, stomach problems, or urinary problems

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Chlo Tuss

pharmacist

  • You can take Chlo Tuss with or without food. Try taking the medication with food if it upsets your stomach to help lessen any stomach side effects.

    • Use a medication dose cup or an oral syringe to measure your dose of Chlo Tuss. Don't use household spoons because they might not be accurate and using them might cause you to take the wrong dose.

      • The chlophedianol (a cough suppressant) and dexbrompheniramine (an antihistamine) in Chlo Tuss can make you feel sleepy or dizzy during the day. Don't drive or do anything that requires a lot of attention or focus until you know how the medication affects you. Also, avoid drinking alcohol because it can make these side effects worse.

        • Chlo Tuss is only meant to be used temporarily to relieve cold or allergy symptoms. If your symptoms worsen or last longer than a week, or you start to have a fever, rash, or headache, let your healthcare team know. These might be signs that you need more medical attention.

          • Stop taking Chlo Tuss and contact your healthcare team if you experience dizziness, nervousness, or trouble sleeping. These might be side effects from the pseudoephedrine or other medications in Chlo Tuss. Depending on how severe your symptoms are, your care team might lower your dose of Chlo Tuss or ask you to consider alternative medications.

            • Don't start any new medications while taking Chlo Tuss, especially other antihistamines, cough suppressants, or decongestants, without talking to your primary care provider or pharmacist first. Doing so can raise your risk of overdose and severe side effects, including seizures, hallucinations (seeing things that are not real), daytime sleepiness, dizziness, and high blood pressure.

              • Don't take Chlo Tuss with any monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as selegiline, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine, because this combination can cause dangerous changes to your blood pressure. If you've taken an MAOI in the last 14 days, don't use Chlo Tuss and contact your primary care provider for other options to treat your allergy or common cold symptoms.

                faqs

                Frequently asked questions about Chlo Tuss

                What's the difference between Chlo Hist and Chlo Tuss?
                Both Chlo Hist and Chlo Tuss contain chlophedianol (a cough suppressant) and dexbrompheniramine (an antihistamine), which help with symptoms like cough, runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes. But Chlo Tuss contains a third ingredient, pseudoephedrine (a decongestant), which helps with stuffy nose or sinus congestion.
                Can you take Benadryl with Chlo Tuss?
                No. Don't take diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and Chlo Tuss together. Chlo Tuss contains dexbrompheniramine, which is an antihistamine like diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Taking more than one antihistamine at the same time puts you at risk for serious side effects, such as serious behavioral changes, heart problems, and seizures. To prevent taking too many medications from the same class, review the ingredient list of each of your OTC allergy or cold medications. Ask your pharmacist if you're not sure whether you can take certain medications together.
                Does Chlo Tuss make you sleepy?
                Yes, it's possible for Chlo Tuss to make you sleepy. Chlo Tuss contains dexbrompheniramine (an antihistamine) and chlophedianol (a cough suppressant), 2 medications that can cause sleepiness as a side effect. But Chlo Tuss also contains pseudoephedrine, a decongestant that can have the opposite effect and might make it harder for you to sleep. When you first start taking Chlo Tuss, see how the medication affects your sleep. Contact your primary care provider or pharmacist to discuss better options for you if Chlo Tuss is making you too sleepy or interrupting your sleep.
                Is Chlo Tuss a controlled substance?
                Chlo Tuss has pseudoephedrine in it, which has the potential to be misused. So certain states might consider Chlo Tuss a controlled substance and have put strict regulations on the medication. Keep in mind that state laws change from time to time. So, it’s best to ask your primary care provider or pharmacist whether Chlo Tuss is a controlled substance in your state and how to safely take the medication.
                Is Chlo Tuss a narcotic?
                No. Chlo Tuss isn't considered a narcotic because it doesn't have an opioid pain medication in it.
                Is Chlo Tuss over the counter?
                Yes, Chlo Tuss is an over-the-counter medication that can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription. But if your pharmacy carries Chlo Tuss, it should be located at the pharmacy counter (also called behind the counter) because it's a restricted medication. You'll need to show photo identification and provide your signature when you buy the medication since it contains pseudoephedrine, which has the potential to be misused. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about purchasing Chlo Tuss.
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                What are the risks and warnings for Chlo Tuss?

                Chlo Tuss 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.

                risk-warning

                Accidental overdose

                Chlo Tuss contains a cough suppressant (chlophedianol), antihistamine (dexbrompheniramine), and a decongestant (pseudoephedrine), which can be found in many other over-the-counter products. Using more than one medication containing a cough suppressant, antihistamine (including products used on the skin), or decongestant can lead to an accidental overdose and cause serious side effects. These can include high blood pressure, anxiety or other behavior changes, confusion, seizures, hallucinations, or even death.

                Tell your healthcare professional (HCP) or pharmacist about the medications you take before starting Chlo Tuss to make sure it's safe for you. Don't start any new medications while taking Chlo Tuss without talking to your HCP or pharmacist. To prevent an accidental overdose, read package labels carefully. If you're not sure if a product has a cough suppressant, antihistamine, or 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.

                risk-warning

                Worsening of certain medical conditions

                • Risk factors: Heart disease or high blood pressure | Thyroid problems | High blood sugar (diabetes) | Glaucoma | Cough from smoking, asthma, or emphysema | Mucus-producing cough | Breathing problems (e.g., emphysema, long-term bronchitis) | Trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate

                  Chlo Tuss might not the best choice for you if you're 65 years of age or older, or have certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, glaucoma, breathing problems (asthma, or emphysema), thyroid problems, or trouble urinating. Additionally, you might need other treatment if you have a cough that's lasted for a long time, a cough that occurs with smoking, or a cough with a lot of mucus. Let your primary care provider or pharmacist know about the medical conditions you have. Ask them whether Chlo Tuss is safe and appropriate for you to take.

                  dosage

                  Chlo Tuss dosage forms

                  The average cost for 120 ml of 12.5mg/1mg/30mg/5ml of Chlo Tuss is $15.01 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 19.12% off the average retail price of $18.56.
                  ml of oral solution
                  Ml of oral solution
                  DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                  12.5mg/1mg/30mg/5ml120 ml$15.01$0.13

                  Typical dosing for Chlo Tuss

                  Each teaspoonful (5 mL) of Chlo Tuss contains 12.5 mg of chlophedianol, 1 mg of dexbrompheniramine, and 30 mg of pseudoephedrine.

                  • Adults and children ages 12 years and up: The typical dose is 2 teaspoonfuls (10 mL) by mouth every 6 hours. Don't take more than 8 teaspoonfuls (40 mL) in a 24-hour period.

                  • Children ages 6 years to under 12 years old: The typical dose is 1 teaspoonful (5 mL) by mouth every 6 hours. Don't take more than 4 teaspoonfuls (20 mL) in a 24-hour period.

                  • Children under 6 years old: Ask your child's pediatrician.

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                  How much does Chlo Tuss cost?

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                  Chlo Tuss (brand)
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                  contraindications-icon

                  Chlo Tuss 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 Chlo Tuss will not be safe for you to take.
                  alternatives

                  What are alternatives to Chlo Tuss?

                  There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Chlo Tuss. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                  Chlo Tuss
                  Used for:

                  Short-term relief of symptoms from allergies and the common cold:

                  • Cough from throat and lung irritation

                  • Runny nose

                  • Sneezing

                  • Itchy or watery eyes

                  • Itching of the nose or throat

                  • Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)

                  $15.01 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                  Bromfed DM
                  Used for:

                  • Cough

                  • Runny nose

                  • Sneezing

                  • Itchy or watery eyes

                  • Itching of the nose or throat

                  • Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)

                  $10.84 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                  Rynex DM
                  Used for:

                  • Cough from throat and lung irritation

                  • Runny nose

                  • Sneezing

                  • Itchy or watery eyes

                  • Itching of the nose or throat

                  • Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)

                  $5.49 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices

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                  References

                  Best studies we found

                  Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration. (2020). Narcotics.

                  PubChem. (n.d.). Clofedanol. National Library of Medicine.

                  R.A. NcNeil Company. (2024). Chlo Tuss- chlophedianol hydrochloride, dexbrompheniramine maleate, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride liquid [package insert]. DailyMed.

                  GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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