chlophedianol / dexchlorpheniramine / pseudoephedrine
Vanacof is a combination of three medications: chlophedianol (a cough suppressant), dexchlorpheniramine (an antihistamine), and pseudoephedrine (a decongestant). Adults and children can take it to treat symptoms of allergies and the common cold, such as runny nose, cough, and sneezing. It's a liquid solution that's taken by mouth every 6 hours. Some side effects of Vanacof include sleepiness, dizziness, and headache. Vanacof is an over-the-counter medication that's found behind the pharmacy counter because it contains pseudoephedrine.
What is Vanacof?
What is Vanacof used for?
Short-term relief of symptoms due to allergic rhinitis (hay fever), common cold, or other types of allergies:
- Cough from scratchy throat
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Stuffy nose
- Itchy nose or throat
How Vanacof works
Vanacof is a combination of three medications that work together to relieve symptoms caused by allergies and the common cold.
- Chlophedianol is a cough suppressant that works in the brain to lower your urge to cough.
- Dexchlorpheniramine is an antihistamine. It blocks histamine, a natural chemical in your body that causes congestion (stuffy nose), watery eyes, and sneezing.
- Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that tightens the blood vessels in your nose to help clear your stuffy nose and sinus pressure.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Vanacof |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Cough suppressant / Antihistamine / Decongestant |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Controlled in some states. See FAQs below. |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Over-the-counter |
Side effects of Vanacof
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 or restlessness
- Dizziness
- Headache
Less Common Side Effects
- Trouble sleeping
- Feeling restless
- Changes in blood pressure (up or down)
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Pros and cons of Vanacof
Pros
- Taken by mouth
- Available over the counter (but behind the pharmacy counter)
- Convenient to take because it's a combination of three medications
Cons
- Might need to take every 6 hours
- Only available as a liquid
- Older adults at higher risk for certain side effects, like dizziness and drowsiness
Pharmacist tips for Vanacof
- You can take Vanacof with or without food. Try taking the medication with food if it upsets your stomach to help lessen any stomach side effects.
- Vanacof comes with a medication dosing cup. Be sure to use this cup to measure your dose of Vanacof. Don't use household spoons because they might not be accurate and can cause you to take the wrong dose.
- Vanacof can make you feel sleepy or dizzy. Don't drive or do anything that requires a lot of focus and attention until you know how this medication affects you.
- Don't drink alcohol while taking Vanacof because doing so can worsen sleepiness.
- Talk with your primary care provider and stop taking Vanacof if your cough or stuffy nose lasts longer than a week, tends to keep coming back, or occurs with a fever, rash, or headache. These might be signs of a more serious medical condition that needs more medical attention.
- Don't start any new medications while taking Vanacof, especially other antihistamines, cough suppressants, or decongestants, without talking to your healthcare professional (HCP) or pharmacist first. Doing so can raise your risk of overdose and severe side effects, including seizures, hallucinations (seeing things that aren't real), daytime sleepiness, dizziness, and high blood pressure.
- Don't take Vanacof with any monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as selegiline, phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). This combination can cause dangerous changes to your blood pressure. If you've taken an MAOI in the last 14 days, don't use Vanacof and contact your HCP for other options to treat your allergy or common cold symptoms.
Risks and warnings for Vanacof
Vanacof 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
Vanacof contains a cough suppressant (chlophedianol), antihistamine (dexchlorpheniramine), 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, daytime sleepiness, dizziness, seizures, hallucinations, or even death.
Tell your healthcare professional (HCP) or pharmacist about the medications you take before starting Vanacof to make sure it's safe for you. Don't start any new medications while taking Vanacof 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.
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) | Urinary conditions
Vanacof might not the best choice for you if you're [65 years of age or older](If you're pregnant, don't take Vanacof until you've talked to a healthcare professional first. Vanacof contains pseudoephedrine, which might not be safe to take during pregnancy. A healthcare professional can discuss the risks and benefits of taking Vanacof if you're pregnant and possibly recommend safer options. Ask your healthcare team or pharmacist about options for relieving your allergy or cold symptoms during pregnancy.), 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 Vanacof is safe and appropriate for you to take.
Vanacof dosage
Bottle of liquid| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 473ml of 12.5mg/1mg/30mg/5ml | 1 bottle | $52.29 | $52.29 |
Typical dosage for Vanacof
Each 5 milliliter (mL) of Vanacof contains 12.5 mg of chlophedianol, 1 mg of dexchlorpheniramine, and 30 mg of pseudoephedrine.
- Age 12 years and up: The typical dose is 10 mL by mouth every 6 hours. Don't use more than 40 mL in a 24-hour period.
- Age 6 years to under 12 years: The typical dose is 5 mL by mouth every 6 hours. Don't use more than 20 mL in a 24-hour period.
- Age under 6 years: Ask your child's pediatrician.
How much does Vanacof cost?
$52.29
Vanacof 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 Vanacof will not be safe for you to take.
- Have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the last 14 days
What are alternatives to Vanacof?
Short-term relief of symptoms due to allergic rhinitis (hay fever), common cold, or other types of allergies:
