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chlophedianol / dexchlorpheniramine / pseudoephedrine

Generic Vanacof
Used for Allergic Rhinitis, Cold Symptoms
Used for Allergic Rhinitis, Cold Symptoms

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.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Allison Gourley, PharmD
Last reviewed on April 18, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageCostContraindicationsAlternativesImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

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.

Are you looking for information on Chlo Tuss (chlophedianol / dexbrompheniramine / pseudoephedrine) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsVanacof
Drug ClassCough suppressant / Antihistamine / Decongestant
Controlled Substance ClassificationControlled in some states. See FAQs below.
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityOver-the-counter
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$24.61
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What are the 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

Other Side Effects

  • Trouble sleeping
  • Feeling restless
  • Changes in blood pressure (up or down)

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

  • Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
  • Heart palpitations—rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
  • Increase in blood pressure
  • Sudden eye pain or change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss
  • Trouble passing urine

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Vanacof

thumbs-up

Pros

Taken by mouth

Available over the counter (but behind the pharmacy counter)

Convenient to take because it's a combination of three medications

thumbs-down

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

Pharmacist tips for Vanacof

pharmacist

  • 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.

        • 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.

            faqs

            Frequently asked questions about Vanacof

            Is Vanacof a narcotic?
            No, Vanacof isn't a narcotic because it doesn't contain an opioid pain medication as an ingredient.
            Is Vanacof a controlled substance?
            Though not all, certain states might consider Vanacof a controlled substance and have put strict regulations on the medication. This is because the pseudoephedrine in Vanacof has the potential to be misused. Keep in mind that state laws change from time to time. So, it’s best to ask your primary care provider or pharmacist whether Vanacof is a controlled substance in your state and how to safely take the medication.
            Is Vanacof over the counter?
            Yes. You can usually find Vanacof at the pharmacy counter (also called behind the counter). You won't need a prescription for it in most regions, but you'll need to show photo identification and provide your signature when you buy the medication. Ask your pharmacist if you're not sure where you can find Vanacof in the pharmacy.
            Does Vanacof have codeine?
            No, Vanacof doesn't have codeine in it, which is sometimes used as a cough suppressant. Instead, Vanacof has chlophedianol as its cough suppressant; it also contains dexchlorpheniramine (an antihistamine) and pseudoephedrine (a decongestant).
            Does Vanacof make you sleepy?
            You might feel sleepy after taking Vanacof because it contains both dexchlorpheniramine and chlophedianol, two medications that can cause sleepiness as a side effect. But Vanacof also contains pseudoephedrine, a medication that can make it difficult for you to fall asleep. Pay attention to how Vanacof affects your sleep. Speak to your primary care provider if the medication is making you too sleepy or interrupting your sleep and affecting your daily activities. There might be better options for you to relieve your symptoms.
            Can you take acetaminophen (Tylenol) with Vanacof?
            Vanacof doesn't have any known interactions with acetaminophen (Tylenol). But acetaminophen (Tylenol) might not be a good option for people who have certain medical conditions, such as liver problems. Ask your primary care provider if taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) with Vanacof is safe for you.
            Can I use Vanacof if I'm pregnant?
            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.
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            What are the 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.

            risk-warning

            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.

            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) | 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.

              dosage

              Vanacof dosage forms

              The average cost for 1 bottle of 473ml of 12.5mg/1mg/30mg/5ml of Vanacof is $24.61 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 50.94% off the average retail price of $50.16.
              bottle of liquid
              Bottle of liquid
              DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
              473ml of 12.5mg/1mg/30mg/5ml1 bottle$24.61$24.61

              Typical dosing 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.

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              How much does Vanacof cost?

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              Vanacof (generic)
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              contraindications-icon

              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.
              alternatives

              What are alternatives to Vanacof?

              There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Vanacof. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
              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

              $24.61 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
              Alahist CF
              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)

              $16.72 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
              Histex-DM
              Used for:

              • Cough

              • Runny nose

              • Sneezing

              • Itchy nose or throat

              • Itchy or watery eyes

              • Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)

              • Sinus congestion

              $17.85 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
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              Vanacof images

              This medicine is Colorless Bottle Of Oral Solution.

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              References

              Best studies we found

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

              GM Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2024). Vanacof- chlophedianol hydrochloride, dexchlorpheniramine maleate, and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride liquid [package insert]. DailyMed.

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

              View All References (1)

              U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Legal requirements for the sale and purchase of drug products containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine.

              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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