carbetapentane

Generic Name: carbetapentane (kar bay ta PEN tane)Brand Names: solotuss

What is carbetapentane?

Carbetapentane is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.

Carbetapentane is used to treat cough that is caused by the common cold, flu, bronchitis, or sinusitis.

Carbetapentane will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

Carbetapentane may also be used for other purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about carbetapentane?

Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children. Carbetapentane should never be given to a child younger than 2 years old. Do not take carbetapentane if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take carbetapentane before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

Before taking carbetapentane, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, circulation problems, glaucoma, diabetes, a thyroid disorder, enlarged prostate, or problems with urination.

Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by carbetapentane.

Do not use any other over-the-counter cough or cold medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of a certain drug. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains a cough suppressant.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking carbetapentane?

Do not take carbetapentane if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take carbetapentane before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body. Do not use this medication if you are allergic to carbetapentane. Carbetapentane should never be given to a child younger than 2 years old.

Before taking carbetapentane, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• heart disease or high blood pressure;

• circulation problems;

• glaucoma;

• an enlarged prostate or problems with urination;

• diabetes; or

• a thyroid disorder.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use carbetapentane, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Carbetapentane can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

This medication may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before carbetapentane if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

How should I take carbetapentane?

Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended. Cough medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.

You may take carbetapentane with or without food.

Shake the liquid medicine well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache or skin rash. Store carbetapentane at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow the liquid to freeze.

See also: Carbetapentane dosage in more detail

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since cold medicine is usually taken only as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a carbetapentane overdose may include confusion, agitation, or feeling restless or nervous.

What should I avoid while taking carbetapentane?

This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by carbetapentane. Do not use any other over-the-counter cough or cold medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Cough suppressants are contained in many over-the-counter medications. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of a certain drug. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains a cough suppressant.

Carbetapentane side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;

• severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness;

• confusion, hallucinations; or

• slow, shallow breathing.

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;

• drowsiness, dizziness;

• sleep problems (insomnia); or

• mild skin rash or itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Carbetapentane Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Cough:

Carbetapentane 30 mg/5 mL oral suspension, extended release:5 to 10 mL orally every 12 hours.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Cough:

Carbetapentane 30 mg/5 mL oral suspension, extended release:2 to 5 years: 1.25 mL to 2.5 mL orally every 12 hours.6 to 11 years: 2.5 mL to 5 mL orally every 12 hours.12 years or older: 5 mL to 10 mL orally every 12 hours.

What other drugs will affect carbetapentane?

There may be other drugs that can interact with carbetapentane. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about carbetapentane.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.02. Revision Date: 4/12/2009 4:41:23 PM.