Drug interactions
Chlorpheniramine + Ethanol
Severity: Moderate
Chlorpheniramine and Ethanol: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Alcohol and the sedating antihistamine chlorpheniramine each depress the central nervous system. Taken together they can produce marked drowsiness, slowed reaction time and impaired psychomotor performance, raising the risk of accidents.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chlorpheniramine and Ethanol can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Additive central nervous system depression through H1-receptor blockade and enhancement of GABAergic inhibition by alcohol.
What to do
Advise patients to avoid alcohol while taking chlorpheniramine and to refrain from driving or operating machinery. Consider a non-sedating antihistamine if alcohol use is expected.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Chlorpheniramine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chlorpheniramine with Ethanol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chlorpheniramine and Ethanol can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Alcohol and the sedating antihistamine chlorpheniramine each depress the central nervous system. Taken together they can produce marked drowsiness, slowed reaction time and impaired psychomotor performance, raising the risk of accidents.
How serious is the interaction between Chlorpheniramine and Ethanol?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise patients to avoid alcohol while taking chlorpheniramine and to refrain from driving or operating machinery. Consider a non-sedating antihistamine if alcohol use is expected.
What other medicines interact with Chlorpheniramine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Chlorpheniramine with, for example, Belladonna and opium, Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen, Brexanolone. The full list is on the Chlorpheniramine page.
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