Drug interactions
Dexchlorpheniramine + Diphenoxylate-atropine
Severity: Moderate
Dexchlorpheniramine and Diphenoxylate-atropine: 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
Dexchlorpheniramine is a sedating antihistamine with anticholinergic properties. Combined with diphenoxylate-atropine, drowsiness and antimuscarinic effects such as dry mouth, constipation and urinary retention may increase.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexchlorpheniramine and Diphenoxylate-atropine 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.
Dexchlorpheniramine belongs to Respiratory; Diphenoxylate-atropine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and antimuscarinic effects.
What to do
Monitor for sedation and anticholinergic effects, particularly in older adults, and counsel against driving.
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 Diphenoxylate-atropine
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Diphenoxylate-atropine Major
- Alvimopan + Diphenoxylate-atropine Major
- Amitriptyline + Diphenoxylate-atropine Major
Other interactions of Dexchlorpheniramine
- Alprazolam + Dexchlorpheniramine Moderate
- Amisulpride + Dexchlorpheniramine Moderate
- Amitriptyline + Dexchlorpheniramine Moderate
- Amobarbital + Dexchlorpheniramine Moderate
- Asenapine + Dexchlorpheniramine Moderate
- Azelastine-fluticasone + Dexchlorpheniramine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dexchlorpheniramine with Diphenoxylate-atropine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dexchlorpheniramine and Diphenoxylate-atropine 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. Dexchlorpheniramine is a sedating antihistamine with anticholinergic properties. Combined with diphenoxylate-atropine, drowsiness and antimuscarinic effects such as dry mouth, constipation and urinary retention may increase.
How serious is the interaction between Dexchlorpheniramine and Diphenoxylate-atropine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for sedation and anticholinergic effects, particularly in older adults, and counsel against driving.
What other medicines interact with Diphenoxylate-atropine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Diphenoxylate-atropine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine. The full list is on the Diphenoxylate-atropine page.
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