Atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine decrease the amount of nasal and respiratory secretions (release of fluids) in the body that may cause sneezing, runny nose, and postnasal drip.

Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine. It works in your body against a natural chemical called histamine. Chlorpheniramine prevents sneezing; itchy, watery eyes and nose; and other symptoms of allergies and hay fever.

Phenylephrine is a decongestant. It works by shrinking blood vessels in the body, reducing blood flow and allowing nasal passages to open up.

Atropine, chlorpheniramine, hyoscyamine, phenylephrine, and scopolamine is used to treat symptoms of allergies, hay fever, and the common cold.

This medication may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. An overdose of this medication can cause serious harm.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

If your symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you have a fever, talk to your doctor.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Do not take this medication together with the following drugs:

• a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) taken in the past 14 days, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Carbex), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);

• medicines that make you sleepy (such as alcohol, cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxants, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety); or

• other medications that also contain atropine, chlorpheniramine, hyoscyamine, phenylephrine, or scopolamine.

Check the labels of all other medications you take.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect atropine, chlorpheniramine, hyoscyamine, phenylephrine, and scopolamine. 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.

Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather. Atropine and hyoscyamine increase the risk of heat stroke because they cause decreased sweating.

Do not take atropine, chlorpheniramine, hyoscyamine, phenylephrine, and scopolamine if you have taken selegiline (Eldepryl, Carbex) or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

Avoid drinking alcohol because it may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking atropine, chlorpheniramine, hyoscyamine, phenylephrine, and scopolamine.

Avoid using other drugs that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxants, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). Other medications may also contain atropine, chlorpheniramine, hyoscyamine, phenylephrine, scopolamine or other similar drugs. You may accidentally take too much of these medicines and dangerous sedation could result.

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.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of an atropine, chlorpheniramine, hyoscyamine, phenylephrine, and scopolamine overdose may include a dry mouth, large pupils, flushing, seizures, nausea, and vomiting.

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 the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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.

Avoid drinking alcohol because it may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking atropine, chlorpheniramine, hyoscyamine, phenylephrine, and scopolamine.

Avoid using other drugs that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxants, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). Other medications may also contain atropine, chlorpheniramine, hyoscyamine, phenylephrine, scopolamine or other similar drugs. You may accidentally take too much of these medicines and dangerous sedation could result.

Do not take atropine, chlorpheniramine, hyoscyamine, phenylephrine, and scopolamine if you have taken selegiline (Eldepryl, Carbex) or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

If your symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you have a fever, talk to your doctor.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have:

• epilepsy or another seizure disorder;

• peripheral vascular disease such as Raynaud’s syndrome;

• thyroid problems;

• asthma, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);

• diabetes;

• glaucoma;

• an ulcer or an obstruction in the stomach;

• bladder problems or difficulty urinating;

• an enlarged prostate;

• high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, or any type of heart disease;

• kidney problems; or

• liver problems.

If you have any of the conditions listed above, you may not be able to take this medication, or you may require a dosage 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.

This medication can pass into breast milk and may be harmful to a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to have side effects from this medication. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose.

Consult your doctor before giving this medication to a child. Children are more sensitive to the effects of medicines and may have unusual reactions.

Your pharmacist has additional information about atropine, chlorpheniramine, hyoscyamine, phenylephrine, and scopolamine written for health professionals that you may read.

Atropine, chlorpheniramine, hyoscyamine, phenylephrine, and scopolamine is available both with a prescription under the brand name AccuHist LA. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.