Medically reviewed by Meghan Maynard Harlan. Last updated on November 2, 2024
MERCODOL® with DECAPRYN®
Hoechst Marion Roussel
Hydrocodone Bitartrate – Etafedrine HCl Sodium Citrate – Doxylamine Succinate
Antihistaminic – Antitussive – Decongestant
Indications And Clinical Uses: The treatment of cough associated with inflamed mucosa, which does not respond to products of lesser potency.
Contra-Indications: Patients receiving MAO inhibitors, sensitivity to any of the components.
Precautions: Before prescribing medication to suppress or modify cough, it is important to ascertain that the underlying cause of the cough is identified, that modification of the cough does not increase the risk of clinical or physiologic complications, and that appropriate therapy for the primary disease is provided.
Use with caution in patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, cardiac disorders, glaucoma, or peripheral vascular disorders.
In young children the respiratory centre is especially susceptible to the depressant action of narcotic cough suppressants. Benefit to risk ratio should be carefully considered, especially in children with respiratory embarrassment, e.g., croup. Estimation of dosage relative to the child’s age and weight is of great importance.
Pregnancy: Since hydrocodone crosses the placental barrier, its use in pregnancy is not recommended.
As hydrocodone may inhibit peristalsis, patients with chronic constipation should be given this product only after weighing the potential therapeutic benefit against the hazards involved.
Mercodol with Decapryn contains hydrocodone – may be habit-forming.
Occupational Hazards: Patients should be cautioned not to operate vehicles or hazardous machinery until their response to the drug has been determined.
Since the depressant effects of antihistamines are additive to those of other drugs affecting the CNS, patients should be cautioned against drinking alcoholic beverages or taking hypnotics, sedatives, psychotherapeutic agents or other drugs with CNS depressant effects during antihistaminic therapy.
Adverse Reactions: Drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, nervousness, palpitation, or increased blood pressure seldom occur.
Symptoms And Treatment Of Overdose: Symptoms: Slow pulse, flushed face, feeling of lightness in head, temporary anuria, nausea and vomiting, gastric pain, convulsive motions, tremor, respiratory paralysis, extreme general vasodilation.
Treatment: Naloxone HCl.
Dosage: Adults: 5 mL every 3 to 5 hours but not more than 30 mL in any 24-hour period. Children 6 to 12 years of age, 2.5 to 5 mL – with a maximum of 15 mL in any 24-hour period. Children 1 to 6 years: 1.25 to 2.5 mL with a maximum of 3 doses in any 24-hour period.
Availability And Storage: Each mL contains: hydrocodone bitartrate 0.33 mg, etafedrine HCl 3.33 mg, sodium citrate 40 mg, doxylamine succinate 1.2 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: alcohol, artificial blackcurrant flavor, benzoic acid, butylparaben, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Red No. 2, FD&C Yellow No. 6, glycerin, menthol, natural tolu flavor, purified water, sucrose and thyme oil. Energy: 63.6 kJ (15.2 kcal)/5 mL. Bottles of 100 mL and 2 L.
MERCODOL® with DECAPRYN® Hoechst Marion Roussel Hydrocodone Bitartrate – Etafedrine HCl Sodium Citrate – Doxylamine Succinate Antihistaminic – Antitussive – Decongestant
About Meghan Maynard Harlan