INN monograph
Chlorpheniramine
Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class) · POM
Verified · Updated 01 Aug 2026 · Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; FDA drug label via OpenFDA/DailyMed; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Kenya market
Wholesale / list prices where loaded
Risk first
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active substance or excipients.
- Additional absolute contraindications are indication- and product-specific — consult SmPC.
Precautions
- Warnings Ask a doctor before use if you have a breathing problem such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis glaucoma difficulty in urination due to enlargement of the prostate gland
Point of care
Dosing
Adult
Directions adults and children 12 years of age and over: take 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 6 tablets (24 mg) in 24 hours, or as directed by a doctor children under 12 years of age: consult a doctor
Paediatric
See label paediatric section if present; otherwise use paediatric formulary — do not extrapolate adult doses.
Renal
Review renal impairment dosing; many agents need CrCl/eGFR adjustment.
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Hepatic
Review hepatic impairment dosing; monitor LFTs if agent is hepatically cleared or hepatotoxic.
Safety
Drug interactions
- Professional use: confirm indication, dose, duration, monitoring and patient counselling points against current Kenya STG / EML and the product SmPC.
- Document allergy status and key interactions.
Safety
Adverse effects
- Drowsiness
- psychomotor impairment
- anti-muscarinic effects [e.g. urinary retention
- dry mouth
- GI disturbances
- blurred vision]
- allergic reactions
- epileptic form seizure in patients with cerebral cortex focal lesion
- muscle weakness
- tachycardia
- tight chest
- paradoxical CNS stimulation - mostly in children.
Use
Indications
- Uses temporarily relieves these symptoms due to hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or other upper respiratory allergies: sneezing runny nose itching of the nose or throat itchy, watery eyes Clinical selection for Chlorpheniramine should follow culture results where relevant, Kenya STG/EML recommendations, and the current product SmPC.
- Class context: Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class).
- Confirm site-specific dose, duration and monitoring before prescribing.
Pharmacology
Mode of action
It acts by competing with histamine for H1-receptor sites on effector cells.
Full mechanism text
It acts by competing with histamine for H1-receptor sites on effector cells. Its anticholinergic actions give a drying effect on the nasal mucosa. Mechanism is agent-specific. At receptor, enzyme, ion channel, transporter or microbial target level, the drug alters a physiological or pathological pathway to produce its therapeutic effect. Confirm precise molecular mechanism in current SmPC / pharmacology reference for this INN before high-stakes decisions.
ADME
Pharmacokinetics & PD
| Onset | Product-specific |
|---|---|
| Duration | Product-specific |
| Route | See product SmPC |
| Elimination | are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT |
| Half-life | when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC. |
Full PK/PD text
Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT metabolism, renal clearance and half-life when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC.
Kenya
Brands & prices
| Brand | Company | Pack | KES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allerex | Highchem | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Allergex | Adcock Ingram | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Allerief | Crescent Pharma Ltd | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Cariton | Independent / Registered Supplier | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Chaleate | Laboratory & Allied Ltd. | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Chlophemed | Distributed by Medisel (K) Limited | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| CHLOPHEMED IM/IV | DAIMA BIASHARA / Wholesale Import | 10MG/ML AMPS 10*S | 45.15 |
| CPM, Laborate | Laborate | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Dawa CPM | Dawa Limited | Standard Commercial Pack | 30.10 |
| Phenalin | Sphinx Pharmaceuticals Ltd | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Piriclor | Biodeal Laboratories Ltd. | Standard Commercial Pack | 48.38 |
| PIRICLOR SYP | DAIMA BIASHARA / Wholesale Import | 60ML | 38.70 |
| Piriton | GlaxoSmithkline | Standard Commercial Pack | 400.73 |
| Rinalin | Regal Pharmaceuticals | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Seepem | Nestor | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| ZEDITONE | ZAIN PHARMA LIMITED | H2021/CTD8640/19880 (36 months) | 960.00 |
Special populations
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
Use only if potential benefit justifies potential risk; prefer agents with better reproductive data when alternatives exist.
Lactation
Assess infant risk vs benefit of maternal therapy; prefer agents with lactation data.
Diet
Food & alcohol
- Food
- Food
Trust
Sources & disclaimer
Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; FDA drug label via OpenFDA/DailyMed; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Last reviewed: 01 Aug 2026
Decision support only — not a substitute for clinical judgment, product SmPC, or Kenya STG/EML.