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Antihistamines and Decongestants  (Systemic)

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Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

  • Allerest Maximum Strength7
  • Allerphed14
  • Atrohist Pediatric7
  • Atrohist Pediatric Suspension Dye Free8
  • Benadryl Allergy Decongestant Liquid Medication10
  • Brofed Liquid3
  • Bromadrine TR3
  • Bromfed3
  • Bromfed-PD3
  • Bromfenex3
  • Bromfenex PD3
  • Chlordrine S.R.7
  • Chlorfed A7
  • Chlor-Trimeton 4 Hour Relief7
  • Chlor-Trimeton 12 Hour Relief7
  • Chlor-Trimeton Allergy-D 12 Hour7
  • Claritin-D 12 Hour11
  • Claritin-D 24 Hour11
  • Colfed-A7
  • Comhist6
  • CP Oral4
  • Dallergy Jr3
  • Deconamine7
  • Deconamine SR7
  • Deconomed SR7
  • Dexaphen SA9
  • Disobrom9
  • Disophrol Chronotabs9
  • Drixomed9
  • Drixoral Cold and Allergy9
  • Ed A-Hist5
  • Hayfebrol7
  • Histatab Plus5
  • Iofed3
  • Iofed PD3
  • Kronofed-A Jr. Kronocaps7
  • Kronofed-A Kronocaps7
  • Lodrane LD3
  • Lodrane Liquid3
  • Mooredec4
  • Nalex-A6
  • ND Clear T.D.7
  • Novafed A7
  • PediaCare Cold Formula7
  • Poly Hist Forte8
  • Promethazine VC13
  • Prometh VC Plain13
  • Pseudo-Chlor7
  • Rescon7
  • Rescon-ED7
  • Rescon JR7
  • Respahist3
  • Rhinosyn7
  • Rhinosyn-PD7
  • Rinade B.I.D.7
  • Rondamine4
  • Rondec4
  • Rondec Chewable3
  • Rondec Drops4
  • Rondec-TR4
  • R-Tannamine8
  • R-Tannamine Pediatric8
  • R-Tannate8
  • Semprex-D1
  • Silafed14
  • Tanafed7
  • Trinalin Repetabs2
  • Triotann8
  • Triotann Pediatric8
  • Triotann-S Pediatric8
  • Tri-Tannate8
  • ULTRAbrom3
  • ULTRAbrom PD3

In Canada—

  • Claritin Extra11
  • Drixoral9
  • Drixoral Night9
  • Drixtab9
  • Neo Citran A12
  • Trinalin Repetabs2
  • Vasofrinic7

Note:

In November 2000, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health warning regarding phenylpropanolamine (PPA) due to the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. The FDA, supported by results of a research program, requested that manufacturers voluntarily discontinue marketing products that contain PPA and that consumers work with their healthcare providers to select alternative products.

Note:

For quick reference the following antihistamine and decongestant combinations are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.
This information applies to the following medicines:
1.  Acrivastine and Pseudoephedrine (AK-ri-vas-teen and soo-doe-e-FED-rin)
2.  Azatadine and Pseudoephedrine (a-ZA-ta-deen and soo-doe-e-FED-rin)
3.  Brompheniramine and Pseudoephedrine (brome-fen-EER-a-meen and soo-doe-e-FED-rin)
4.  Carbinoxamine and Pseudoephedrine (kar-bi-NOX-a-meen and soo-doe-e-FED-rin)
5.  Chlorpheniramine and Phenylephrine (klor-fen-EER-a-meen and fen-ill-EF-rin)
6.  Chlorpheniramine, Phenyltoloxamine, and Phenylephrine (klor-fen-EER-a-meen fen-ill-toe-LOX-a-meen and fen-ill-EF-rin)
7.  Chlorpheniramine and Pseudoephedrine (klor-fen-EER-a-meen and soo-doe-e-FED-rin)
8.  Chlorpheniramine, Pyrilamine, and Phenylephrine (klor-fen-EER-a-meen peer-ILL-a-meen and fen-ill-EF-rin)
9.  Dexbrompheniramine and Pseudoephedrine (dex-brom-fen-EER-a-meen and soo-doe-e-FED-rin)
10.  Diphenhydramine and Pseudoephedrine (dye-fen-HYE-dra-meen and soo-doe-e-FED-rin)
11.  Loratadine and Pseudoephedrine (lor-AT-a-deen and soo-doe-e-FED-rin)
12.  Pheniramine and Phenylephrine (fen-EER-a-meen and fen-ill-EF-rin)*
13.  Promethazine and Phenylephrine (proe-METH-a-zeen and fen-ill-EF-rin)
14.  Triprolidine and Pseudoephedrine (trye-PROE-li-deen and soo-doe-e-FED-rin)
15.  Cetirizine and Pseudoephedrine (trye-PROE-li-deen and soo-doe-e-FED-rin)
‡  Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
§  Generic name product may be available in Canada
*  Not commercially available in the U.S.
†  Not commercially available in Canada

Category


Description

Antihistamine and decongestant combinations are used to treat the nasal congestion (stuffy nose), sneezing, and runny nose caused by colds and hay fever.

Antihistamines work by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine, which is produced by the body. Histamine can cause itching, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. Antihistamines contained in these combinations are:

acrivastine, azatadine, brompheniramine, carbinoxamine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, dexbrompheniramine, diphenhydramine, loratadine, pheniramine, phenyltoloxamine, promethazine, pyrilamine, and triprolidine.

The decongestants, such as phenylephrine, and pseudoephedrine, produce a narrowing of blood vessels. This leads to clearing of nasal congestion, but it may also cause an increase in blood pressure in patients who have high blood pressure.

Some of these combinations are available only with your doctor's prescription. Others are available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper dose of the medicine for your medical condition. They are available in the following dosage forms:



Before Using This Medicine

If you are taking this medicine without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For antihistamine and decongestant combinations, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to antihistamines or to amphetamine, dextroamphetamine (e.g., Dexedrine), ephedrine (e.g., Ephed II), epinephrine (e.g., Adrenalin), isoproterenol (e.g., Isuprel), metaproterenol (e.g., Alupent), methamphetamine (e.g., Desoxyn), norepinephrine (e.g., Levophed), phenylephrine (e.g., Neo-Synephrine), pseudoephedrine (e.g., Sudafed), PPA (e.g., Dexatrim), or terbutaline (e.g., Brethine).

Pregnancy—The occasional use of antihistamine and decongestant combinations is not likely to cause problems in the fetus or in the newborn baby. However, when these medicines are used at higher doses and/or for a long time, the chance that problems might occur may increase. For the individual ingredients of these combinations, the following apply:

Breast-feeding—Small amounts of antihistamines and decongestants pass into the breast milk. Use is not recommended since the chances are greater for this medicine to cause side effects, such as unusual excitement or irritability, in the nursing baby. Also, since antihistamines tend to decrease the secretions of the body, it is possible that the flow of breast milk may be reduced in some patients. It is not known yet whether loratadine causes these same side effects.

Children—Very young children are usually more sensitive to the effects of this medicine. Increases in blood pressure, nightmares or unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability may be more likely to occur in children. Before giving any of these combination medicines to a child, check the package label very carefully. Some of these medicines are too strong for use in children. If you are not certain whether a specific product can be given to a child, or if you have any questions about the amount to give, check with your health care professional.

Older adults—Confusion, difficult and painful urination, dizziness, drowsiness, dryness of mouth, or convulsions (seizures) may be more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of this medicine. Also, nightmares or unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability may be more likely to occur in elderly patients.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking antihistamines it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Also, if you are taking one of the combinations containing pseudoephedrine and are also taking:

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of antihistamine and decongestant combinations. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:


Proper Use of This Medicine

Take this medicine only as directed. Do not take more of it and do not take it more often than recommended on the label, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

If this medicine irritates your stomach, you may take it with food or a glass of water or milk, to lessen the irritation.

For patients taking the extended-release capsule or tablet form of this medicine:

Dosing—

There is a large variety of antihistamine and decongestant combination products on the market. Some products are for use in adults only, while others may be used in children. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.

The dose of antihistamines and decongestants will be different for different products. The number of capsules or tablets or teaspoonfuls of liquid or granules that you take depends on the strengths of the medicines. Also, the number of doses you take each day and the time between doses depend on whether you are taking a short-acting or long-acting form of antihistamine and decongestant. Follow your doctor's orders if this medicine was prescribed. Or, follow the directions on the box if you are buying this medicine without a prescription.

Missed dose—

If you are taking this medicine regularly and you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:


Precautions While Using This Medicine

Before you have any skin tests for allergies, tell the doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of the test may be affected by the antihistamine in this medicine.

When taking antihistamines (contained in this combination medicine) on a regular basis, make sure your doctor knows if you are taking large amounts of aspirin at the same time (as for arthritis or rheumatism). Effects of too much aspirin, such as ringing in the ears, may be covered up by the antihistamine.

The antihistamine in this medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system, possibly causing drowsiness). Some examples of CNS depressants are other antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates; medicine for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are taking this medicine.

The antihistamine in this medicine may cause some people to become drowsy, dizzy, or less alert than they are normally. Some antihistamines are more likely to cause drowsiness than others (loratadine , for example, rarely produces this effect). Make sure you know how you react before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert.

The decongestant in this medicine may add to the central nervous system (CNS) stimulant and other effects of diet aids. Do not use medicines for diet or appetite control while taking this medicine unless you have checked with your doctor.

The decongestant in this medicine may cause some people to be nervous or restless or to have trouble in sleeping. If you have trouble in sleeping, take the last dose of this medicine for each day a few hours before bedtime. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Antihistamines may cause dryness of the mouth, nose, and throat. Some antihistamines are more likely to cause dryness of the mouth than others (loratadine , for example, rarely produces this effect). For temporary relief, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if your mouth continues to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, check with your dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections.

For patients using promethazine-containing medicine :


Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although serious side effects occur rarely when this medicine is taken as recommended, they may be more likely to occur if:

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:


Also, check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.


Revised: 06/05/2003

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