Antihistamine, decongestant, and analgesic combination (Oral)

Class Name: antihistamine, decongestant, and analgesic combination (Oral route)

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Sinus
• Genapap Sinus
• Infants' Tylenol Plus Cold
• Mapap Sinus PE
• Sinutab Sinus
• Sudafed PE Sinus Headache

In Canada

• Allergy Sinus Medication Extra Strength
• Benadryl Allergy, Sinus And Headache
• Benadryl Total
• Children's Tylenol Allergy-D
• Children's Tylenol Cold Bubble Gum Flavor
• Children's Tylenol Cold Cherry Flavor
• Children's Tylenol Cold Fruit Flavor
• Colds And Flu With Vitamin C Extra Strength
• Colds And Flu With Vitamin C Regular Strength
• Counteract Children's Cold Multi-Symptom Plus Cough
• Dimetapp Extra Strength Nighttime Cold
• Dimetapp Nighttime Cold

Available Dosage Forms:

• Packet
• Tablet
• Solution
• Tablet, Effervescent
• Powder for Solution
• Capsule, Liquid Filled
• Powder for Suspension

Uses for this Medicine

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.

Antihistamine, decongestant, and analgesic combinations are taken by mouth to relieve the sneezing, runny nose, sinus and nasal congestion (stuffy nose), fever, headache, and aches and pain of colds, influenza, and hay fever. These combinations do not contain any ingredient to relieve coughs.

Antihistamines are used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of hay fever and other types of allergy. They may also help relieve some symptoms of the common cold, such as sneezing and runny nose. They work by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine, which is produced by the body. Antihistamines contained in these combinations are:

brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, dexbrompheniramine, diphenhydramine, pheniramine, phenyltoloxamine, pyrilamine, and triprolidine.

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.

Analgesics, such as acetaminophen and salicylates (e.g., aspirin, sodium salicylate), are used in these combination medicines to help relieve fever, headache, aches, and pain.

Some of these medicines are available without a prescription. However, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper dose of these medicines for your medical condition.

Do not give any over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicine to a baby or child under 4 years of age. Using these medicines in very young children might cause serious or possibly life-threatening side effects .

Before using this Medicine

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefu...