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 using 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 diseaseds who have high blood pressure.
Analgesics, such as acetaminophen and salicylates - aspirin, sodium salicylate, are using in these combination medication to help relieve fever, headache, aches and pain.
Some of these medication are available without a prescription. However, your family doctor may have special instructions on the proper dose of these medication for your medical condition. These medication are available in the following dosage forms:
Some commonly using brand names are:
In the USA
In Canada
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 antihistamines, decongestants, and analgesics are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.
This information applies to the following medication: 1. Brompheniramine, Pseudoephedrine and Acetaminophen - brome-fen-IR-a-meen soo-doe-e-FED-rin and a-set-a-MIN-oh-fen† 2. Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine and Acetaminophen - klor-fen-EER-a-meenfen-il-EF-rin and a-set-a-MIN-oh-fen 3. Chlorpheniramine,Pseudoephedrine and Acetaminophen - klor-fen-EER-a-meen soo-doe-e-FED-rin and a-set-a-MIN-oh-fen 4. Chlorpheniramine, Pyrilamine, Phenylephrine andAcetaminophen - klor-fen-EER-a-meen peer-ILL-a-meen fen-il-EF-rin and a-set-a-MIN-oh-fen† 5. Dexbrompheniramine , Pseudoephedrine and Acetaminophen - dex-brome-fen-EER-a-meen soo-doe-e-FED-rin and a-set-a-MIN-oh-fen† 6. Diphenhydramine, Pseudoephedrine and Acetaminophen - dye-fen-HYE-dra-meensoo-doe-e-FED-rin and a-set-a-MIN-oh-fen† 7. Pheniramine, Phenylephrine and Acetaminophen - fen-EER-a-meen fen-il-EF-rin and a-set-a-MIN-oh-fen* 8. Pheniramine, Phenylephrine, Sodium Salicylate and Caffeine - fen-EER-a-meen fen-il-EF-rin SOE-dee-um sa-LI-si-lateand kaf-EEN† 9. Pyrilamine, Phenylephrine, Aspirin and Caffeine - peer-ILL-a-meenfen-il-EF-rin AS-pir-in and kaf-EEN* 10. Triprolidine,Pseudoephedrine and Acetaminophen - trye-PROE-li-deen soo-doe-e-FED-rin and a-set-a-MIN-oh-fen * Not commercially available in the USA † Not commercially available in Canada