Decongestant and analgesic combinations are taken by mouth to relieve sinus and nasal congestion - stuffy nose and headache of colds, allergy and hay fever.
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, ibuprofen and salicylates - aspirin, salicylamide, are using in these combination medication to help relieve headache and sinus pain.
Acetaminophen and salicylates may cause kidney damage or cancer of the kidney or urinary bladder if large amounts of both medication are taken together for a long time. However, taking the recommended amounts of combination medication that contain both acetaminophen and a salicylate for short periods of time has not been shown to cause these unwanted effects.
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. They 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 decongestants and analogs are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.
This information applies to the following medication: 1. Phenylephrine and Acetaminophen - fen-ill-EF-rin and a-seat-a-MIN-oh-fen* 2. Pseudoephedrine and Acetaminophen - soo-doe-e-FED-rin and a-seat-a-MIN-oh-fen 3. Pseudoephedrine and Ibuprofen - soo-doe-e-FED-rin and eye-byoo-PRO-fen * Not commercially available in the USA