dexchlorpheniramine (Polaramine)

Introduction

Tradename: Polaramine. (dexchlorpheniramine maleate)

Indications

• treatment of allergic reactions
  • allergic conjunctivitis, atopy
• treatment of cold symptoms
  • nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, sneezing
• urticaria, pruritus

Contraindications

• narrow-angle glaucoma
• bladder neck obstruction
• symptomatic prostatic hypertrophy
• asthmatic attack
• stenosing peptic ulcer

pregnancy category = b

safety in lactation = -

Dosage

• adults & children > 12 years:
  • 4-6 mg QHS (timed-release)
  • 4-6 mg every 8-10 hours (timed release)
• children 6-11 years: 4 mg QHS (timed release)

Tabs: (sustained-release): 4 & 6 mg.

Pharmacokinetics

(see chlorpheniramine)

elimination via liver

elimination via kidney

1/2life = 12-40 hours

Adverse effects

• common (> 10%)
• slight to moderate drowsiness
• thickening of bronchial secretions
• less common (1-10%)
  • headache, fatigue, appetite increase, weight increase, nervousness, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dry mouth, pharyngitis, arthralgia
• uncommon (< 1%)
  • angioedema, bronchospasm, depression, edema, epistaxis, hepatitis, myalgia, palpitations, paresthesias, photosensitivity, rash

• drug adverse effects of H1 receptor antagonists
• drug adverse effects of psychotropic agents
• drug adverse effects of sedatives

Drug interactions

(see chlorpheniramine)

Mechanism of action

histamine H1 receptor antagonist

More general terms

• chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton)

Component of

• chlophedianol/dexchlorpheniramine
• dexchlorpheniramine/pseudoephedrine/pyrilamine
• dexchlorpheniramine/dextromethorphan/guaifenesin/phenylephrine
• codeine/dexchlorpheniramine/phenylephrine/phosphate
• carbetapentane/dexchlorpheniramine/phenylephrine
• carbetapentane/citrate/dexchlorpheniramine/phenylephrine
• acetaminophen/dexchlorpheniramine/pseudoephedrine
• dexchlorpheniramine/methscopolamine/pseudoephedrine
• dexchlorpheniramine/methscopolamine/phenylephrine
• dexchlorpheniramine/pseudoephedrine
• dexchlorpheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine
• dexchlorpheniramine/guaifenesin/pseudoephedrine
• dexchlorpheniramine/dextromethorphan/phenylephrine
• dexchlorpheniramine/dextromethorphan/phenylephrine/pyrilamine
• dexchlorpheniramine/hydrocodone/phenylephrine
• codeine/dexchlorpheniramine/phenylephrine
• chlophedianol/dexchlorpheniramine/pseudoephedrine
• dexchlorpheniramine/phenylephrine

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=33036
• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=5281070
• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=114921