pseudoephedrine/triprolidine (Actifed, Allercon)

Indications

• temporary relief of nasal congestion
• allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis
  • seasonal allergic rhinitis
• cold symptoms
  • rhinitis, rhinorrhea, sneezing, cough

Contraindications

use with caution in patients with:

• renal failure
• hypertension
• diabetes
• ischemic heart disease
• increased intraocular pressure
• prostatic hypertrophy
• urinary retention
• thyroid disease

Dosage

1 tab or 10 mL every 4-6 hours

Pharmacokinetics

• onset of action is within 30 minutes when taken on an empty stomach
• duration of action is 3 hours with immediate-release preparations & 8-12 hours with sustained-release preparations

Adverse effects

• nervousness
• insomnia
• irritability
• tachycardia

Drug interactions

• MAO inhibitors: severe headache, hypertension & hypertensive crisis
• phenothiazines may antagonize effects of decongestants
• tricyclic antidepressants may increase pressor effects
• agents which acidify the urine increase urinary secretion
• agents which alkalinize the urine decrease elimination & may result in toxic accumulation
• decreased effect of terazosin & other alpha adrenergic agonists

Mechanism of action

• pseudoephedrine is an indirect-acting alpha & beta adrenergic receptor agonist
• causes smooth muscle vasoconstriction, pressor effect & nasal decongestion

More general terms

• Ear nose throat combination

Additional terms

• codeine/pseudoephedrine/triprolidine (Actifed with codeine)

Components

• pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Afrin, Drixoral, SudoGest)
• triprolidine (Actidil)

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=114689
• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=22517