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Nasal Allergy Medications (cont.)

What about combination antihistamine/decongestant preparations?

Pharmacy shelves are packed with these preparations. They are useful for runny, itchy, and stuffy noses and are available OTC or by prescription. The liquid preparations are convenient for children as well as the elderly who may need a lesser dosage than is available in tablet forms. 12- and 24-hour preparations are available to make taking the medications more practical. Interestingly, the stimulant effect of the decongestant may counteract the drowsiness effect of the antihistamine and make the combination well tolerated.

Allergy Fact

Six of the top ten highest selling nonprescription medications (in 1990) were Dimetapp, Benadryl, Actifed, Drixoral, Comtrex, and Chlortrimeton. OTC antihistamine sales exceed $500 million per year and up to $2 billion per year when antihistamine-decongestant combinations are included.

Table IV: Common Antihistamine/Decongestant Preparations

Generation Brand Name

R = Rapid
Release

S = Sustained Release

Antihistamine Decongestant
First Bromfed Tabs R Brompheniramine 4mg Pseudoephedrine 60mg
Deconamine Tabs R Chlorpheniramine 4mg Pseudoephedrine 60mg
Rondec Tabs R Carbinoxamine 4mg Pseudoephedrine 60mg
Ornade S Chlorpheniramine 12mg Pseudoephedrine 120mg
Tavist D S Clemastine 1.34mg Pseudoephedrine 120mg
Trinalin Repetabs S Azatadine 1mg Pseudoephedrine 120mg

Second

Allegra D S Fexofenadine 60mg Pseudoephedrine 120mg
Claritin D 12-hour S Loratadine 5mg Pseudoephedrine 120mg
Claritin D 24-hour S Loratadine 10mg Pseudoephedrine 240mg
Semprex D S Acrivastine 8mg Pseudoephedrine 60mg

Two broad categories of decongestants are available. Rapid release products need to be taken 3 to 4 times a day and provide a lower dose of both the antihistamine and decongestant. These medicines help people who are more troubled by side effects but they are less practical than the sustained release preparations, which need to be taken only once or twice per day.

Allergy Alert

When you switch OTC antihistamine/decongestant combinations, please read the label. Make sure the ingredients and the dosages are different from the ones you used to take. Otherwise, you may be buying the same medication with a different name, color, shape, and price.

Table V: Nasal Symptoms and Medicine

Nasal Symptom Medicine
A Sneezing Antihistamine
Runny Nose
Itchy Nose/Throat
B Stuffy Nose Decongestant
C Combination of Symptoms
A + B
Antihistamine + Decongestant


Next: Nasal Steroid Sprays »

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