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You are here : Healthopedia.com > Drugs & Medications > Detailed Drug Information (USP DI) > Antihistamines, Decongestants, and Anticholinergics

Antihistamines, Decongestants, and Anticholinergics (Systemic)

Description and Brand Names | Before Using | Proper Use | Precautions | Side Effects


Category
  • Antihistaminic (H 1 -receptor)-decongestant-anticholinergic—Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine, and Methscopolamine
Description

Antihistamine, decongestant, and anticholinergic combinations are used to treat the nasal congestion (stuffy nose) and runny nose caused by allergies and/or the common cold.

Antihistamines work by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine, which is produced by the body. Histamine can cause itching, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. The antihistamine contained in these combinations is chlorpheniramine.

The decongestants in these combinations, 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 patients who have high blood pressure.

Anticholinergics, such as atropine, hyoscyamine, methscopolamine, and scopolamine may help produce a drying effect in the nose and chest.

These combinations are available only with your doctor's prescription in the following dosage forms:

  • Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine, and Methscopolamine
    • Extended-release capsules (U.S.)
    • Syrup (U.S.)
    • Tablets (U.S.)
    • Chewable tablets (U.S.)
    • Extended-release tablets (U.S.)
  • Chlorpheniramine, Pseudoephedrine, and Methscopolamine
    • Extended-release tablets (U.S.)

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

  • AH-chew 1
  • D.A. Chewable 1
  • Dallergy 1
  • Dura-Vent/DA 1
  • Extendryl 1
  • Extendryl JR 1
  • Extendryl SR 1
  • Mescolor 2
  • OMNIhist L.A. 1
  • Stahist 3

Note:

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 antihistamine, decongestant, and anticholinergic combinations are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.

This information applies to the following medicines:
1. Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine, and Methscopolamine (klor-fen-EER-a-meen fen-ill-EF-rin and meth-skoe-POL-a-meen)†
2. Chlorpheniramine, Pseudoephedrine, and Methscopolamine (klor-fen-EER-a-meensoo-doe-e-FED-rin and meth-skoe-POL-a-meen)†
3. Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine, Pseudoephedrine, Atropine, Hyoscyamine,and Scopolamine (soo-doe-e-FED-rin fen-ill-EF-rin klor-fen-EER-a-meen hye-oh-SYE-a-meen scoe-POL-a-meenand A-troe-peen)†
† Not commercially available in Canada

† Not commercially available in Canada.


   

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Antihistamines, Decongestants, and Anticholinergics: Before Using

Date Revised: 08/28/2002









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Page Last Updated: 6th April, 2009