Many patients medicate themselves for colds and allergies. They mix medications that the physicians prescribe with previously prescribed medications and over the counter medications. Patients should note that all of these drugs contain essentially the same medications. There are only a limited number of categories of medications. Everything is just a combination of the basic ingredients, plus or minus a few.
- Decongestants
- Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
- Phenylpropanolamine (Entex LA)
- Phenylephrine (Neosynephrine)
- Antihistamines
- Chlorpheniramine (Chlortrimeton)
- Brompheniramine
- Promethazine (Phenergen)
- Benadryl
- Loratidine (Claritin)
- Astemizole (Hismanal)
- Triprolidine (Actifed main ingredient)
- Cough suppressants
- Codeine (a narcotic)
- Hydrocodone
- Dextrmethorphan
- Mucolytics (loosens mucus)
- Acetaminophen (for fever, aches and pains)
- Caffeine (stimulant)
- Alcohol (great for mixing things)
When these drugs are manufactured as a combination, they are mixed in precise amounts. The physician prescribes the individual or combination drugs for specific reasons, depending on what needs to be treated. Patients should rarely, if ever, take these medications together on their own. It does not mean that the drugs are bad. But all medicine has side effects, and if a patient takes too much of one particular type of medicine, it could be dangerous. Side effects could include:
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Rapid heartbeat
- Excessive drowsiness
- Confusion
- Urinary retention
- Worsening of glaucoma
- Stomach upset
- Dizziness
The medications that the physician prescribes usually are stronger (larger dose) or newer or have certain properties that at present cause the FDA to restrict their use. The newer non-sedating antihistamines, such as Claritin, Hismanal, and Seldane are still prescription items. Sedation is a very important side effect of most of the earlier generation of antihistamines. One should not drive or use heavy machinery while using the older, over the counter antihistamines.
A sampling of the drugs is listed below. You may recognize many of them. There are probably others not listed that you know. If you are not sure about your medication, bring it to the office or your pharmacist and ask.
- Claritin and Claritin D
- Hismanal
- Allegra
- Deconsal
- Entex, Entex LA, and Entex PSE
- Duravent and Duravent DA
- Duratuss and Duratuss HD
- Naldecon
- Syn RX
- Semprex
- Actifed
- Sudafed
- Trinalin
- Rondec
- Deconamine
- Tylenol Cold and Tylenol Allergy
- Efidac - 24
- Sinutab
- Contac
- Benadryl Cold and Benadryl Allergy
- Zephrex
- Polyhistine
- Phenergen, Phenergen with Codeine
- Guaifed
- Humibid and Humibid DM
- Others you may wish to ask about, either call 732-390-0044 or email
