Classes
DEA Class; OTC
Common Brand Names; Benadryl Allergy & Cold, Sudafed PE Severe Cold, Delsym Cough + Cold Night Time, Children’s Delsym Cough + Cold Night Time, Benadryl Severe Allergy & Sinus Headache, Children’s Tylenol Plus Cold & Allergy, Benadryl Allergy & Sinus Headache, Robitussin Peak Cold Nighttime Multi-Symptom Cold, Theraflu Nighttime Severe Cold & Cough, Theraflu Warming Relief Flu & Sore Throat, Theraflu Warming Relief Nighttime Severe Cold & Cough, Tylenol Allergy Multi-Symptom Nighttime
- Antihistamine/Decongestant/Analgesic Combos
Description
Acetaminophen: Blocks pain impulse generation peripherally & may inhibit the prostaglandin generation in CNS; reduces fever by inhibiting hypothalamic heat-regulating center
Phenylephrine: Vasoconstrictor & decongestant that relieves symptoms resulting from irritation of upper respiratory tract tissue; shrinks swollen mucous membranes, reduces nasal congestion & tissue hyperemia
Diphenhydramine: Competitively blocks histamine from binding to H1 receptors; significant antimuscarinic activity & penetrates CNS, which causes pronounced tendency to induce sedation
Indications
For the Rhinorrhea, Nasal Congestion, Headache
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Use within 14 days of MAO inhibitor therapy
To sedate child
Children <12 years
Concomitant administration with other products containing acetaminophen or diphenhydramine
Adverse Effects
Hypertension
Hypotension
Reflex tachycardia
Severe peripheral and visceral vasoconstriction
Tachycardia
Dizziness
Excitability
Headache
Restlessness
Sedation
Sleepiness
Tremor
Dermatologic rash
Increased appetite
Xerostomia
Anemia blood dyscrasias (neutropenia, pancytopenia, leukopenia)
Bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase may increase
Urinary retention
Warnings
Ask healthcare professional if history of asthma or COPD, cough with mucus, or couch caused by smoking, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis, high blood pressure, heart disease, enlarged prostate, urination problems, thyroid disorder, diabetes, glaucoma, or diagnosed with condition requiring warfarin therapy
Medication is to be used exactly as directed; an overdose of acetaminophen can damage the liver or cause death; taking too much diphenhydramine can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or death
Not for use to make a child sleepy; some brands are not approved for use in anyone younger than 12 years old
Dangerous drug interaction can occur with MAO inhibitors, including isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine
Cardiovascular disease (bradycardia, partial heart block or severe arteriosclerosis when administering phenylephrine)
Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity possible in chronic alcoholics following various dose levels; before taking this medication, ask healthcare professional if experienced previous liver disease, or if taking more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day
Pregnancy and Lactation
Pregnancy
Ask a healthcare professional
Lactation
Ask a healthcare professional
Maximum Dosage
Benadryl Allergy & Cold: 2 caplet PO q4hr; not to exceed 12 capsules/day
Benadryl Allergy & Sinus Headache: 2 caplet PO q4hr; not to exceed 12 capsules/day
Benadryl Severe Allergy & Sinus Headache: 2 caplet PO q4hr; not to exceed 12 capsules/day
Robitussin Peak Cold Nighttime Multi-Symptom Cold: 20 mL PO q4hr; not to exceed 6 doses/24 hr
Sudafed PE Nighttime Cold: 2 caplet PO q4hr; not to exceed 12 caplet/day
Sudafed PE Severe Cold: 2 caplet PO q4hr; not to exceed 12 caplet/day
Theraflu Nighttime Severe Cold & Cough; 1 packet dissolved in 8 oz of water PO q4hr; not to exceed 6 packet/day
Theraflu Warming Relief Nighttime Severe Cold & Cough: 2 tablespoonfuls (30 mL) PO q4hr; not to exceed 6 doses/day
Tylenol Allergy Multi-Symptom Nighttime: 2 caplet PO q4hr; not to exceed 12 caplet/day
Pediatric
Benadryl Allergy & Cold
<6 years old: Ask a pediatrician
6-12 years: 1 caplet PO q4hr; not to exceed 5 capsules/day
>12 years: 2 caplet PO q4hr; not to exceed 12 capsules/day
Benadryl Allergy & Sinus Headache
< 6 years: Ask a pediatrician
6-12 years: 1 capsule PO q4hr; maximum 5 capsules/day
>12 years: 2 capsules PO q4hr; not to exceed 12 capsules/day
Benadryl Severe Allergy & Sinus Headache
< 6 years old: Ask a pediatrician
6-12 years old: 1 capsule PO q4hr; maximum 5 capsules/day
>12 years old: 2 capsules PO q4hr; not to exceed 12 capsules/day
Children’s Tylenol Plus Cold & Allergy
<4 years old: Do not use
4-6 years old: Ask a pediatrician
6-12 years old: 10 mL PO q4hr; not to exceed 5 doses/day
Robitussin Peak Cold Nighttime Multi-Symptom Cold
<12 years: Do not use
12 years or older: 20 mL PO q4hr; not to exceed 6 doses/24 hr
Sudafed PE Nighttime Cold
<12 years old: Ask a pediatrician
>12 years old: 2 caplets PO q4hr; not to exceed 12 caplets/day
Sudafed PE Severe Cold
<6 years: Ask a pediatrician
6-12 years: 1 caplets PO q4hr; not to exceed 5 caplets/day
>12 years: 2 caplets PO q4hr; not to exceed 12 caplets/day
Theraflu Nighttime Severe Cold & Cough
<12 years: Ask a pediatrician
>12 years: 1 packet dissolved in 8 oz of water PO q4hr; not to exceed 6 packet/day
Theraflu Warming Relief Flu & Sore Throat
<12 years: Ask a pediatrician
>12 years: 2 tablespoonfuls (30 mL) PO q4hr; not to exceed 6 doses/day
Theraflu Warming Relief Nighttime Severe Cold & Cough
<12 years: Ask a pediatrician
>12 years: 2 tablespoonfuls (30 mL) PO q4hr; not to exceed 6 doses/day
Tylenol Allergy Multi-Symptom Nighttime
<12 years: Do not use
>12 years: 2 caplets PO q4hr; not to exceed 12 caplets/day