chlorpheniramine/pseudoephedrine (Sudafed Sinus and Allergy, Allerest Maximum Strength and Hay Fever, A.R.M.)

Dosing and uses of Sudafed Sinus and Allergy, Allerest Maximum Strength and Hay Fever (chlorpheniramine/pseudoephedrine)

• Adult
• Pediatric

 

Adult dosage forms and strengths

chlorpheniramine/pseudoephedrine

liquid

• (2mg/30mg)/5mL

tablet

• 4mg/60mg

 

Relief of Cold & Flu Symptoms

Chlorpheniramine maleate 4 mg and pseudoephedrine HCl 60 mg PO q4-6hr

 

Pediatric dosage forms and strengths

chlorpheniramine/pseudoephedrine

liquid

• (2mg/30mg)/5mL

tablet

• 4mg/60mg

 

Relief of Cold & Flu Symptoms

<6 Years Old

• Ask a pediatrician

6-12 Years Old

• Chlorpheniramine maleate 2 mg and pseudoephedrine HCl 30 mg PO q4-6hr

>12 Years Old

• Chlorpheniramine maleate 4 mg and pseudoephedrine HCl 60 mg PO q4-6hr

 

Other Indications & Uses

Relief of mild to moderate pain and congestion; Flu symptoms; Common cold

 

Sudafed Sinus and Allergy, Allerest Maximum Strength and Hay Fever (chlorpheniramine/pseudoephedrine) adverse (side) effects

Frequency not defined

Arrhythmia

Hypotension

Palpitations

Tachycardia

Confusion

Convulsion

Depression

Distress

Dizziness

Drowsiness

Excitability

Euphoria

Fatigue

Headache

Insomnia

Irritability

Sedation

Tremors

Weakness

Anorexia

Agranulocytosis

Hemolytic anemia

Thrombocytopenia

Thickening of bronchial secretions

Wheezing

 

Warnings

Contraindications

Contraindicated in documented hypersensitivity to the drugs or within 14 days of MAO inhibitor therapy; asthma attacks, narrow-angle glaucoma, symptomatic prostate hypertrophy, bladder-neck obstruction, and stenosing peptic ulcer

 

Cautions

Caution in cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, prostatic hypertrophy and increased intraocular pressure when taking pseudoephedrine

Chlorpheniramine may cause significant confusional symptoms; not for administration to premature or full-term neonates

 

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy category: C

Lactation: enters breastmilk/contraindicated

 

Pregnancy categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

 

Pharmacology of Sudafed Sinus and Allergy, Allerest Maximum Strength and Hay Fever (chlorpheniramine/pseudoephedrine)

Mechanism of action

Chlorpheniramine blocks muscle responses in histamine and acts as an antagonism of the constrictor effects of histamine on respiratory smooth muscle.

Pseudoephedrine stimulates the alpha-adrenergic receptors causing bronchodilation and vasoconstriction.