$Unique_ID{BRK03319} $Pretitle{} $Title{pseudoephedrine, triprolidine, and codeine combination} $Subject{Actagen-C Cough Syrup Goldline Actifed Codeine Burroughs Wellcome Allerfrin Rugby Triacin-C Trifed-C Geneva Generics Adrenergic decongestant antihistamine cough suppressant pseudoephedrine triprolidine codeine coughs colds minor upper respiratory infections allergy constricting narrowing blood vessels nasal passages swelling congestion histamine chemical allergic reaction allergy narcotic cough reflex center brain} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. pseudoephedrine, triprolidine, and codeine combination ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) Actagen-C Cough Syrup (Goldline) Actifed with Codeine (Burroughs Wellcome) Allerfrin with Codeine (Rugby) Triacin-C (various manufacturers) Trifed-C (Geneva Generics) TYPE OF DRUG Adrenergic (decongestant), antihistamine, and cough suppressant INGREDIENTS pseudoephedrine, triprolidine, and codeine DOSAGE FORM Oral syrup (30 mg pseudoephedrine, 1.25 mg triprolidine, and 10 mg codeine per 5-ml spoonful, with 4.3% alcohol) STORAGE This medication should be stored at room temperature (never frozen) in a tightly closed container. USES It is used to provide symptomatic relief of coughs due to colds, minor upper respiratory infections, and allergy. Pseudoephedrine belongs to a group of drugs known as adrenergic agents (decongestants). They act by constricting (narrowing) blood vessels in the nasal passages, thereby reducing swelling and congestion. Triprolidine belongs to a group of drugs known as antihistamines, which block the action of histamine, a chemical released by the body during an allergic reaction. It is used to relieve or prevent symptoms of allergy. Codeine is a narcotic cough suppressant, which acts at the cough reflex center in the brain. TREATMENT To avoid stomach upset, you can take this medication with food or with a full glass of milk or water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). The oral syrup should be measured carefully with a specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon. An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate enough. If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Blurred vision; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; dry mouth, throat, or nose; irritability; loss of appetite; nausea; restlessness; stomach upset; unusual increase in sweating; or vomiting. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication. This medication can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight. It is, therefore, important to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). Chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy to reduce mouth dryness. If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while. Major. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about chest pain, confusion, difficult or painful urination, feeling faint, headaches, palpitations, rash, ringing or buzzing in the ears, severe abdominal pain, sore throat, or unusual bleeding or bruising. INTERACTIONS This medicine interacts with several other types of drugs: 1. Concurrent use of it with other central nervous system depressants (drugs that slow the activity of the brain and spinal cord), such as alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, and phenothiazine tranquilizers, or with tricyclic antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness. 2. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (isocarboxazid, pargyline, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine) and tricyclic antidepressants can increase the side effects of this medication. At least 14 days should separate the use of this drug and the use of an MAO inhibitor. 3. The action of oral anticoagulants may be decreased by the antihistamine component of this drug. 4. Procarbazine may interact with the antihistamine component of this drug. 5. The side effects of the antihistamine component of this medication may be increased by quinidine, procainamide, haloperidol, or phenothiazine tranquilizers. 6. The blood-pressure-lowering effects of guanethidine, methyldopa, and reserpine may be decreased by this medication. 7. The side effects of the decongestant component of this medication may be increased by digoxin or over-the-counter (nonprescription) allergy, asthma, cough, cold, diet, or sinus preparations. BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed above. WARNINGS * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to triprolidine or other antihistamines (such as azatadine, brompheniramine, carbinoxamine, clemastine, cyproheptadine, chlorpheniramine, dexbrompheniramine, dimenhydrinate, dimethindene, diphenhydramine, diphenylpyraline, doxylamine, hydroxyzine, promethazine, pyrilamine, trimeprazine, and tripelennamine), to pseudoephedrine or other adrenergic agents (such as albuterol, amphetamines, ephedrine, epinephrine, isoproterenol, metaproterenol, norepinephrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, and terbutaline), or to codeine or any other narcotic cough suppressant or pain medication. * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had asthma, brain disease, blockage of the urinary or digestive tract, diabetes mellitus, colitis, gallbladder disease, glaucoma, heart or blood vessel disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, peptic ulcers, enlarged prostate gland, or thyroid disease. * This medicine can cause drowsiness. Exercise caution while performing tasks that require alertness, such as driving a car or operating potentially dangerous machinery. * While you are taking this medication, drink at least eight glasses of water a day to help loosen bronchial secretions. * Because this product contains codeine, it has the potential for abuse and must be used with caution. Usually, it should not be taken on a regular schedule for longer than ten days at a time. Tolerance develops quickly; do not increase the dosage or stop taking the drug abruptly, unless you first consult your doctor. If you have been taking large amounts of this medication, or if you have been taking it for long periods of time, you may experience a withdrawal reaction (muscle aches, diarrhea, gooseflesh, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, shivering, trembling, stomach cramps, sleep disorders, irritability, weakness, excessive yawning, or sweating) when you stop taking it. Your doctor may, therefore, want to reduce the dosage gradually. * Before surgery or other medical or dental treatment, it is very important to tell your doctor or dentist you are taking this drug. * Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. The effects of this drug during the early stages of pregnancy have not been thoroughly studied in humans. However, the regular use of codeine during the later stages of pregnancy may lead to addiction of the fetus, resulting in withdrawal symptoms (irritability, excessive crying, tremors, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, sneezing, or excessive yawning) in the newborn. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. Small amounts of this drug pass into breast milk and may cause unusual excitement or irritability in nursing infants. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.