Brand: Allerx-D, Dallergy, Extendryl JR, Extendryl SR, Pheylephrine CM, Rescon ER, Stahist
Generic: Antihistamine, decongestant and anthicholinergic
Allerx-D, an antihistamine, decongestant and anthicholinergic combination, is used to treat nasal congestion and runny nose caused by allergies and/or the common cold.
Antihistamines work by preventing the effects of histamines, which are produced by the body. In some people, histamines can cause itching, sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes. The antihistamine in these combinations is chlorpheniramine.
The decongestants in these combinations are phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine. They cause the blood vessels to narrow, which leads to the clearing of nasal congestions. However, it can also cause an increase in blood pressure.
Anticholinergics, such as atropine, hyoscyamine, methscopolamine and scopolamine can produce a drying effect in the nose and chest.
Do not give any over the counter medications to a baby or child under 4 years of age. Using these medications in very young children may cause serious or life-threatening side effects.
Some of these medications are available without a doctor’s prescription.
As with all medicines, the risks of using Allerx-D must be compared to how much this medication will help you. This is a decision that you and your doctor will make together.
For this medication, there are many things that need to be considered:
Pediatric: Young children are more sensitive to the effects of this medication. Increases in blood pressure, nightmares or unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness or irritability may be more likely to occur in children. When anticholinergics are given to children during hot weather, an increase in body temperature can occur, which may lead to heat stroke. This medication is more likely to cause severe side effects in children with spastic paralysis or brain damage.Do not give any over the counter medications to a baby or child under 4 years of age. Using these medications in very young children may cause serious or life-threatening side effects.
Geriatric: Older patients are more sensitive to the effects of this medication. Confusion or memory loss, difficult or painful urination, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, nightmares or unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, irritability or convulsions may be more likely to occur in this age group. Eye pain may also occur, which may be a sign of glaucoma.
Pregnancy: The following apply for the individual ingredients of these combinations:
Antihistamines - have not been shown to cause any problems in humans.
Atropine - Studies on the effects in pregnancy has not been done in humans. Atropine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animals.
Hyscyamine - Studies on the effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.
Methscopolamine - Studies on the effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.
Phenylephrine - Studies on the effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.
Pseudoephedrine - Studies on the effects in pregnancy has not been done in humans. Atropine has not been shown to cause birth defects in animals. However, in animal studies, it has shown a reduction in average weight, length and rate of bone formation in the animal fetus.
Scopolamine - Studies on the effects in pregnancy has not been done in humans. Atropine has not been shown to cause birth defects in animals. However, in animal studies at doses many times the human dose, it has been seen that Scopolamine causes a small increase in the number of fetal deaths.
Breastfeeding: Small amounts of antihistamines, decongestants and anticholinergics may pass into breast milk. Use is not recommended, as this medication may cause side effects, such as unusual excitement or irritability, in the nursing baby. This medication tends to decrease the secretions of the body, so it is possible that the flow of breast milk may be reduced in some women.
Drug Interactions: Certain medications should not be used together. However, in certain cases, two medications may be used together, even if an interaction might occur. In these cases,your doctor may want to change your dose or take other precautions. When taking this medication, it is important that you inform your doctor if you are taking any of the medications listed below. The following interactions were potential significance and are not all-inclusive.Using this medication with any of the following is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication, or change some of the other medications you take:
Potassium
Other Interactions: Certain medications should not be used while eating, or while eating certain foods in case of negative interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medications may also cause negative interactions. Talk with your doctor about the use of your medication with food, alcohol or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems: Pre-existing medical problems may affect the use of this medication. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Urinary tract blockage or difficult urination - These medicines may make these conditions worse.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus - The decongestant in this medicine may put diabetic patients at greater risk of having heart or blood vessel disease.
Heart or blood vessel disease
High blood pressure - The decongestant and anticholinergic in this medicine may cause the blood pressure to increase and may also speed up the heart rate.
Overactive thyroid - If the overactive thyroid has caused a fast heartbeat, the decongestant and anticholinergic in this medicine may cause the heart rate to speed up further.
3 Proper Usage
Only take Allerx-D as directed by your doctor. Do not take more, less or for a longer or shorter period of time than your doctor tells you.
If this medication irritates your stomach, you can take it with food or a glass of water or milk to lessen the irritation.
For patients taking the extended-release capsule or extended-release tablet form of this medication:
Swallow the capsule or tablet whole.
Do not crush, break or chew before swallowing
If the capsule is too large to swallow, you can mix the contents of the capsule with applesauce, jelly, honey or syrup and swallow without chewing.
Dosing
Different patients will be given a different dose of this medication based on the strength of the medication. The number of doses you take each day, the time between doses and the length of time you take this medication depends on the reason you are taking this medication. The following information only includes the average dose of this medication. If your dose is different, do not change it without first speaking to your doctor.
Syrup, Tablets or Chewable tablets:
Adults and children 12 years of age and older - 1-2 tablets or chewable tablets or 1-2 teaspoons of syrup every 4-6 hours.
Children 6-12 years of age - 1 chewable tablet or 1 teaspoonful of syrup every 4 hours.
Children 4-6 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Children under 4 years of age - Use is not recommended.
Extended-release Capsules or Tablets:
Adults and children 12 years of age and older - 1 capsule or tablet every 12 hours.
Children 4-12 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Children under 4 years of age - Use is not recommended
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medication, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your normal dosing schedule. Do not double dose.
Storage
Store this medication in a closed container at room temperature. Keep it away from heat, moisture and direct light. Do not freeze.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep expired medication or medication you no longer need. Ask your doctor how to dispose of any medication you do not use.
4 Precautions To Take
If you take Allerx-D, your doctor should perform routine checkups and advise you in taking precautions. Inform your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or become worse or if you have a high fever.
Before you have any skin tests for allergies, inform the doctor in charge that you are taking this medication. The results of the test may be affected by the antihistamine in this medication.
These medications may cause you to sweat less than normal, which will cause your body temperature to increase. Take care to not become overheated during exercise or hot weather while taking this medication, as overheating may result in heat stroke. Hot baths or saunas can make you dizzy or faint while taking this medication.
The anticholinergic in this medication may cause some people to have blurred vision. Be sure that your vision is clear before you drive or do anything else that could be dangerous if you cannot see well.
These medications may also cause your eyes to be more sensitive to light than normal. Wearing sunglasses may help or lessen the discomfort from bright light.
This medication may cause some people to become dizzy or drowsy. Make sure you know how you react to this medication before driving, using machinery or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
The decongestant in this medication may cause some people to be nervous or restless, or to have trouble sleeping (insomnia). If you have difficulty sleeping, take the last dose of this medication a few hours before bedtime. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Inform the doctor in charge that you are taking this medication before any surgery or emergency treatment.
This medication may cause dry mouth, nose and throat. For temporary relief, use sugarless candy or gun, melt bits of ice in your mouth or use a saliva substitute.
If your mouth continues to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, inform your dentist. Continuous dry mouth may increase the chance of dental disease including tooth decay, gum disease and fungal infections.
If you think your or someone you know may have taken an overdose of this medication, get emergency help immediately. Taking an overdose of this medication, or taking this medication with alcohol or other CNS depressants may lead to unconsciousness and possibly death.
may produce unwanted affects along with the intended effects. Although not all of these side-effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Get immediate emergency help if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
For pseudoephedrine only:
Unusual nervousness, restlessness or excitement
Check with your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side-effects:
Rare
Irregular or slow heartbeat (arrhythmias, bradycardia)
Some side effects that may occur do not normally need medical attention. These may leave as your body becomes accustomed to treatment.
Ask your doctor about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Talk to your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome, or if you have questions:
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