OTCPediatric caution
Fact box
- Therapeutic class
- Sympathomimetics
- Action class
- alpha-Adrenergic Agonist
- Habit forming
- No
- Availability
- Over-the-counter (OTC)
Brand names
A-PhedrinAlavert DAllegra-DAller-Tec DAllerclearAmbifed CDAmbifed-G CDAphedridBiotussinBromfed DMClarinex-DClaritin-DContac ColdGenac brand of pseudoephedrine/triprolidineGenaphedHycofenixLortuss EXM-End Max DMar-cof BPNexafedQ-FedStahist ADSudafedSudogestVi-SudoWal Zyr DWal-ActWal-Fex DWal-PhedWal-itin DZephrex-DZodryl DACZodryl DECZyrtec-D
Available as
0.8 MG/ML · Oral Solution1 MG/ML · Oral Solution4 MG · Oral Tablet0.4 MG/ML · Oral Solution5 MG · Extended Release Oral Tablet0.04 MG · Extended Release Oral Tablet3 MG/ML · Oral Solution120 MG · Extended Release Oral Tablet30 MG · Oral Tablet6 MG/ML · Oral Solution60 MG · Oral Tablet325 MG · Oral Tablet240 MG · Extended Release Oral Tablet25 MG · Oral Tablet1 MG/ML · Oral Suspension10 MG · Oral Tablet20 MG/ML · Oral Solution325 MG · Oral Capsule500 MG · Oral Tablet10 MG · Oral Capsule250 MG · Oral Capsule200 MG · Oral Capsule400 MG · Oral Tablet2 MG · Oral Tablet
FDA label sections are from openFDA and may not reflect the most recent labeling — confirm against the current DailyMed label.
Uses
Uses helps loosen phlegm (mucus) and thin bronchial secretions to rid the bronchial passageways of bothersome mucus and make coughs more productive temporarily relieves nasal congestion due to: common cold hay fever upper respiratory allergies temporarily restores freer breathing through the nose promotes nasal and/or sinus drainage temporarily relieves sinus congestion and pressure
How to use / dosing
Directions do not crush, chew, or break tablet take with a full glass of water this product can be administered without regard for timing of meals adults and children 12 years and older: 2 tablets every 12 hours; not more than 4 tablets in 24 hours children under 12 years of age: do not use
Safety advice
Conservative summary derived from FDA labeling — defaults to “consult your doctor” unless the label is explicit. Not a substitute for your clinician’s advice.
PregnancyConsult your doctor
…If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use.…
BreastfeedingConsult your doctor
…If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use.…
AlcoholNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
DrivingNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
KidneyNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
LiverNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
Warnings & precautions
Warnings Do not use if you are now taking a prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (certain drugs for depression, psychiatric, or emotional conditions, or Parkinson’s disease), or for 2 weeks after stopping the MAOI drug. If you do not know if your prescription drug contains an MAOI, ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking this product. Ask a doctor before use if you have heart disease high blood pressure thyroid disease diabetes trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland persistent or chronic cough such as occurs with smoking, asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema cough accompanied by too much phlegm (mucus) When using this product do not use more than directed Stop use and ask doctor if you get nervous, dizzy, or sleepless symptoms do not get better within 7 days, come back or occur with a fever, rash, or persistent headache. These could be signs of a serious illness. If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use. Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away (1-800-222-1222).
Pediatric use
Pediatric caution
OTC cough-and-cold products are not recommended for children <4 years (FDA) / <6 years (AAP) due to lack of efficacy and risk of serious adverse effects.
Source: FDA OTC cough/cold advisory; AAP guidance.
⚑ About half of pediatric medication use is off-label and not described in FDA labels — absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children. Confirm with your clinician.
Current FDA labels (DailyMed)
227 marketed products on record (RxNorm)
Reference only — not clinical advice. Verify against current FDA labeling and consult a licensed provider. About half of pediatric drug use is off-label and is not reflected in FDA labels; absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children.