Decongestant And Analgesic Combinations (Oral Route) Description and Brand Names

Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

Actamin Maximum Strength
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Sinus
Altenol
Aminofen
Anacin Aspirin Free
Apra
Arthritis Pain Relief
Cetafen
Childrens Mapap
Childrens Nortemp
Comtrex Sore Throat Relief
Dolono
Febrol
Genapap
Genapap Sinus
Genebs
Infantaire
Infants Tylenol Plus Cold
Mapap
Mapap Arthritis Pain
Mapap Sinus PE
Pain-Eze Rheu-Thritis
Pyrecot
Pyregesic
Q-Pap
Redutemp
Silapap
Sinutab Sinus
Sudafed PE Sinus Headache
T-Painol
Tycolene
Tylenol

Canadian Brand Name

Actifed Sinus Regular
Childrens Tylenol Decongestant
Contac Sinus Pain Formula
Dimetapp Daytime Cold
Dimetapp Extra Strength Daytime Cold
Dristan ND
Dristan ND Extra Strength
Extra Strength Sinus Medication Non-Drowsy
Extra Strength Tylenol Sinus Convenience Pack Daytime Relief
Extra Strength Tylenol Sinus Daytime Relief
Extra Strength Tylenol Sinus with Coolburst - Daytime
Novahistex Sinus

Descriptions

Decongestant and analgesic combinations are taken by mouth to relieve sinus and nasal congestion (stuffy nose) and headache of colds, allergy, and hay fever.

Decongestants, such as phenylephrine, and pseudoephedrine produce a narrowing of blood vessels. This leads to clearing of nasal congestion, but it may also cause an increase in blood pressure in patients who have high blood pressure.

Analgesics, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and salicylates (e.g., aspirin, salicylamide), are used in these combination medicines to help relieve headache and sinus pain.

Acetaminophen and salicylates may cause kidney damage or cancer of the kidney or urinary bladder if large amounts of both medicines are taken together for a long time. However, taking the recommended amounts of combination medicines that contain both acetaminophen and a salicylate for short periods of time has not been shown to cause these unwanted effects.

These medicines are available without a prescription. However, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper dose of these medicines for your medical condition.

Do not give any over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicine to a baby or child under 4 years of age. Using these medicines in very young children might cause serious or possibly life-threatening side effects .

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

Capsule
Tablet
Tablet, Extended Release
Capsule, Liquid Filled
Tablet, Extended Release, 12 HR
Tablet, Effervescent

Before Using

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Very young children are usually more sensitive to the effects of this medicine. Before giving any of these combination medicines to a child, check the package label very carefully. Some of these medicines are too strong for use in children. If you are not certain whether a specific product can be given to a child, or if you have any questions about the amount to give, check with your health care professional, especially if it contains:

Decongestants (e.g., phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine)—Increases in blood pressure may be more likely to occur in children taking decongestants.
Salicylates (e.g., aspirin)—Do not give aspirin or other salicylates to a child or teenager with a fever or other symptoms of a virus infection, especially flu or chickenpox, without first discussing its use with your child's doctor. This is very important because salicylates may cause a serious illness called Reye's syndrome in these children. Also, children may be more sensitive to the aspirin or other salicylates contained in some of these medicines, especially if they have a fever or have lost large amounts of body fluid because of vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating.

Geriatric

The elderly are usually more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.

Pregnancy

The occasional use of decongestant and analgesic combinations at the doses recommended on the label is not likely to cause problems in the fetus or in the newborn baby. However, for the individual ingredients of these combinations, the following information applies:

Alcohol—Some of these combination medicines contain large amounts of alcohol. Too much use of alcohol during pregnancy may cause birth defects.
—Studies in humans have not shown that caffeine causes birth defects. However, studies in animals have shown that caffeine causes birth defects when given in very large doses (amounts equal to the amount of caffeine contained in 12 to 24 cups of coffee a day).
Ibuprofen—Studies on birth defects have not been done in humans. However, there is a chance that ibuprofen may cause unwanted effects on the heart or blood flow of the fetus or newborn baby if it is taken regularly during the last few months of pregnancy.
Phenylephrine—Studies on birth defects have not been done in either humans or animals with phenylephrine.
Pseudoephedrine—Studies on birth defects with pseudoephedrine have not been done in humans. In animal studies pseudoephedrine did not cause birth defects. However, when given to animals in high doses, pseudoephedrine did cause a decrease in average weight, length, and rate of bone formation in the animal fetus.
Salicylates (e.g., aspirin)—Studies on birth defects in humans have been done with aspirin, but not with salicylamide. Although salicylates have been shown to cause birth defects in animals, they have not been shown to cause birth defects in humans.

Regular use of salicylates late in pregnancy may cause unwanted effects on the heart or blood flow in the fetus or newborn baby. Use of salicylates during the last 2 weeks of pregnancy may cause bleeding problems in the fetus before or during delivery, or in the newborn baby. Also, too much use of salicylates during the last 3 months of pregnancy may increase the length of pregnancy, prolong labor and cause other problems during delivery, or cause severe bleeding in the mother before, during, or after delivery. Do not take aspirin during the last 3 months of pregnancy unless it has been ordered by your doctor.

Breastfeeding

If you are breast-feeding the chance that problems might occur depends on the ingredients of the combination. For the individual ingredients of these combinations, the following apply:

Acetaminophen—Acetaminophen passes into the breast milk. However, it has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.
Alcohol—Alcohol passes into the breast milk. However, the amount of alcohol in recommended doses of this medicine does not usually cause problems in nursing babies.
Caffeine—Small amounts of caffeine pass into the breast milk and may build up in the nursing baby. However, the amount of caffeine in recommended doses of this medicine does not usually cause problems in nursing babies.
Decongestants (e.g., phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine)—Decongestants may pass into the breast milk and may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies of mothers taking this medicine.
Salicylates (e.g., aspirin)—Salicylates pass into the breast milk. Although salicylates have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies, it is possible that problems may occur if large amounts are taken regularly.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking any of these medicines, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with a medication in this class or change some of the other medicines you take.

Abrocitinib
Clorgyline
Defibrotide
Dichlorphenamide
Dihydroergotamine
Influenza Virus Vaccine, Live
Iproniazid
Isocarboxazid
Ketorolac
Linezolid
Nialamide
Pargyline
Phenelzine
Procarbazine
Rasagiline
Riociguat
Selegiline
Sibutramine
Tranylcypromine
Viloxazine

Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Abciximab
Acarbose
Aceclofenac
Acemetacin
Acenocoumarol
Acetazolamide
Alclometasone
Aldosterone
Alipogene Tiparvovec
Alteplase, Recombinant
Amcinonide
Amifampridine
Amikacin
Amiloride
Amineptine
Amitriptyline
Amitriptylinoxide
Amoxapine
Amphetamine
Amphotericin B
Amtolmetin Guacil
Anagrelide
Anisindione
Apixaban
Ardeparin
Argatroban
Asciminib
Aspirin
Bacitracin
Balsalazide
Beclomethasone
Bemetizide
Bemiparin
Benazepril
Bendroflumethiazide
Benzthiazide
Betamethasone
Betrixaban
Bisacodyl
Bismuth Subsalicylate
Bivalirudin
Brinzolamide
Bromfenac
Bromocriptine
Budesonide
Bufexamac
Bumetanide
Cangrelor
Caplacizumab-yhdp
Capmatinib
Capreomycin
Captopril
Carbamazepine
Celecoxib
Certoparin
Chlorothiazide
Chlorpromazine
Chlorpropamide
Chlortetracycline
Chlorthalidone
Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate
Choline Salicylate
Ciclesonide
Cilostazol
Ciprofloxacin
Cisplatin
Citalopram
Clobetasol
Clobetasone
Clocortolone
Clomipramine
Clonixin
Clopamide
Clopidogrel
Cortisone
Curcumin
Cyclopenthiazide
Cyclosporine
Cyclothiazide
Dabigatran Etexilate
Dalteparin
Danaparoid
Deflazacort
Delafloxacin
Demeclocycline
Desipramine
Desirudin
Desmopressin
Desonide
Desoximetasone
Desvenlafaxine
Dexamethasone
Dexibuprofen
Dexketoprofen
Dextroamphetamine
Diazoxide
Dibenzepin
Diclofenac
Dicumarol
Diflorasone
Diflucortolone
Diflunisal
Difluprednate
Digoxin
Dipyridamole
Dipyrone
Donepezil
Dorzolamide
Dothiepin
Doxepin
Doxycycline
Droxicam
Duloxetine
Edoxaban
Emtricitabine
Enalapril
Enalaprilat
Enoxacin
Enoxaparin
Eplerenone
Epoprostenol
Eptifibatide
Eravacycline
Escitalopram
Ethacrynic Acid
Etodolac
Etofenamate
Etoricoxib
Etozolin
Felbinac
Fenoprofen
Fepradinol
Feprazone
Feverfew
Floctafenine
Flucloronide
Fluconazole
Fludrocortisone
Flufenamic Acid
Flumethasone
Flunisolide
Fluocinolone
Fluocinonide
Fluocortin
Fluocortolone
Fluorometholone
Fluoxetine
Flurandrenolide
Flurbiprofen
Fluticasone
Fluvoxamine
Fondaparinux
Foscarnet
Fosinopril
Fosphenytoin
Furazolidone
Furosemide
Gatifloxacin
Gemifloxacin
Gentamicin
Ginkgo
Givosiran
Glimepiride
Glipizide
Glyburide
Gossypol
Grepafloxacin
Guanethidine
Halcinonide
Halobetasol
Heparin
Hydrochlorothiazide
Hydrocortisone
Hydroflumethiazide
Ibrutinib
Ibuprofen
Iloprost
Imatinib
Imipramine
Indapamide
Indomethacin
Inotersen
Iobenguane I 123
Iobenguane I 131
Iron
Isoniazid
Kanamycin
Ketoprofen
Lepirudin
Levofloxacin
Levomilnacipran
Licorice
Lisdexamfetamine
Lisinopril
Lithium
Lofepramine
Lomefloxacin
Lornoxicam
Loteprednol
Loxoprofen
Lumacaftor
Lumiracoxib
Lymecycline
Macimorelin
Magnesium Salicylate
Mavacamten
Meadowsweet
Meclocycline
Meclofenamate
Medrysone
Mefenamic Acid
Melitracen
Meloxicam
Melphalan
Mesalamine
Metformin
Methacycline
Methazolamide
Methotrexate
Methyclothiazide
Methylprednisolone
Metolazone
Midodrine
Milnacipran
Minocycline
Moexipril
Mometasone
Morniflumate
Moxifloxacin
Nabumetone
Nadroparin
Naproxen
Nateglinide
Nefazodone
Neomycin
Nepafenac
Netilmicin
Nicorandil
Niflumic Acid
Nimesulide
Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
Norfloxacin
Nortriptyline
Ofloxacin
Olsalazine
Olsalazine Sodium
Omadacycline
Opipramol
Oxaprozin
Oxyphenbutazone
Oxytetracycline
Paramethasone
Parecoxib
Parnaparin
Paromomycin
Paroxetine
Pemetrexed
Penicillamine
Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
Pentoxifylline
Perindopril
Phenindione
Phenprocoumon
Phenylbutazone
Phenyl Salicylate
Phenytoin
Piketoprofen
Piracetam
Piretanide
Piroxicam
Pixantrone
Plazomicin
Pneumococcal 13-Valent Vaccine, Diphtheria Conjugate
Polythiazide
Potassium Citrate
Pranoprofen
Prasugrel
Prednicarbate
Prednisolone
Prednisone
Proglumetacin
Propyphenazone
Proquazone
Protein C
Protriptyline
Quinapril
Quinethazone
Ramipril
Repaglinide
Reteplase, Recombinant
Reviparin
Rimexolone
Ritlecitinib
Rivaroxaban
Rofecoxib
Rolitetracycline
Salicylamide
Salicylic Acid
Salsalate
Sarecycline
Selexipag
Selumetinib
Senna
Sertraline
Sibutramine
Sodium Picosulfate
Sodium Salicylate
Sparfloxacin
Spectinomycin
Spirapril
Spironolactone
Streptomycin
Sulfasalazine
Sulfinpyrazone
Sulindac
Sulodexide
Tacrolimus
Tenofovir Alafenamide
Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate
Tenoxicam
Tetracycline
Tianeptine
Tiaprofenic Acid
Ticagrelor
Ticlopidine
Tigecycline
Tinzaparin
Tirofiban
Tobramycin
Tolazamide
Tolbutamide
Tolfenamic Acid
Tolmetin
Torsemide
Trandolapril
Trazodone
Treprostinil
Triamcinolone
Triamterene
Trichlormethiazide
Trimipramine
Trolamine Salicylate
Trovafloxacin
Turmeric
Valdecoxib
Valproic Acid
Vancomycin
Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live
Venlafaxine
Vilazodone
Vorapaxar
Vortioxetine
Warfarin
Xipamide
Zavegepant

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Using medicines in this class with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use your medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Ethanol
Tobacco

Proper Use

Take this medicine only as directed. Do not take more of it and do not take it more often than recommended on the label, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of side effects

For aspirin- or salicylamide-containing medicines:

If this medicine irritates your stomach, you may take it with food or a glass of water or milk to lessen the irritation.
If a combination medicine containing aspirin has a strong vinegar-like odor, do not use it. This odor means the medicine is breaking down. If you have any questions about this, check with your pharmacist.

For ibuprofen-containing medicines:

To lessen stomach upset, these medicines may be taken with food or an antacid.
Take with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Also, do not lie down for about 15 to 30 minutes after taking the medicine. Doing so may cause irritation that may lead to trouble in swallowing.

Dosing

The dose medicines in this class will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

The dose of these combination medicines will be different for different products. Follow the directions on the box if you are buying this medicine without a prescription.. There is a large variety of decongestant and analgesic combination products on the market. Some products are for use in adults only, while others may be used in children. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.

For oral dosage forms (capsules, liquid, or tablets):
- For sinus pain and congestion:
  - Adults and children 12 years of age and older—1 to 2 capsules or tablets every four to six hours.
  - Children up to 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  - Children 4 to 12 years of age—1 tablet, 4 to 6 chewable tablets, or 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls of liquid every four hours.
  - Children and infants up to 4 years of age—Use is not recommended .

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Precautions

Check with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or become worse, or if you have a high fever.

This medicine may cause some people to become nervous or restless or to have trouble in sleeping. If you have trouble in sleeping, take the last dose of this medicine for each day a few hours before bedtime. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Before having any kind of surgery (including dental surgery) or emergency treatment, tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are taking this medicine.

Check the label of all over-the-counter (OTC), nonprescription, and prescription medicines you now take. If any of them contain acetaminophen, aspirin, other salicylates such as bismuth subsalicylate (e.g., Pepto Bismol) or magnesium salicylate (e.g., Nuprin Backache Caplets), or salicylic acid (present in some shampoos and skin products), check with your health care professional. Using any of them together with this medicine may cause an overdose.

Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking this medicine. Stomach problems may be more likely to occur if you drink alcoholic beverages while you are taking aspirin or ibuprofen. Also, liver damage may be more likely to occur if you drink large amounts of alcoholic beverages while you are taking acetaminophen.

If you think that you or anyone else may have taken an overdose of this medicine, get emergency help at once. Taking an overdose of a salicylate may cause unconsciousness or death. The first sign of an aspirin overdose may be ringing or buzzing in the ears. Other signs include convulsions (seizures), hearing loss, confusion, severe drowsiness or tiredness, severe excitement or nervousness, and unusually fast or deep breathing. Signs of severe acetaminophen overdose may not appear until 2 to 4 days after the overdose is taken, but treatment to prevent liver damage or death must be started within 24 hours or less after the overdose is taken

For patients taking aspirin-containing medicine:

Do not take aspirin-containing medicine for 5 days before any surgery, including dental surgery, unless otherwise directed by your medical doctor or dentist. Taking aspirin during this time may cause bleeding problems.

For diabetic patients taking salicylate-containing medicine:

False urine sugar test results may occur if you take 8 or more 325-mg (5-grain) doses of aspirin every day for several days in a row. Smaller doses or occasional use of aspirin usually will not affect urine sugar tests. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional, especially if your diabetes is not well controlled.

For patients taking ibuprofen-containing medicine:

This medicine may cause some people to become confused, drowsy, dizzy, lightheaded, or less alert than they are normally. It may also cause blurred vision or other vision problems in some people. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert and able to see well.
Serious side effects can occur during treatment with this medicine. Sometimes serious side effects can occur without any warning. However, possible warning signs often occur, including swelling of the face, fingers, feet, and/or lower legs; severe stomach pain, black, tarry stools, and/or vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds; unusual weight gain; and/or skin rash. Also, signs of serious heart problems could occur such as chest pain, tightness in chest, fast or irregular heartbeat, or unusual flushing or warmth of skin. Stop taking this medicine and check with your doctor immediately if you notice any of these warning signs.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although serious side effects occur rarely when this medicine is taken as recommended, they may be more likely to occur if too much medicine is taken, if it is taken in large doses, or if it is taken for a long period of time.

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

For all combinations

Convulsions (seizures)
dizziness or light-headedness (severe)
fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
headache (continuing and severe)
increased sweating
mood or mental changes
nausea or vomiting (severe or continuing)
nervousness or restlessness (severe)
shortness of breath or troubled breathing
stomach cramps or pain (severe or continuing)
swelling or tenderness in the upper abdomen or stomach area
trouble in sleeping

For acetaminophen-containing only

Diarrhea
loss of appetite

For aspirin- or salicylamide-containing only

Any loss of hearing
changes in behavior (in children)
confusion
diarrhea (severe or continuing)
drowsiness or tiredness (severe, especially in children)
fast or deep breathing (especially in children)
ringing or buzzing in ears (continuing)
uncontrollable flapping movements of the hands, (especially in elderly patients)
unexplained fever
unusual thirst
vision problems

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain (mild—for combinations containing aspirin or ibuprofen)

Less common or rare

Bloody or black, tarry stools
bloody or cloudy urine
blurred vision or any changes in vision or eyes
changes in facial skin color
changes in hearing
changes or problems with urination
difficult or painful urination
fever
headache, severe, with fever and stiff neck
increased blood pressure
muscle cramps or pain
skin rash, hives, or itching
sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth
swelling of face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
swollen and/or painful glands
unexplained sore throat and fever
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
weight gain (unusual)
yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Heartburn or indigestion (for medicines containing salicylate or ibuprofen)
nervousness or restlessness

Less common

Drowsiness (for medicines containing salicylamide)

Not all of the side effects listed above have been reported for each of these medicines, but they have been reported for at least one of them. There are some similarities among these combination medicines, so many of the above side effects may occur with any of these medicines.

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/decongestant-and-analgesic-combinations-oral-route/description/drg-20070131

Decongestant And Analgesic Combinations (Oral Route)

Description and Brand Names

US Brand Name

Canadian Brand Name

Descriptions

Before Using

Allergies

Pediatric

Geriatric

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding

Drug Interactions

Other Interactions

Other Medical Problems

Proper Use

Dosing

Missed Dose

Storage

Precautions

Side Effects

For all combinations

For acetaminophen-containing only

For aspirin- or salicylamide-containing only

More common

Less common or rare

More common

Less common

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