Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Ala-Hist AC
  2. Ala-Hist DHC
  3. Alavert-D 12-Hour
  4. Aldex D
  5. Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Sinus
  6. AllanVan-S
  7. Allegra
  8. Allegra-D
  9. Aller-Chlor
  10. Allerx-D
  11. Allfen CD
  12. Allres PD
  13. Amibid LA
  14. Benadryl
  15. BPM Pseudo
  16. Bromcomp HC
  17. Bromfed-PD
  18. BroveX CB
  19. By-Ache
  20. Canges-HC
  21. Ceron
  22. Ceron-DM
  23. Chlor-Trimeton Nasal Decongestant
  24. Clarinex-D
  25. Codimal DH
  26. Cotab A
  27. Cotabflu
  28. Cypex-LA
  29. Deconamine SR
  30. Delsym
  31. Dexphen wC
  32. Donatussin DC
  33. Donnatussin
  34. D-Tann HC
  35. EndaCof-DC
  36. FluTuss XP
  37. Genapap Sinus
  38. G Phen DM
  39. HC Tussive
  40. Histex PD
  41. Humibid DM
  42. Hycodan
  43. Hycofenix
  44. Hydone
  45. HyTan
  46. Kie
  47. Levall 12
  48. Lusonal
  49. Maxiflu CD
  50. Maxiphen CD
  51. M-End Max D
  52. Mucinex D
  53. Nasop
  54. Notuss-Forte
  55. Notuss-NX
  56. Notuss-NXD
  57. Novahistine DH
  58. Pancof HC
  59. Pediatex 12
  60. Pediatex 12D
  61. Pediatex 12DM
  62. Pediatex-D
  63. Phenergan wCodeine
  64. Phenflu CD
  65. Phenylephrine CM
  66. Phenylhistine
  67. Poly-Tussin AC
  68. Poly-Tussin DHC
  69. Pro-Clear AC
  70. Promethazine VC With Codeine
  71. Pro-Red AC
  72. RelaTuss HC
  73. Robitussin
  74. Robitussin DM
  75. Ryneze
  76. Semprex-D
  77. SSKI
  78. Stahist
  79. Sudafed
  80. SymTan
  81. SymTan A
  82. Tanafed DMX
  83. Tannate Pediatric
  84. Tessalon Perles
  85. Triacin C
  86. Tricold Pediatric Drops
  87. Tripohist D
  88. Tussi-12 S
  89. TussiCaps
  90. Tuzistra XR
  91. Tylenol
  92. Uni-Tann D
  93. Vituz
  94. Xpect-PE
  95. Xyzal
  96. Y-Cof DM
  97. Z-COF DM
  98. Zhist
  99. Zodryl DAC 25
  100. Zotex-D
  101. Zymine
  102. Zymine HC
  103. ZyrTEC-D

Canadian Brand Name

  1. Actifed Sinus Regular
  2. Adult Nighttime ColdFlu Relief - Cherry Flavor
  3. Adult Nighttime ColdFlu Relief - Original Flavor
  4. Allergy Sinus Medication Extra Strength
  5. Atoma Night Adult ColdFlu Relief
  6. Atoma Nighttime ColdFlu Relief - Cherry Flavor
  7. Balminil
  8. Balminil Dm Children
  9. Balminil Dm Sugar-Free
  10. Balminil Expectorant
  11. Balminil Expectorant Sugar-Free
  12. Balminil With Sugar

Descriptions


Cough/cold combinations are used mainly to relieve the cough due to colds, influenza, or hay fever. They are not to be used for the chronic cough that occurs with smoking, asthma, or emphysema or when there is an unusually large amount of mucus or phlegm (pronounced flem) with the cough.

Cough/cold combination products contain more than one ingredient. For example, some products may contain an antihistamine, a decongestant, and an analgesic, in addition to a medicine for coughing. If you are treating yourself, it is important to select a product that is best for your symptoms. Also, in general, it is best to buy a product that includes only those medicines you really need. If you have questions about which product to buy, check with your pharmacist.

Since different products contain ingredients that will have different precautions and side effects, it is important that you know the ingredients of the medicine you are taking. The different kinds of ingredients that may be found in cough/cold combinations include:

Antihistamines—Antihistamines are used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of hay fever and other types of allergy. They also help relieve some symptoms of the common cold, such as sneezing and runny nose. They work by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine, which is produced by the body. Some examples of antihistamines contained in these combinations are:

  • Bromodiphenhydramine
  • Brompheniramine
  • Carbinoxamine
  • Chlorpheniramine
  • Dexchlorpheniramine
  • Diphenhydramine
  • Doxylamine
  • Phenindamine
  • Pheniramine
  • Phenyltoloxamine
  • Pyrilamine
  • Promethazine
  • Triprolidine

Decongestants—Decongestants produce a narrowing of blood vessels. This leads to clearing of nasal congestion. However, this effect may also increase blood pressure in patients who have high blood pressure. These include:

  • Ephedrine
  • Phenylephrine
  • Pseudoephedrine

Antitussives—Antitussives help relieve coughing and are some contain a narcotic. These antitussives act directly on the cough center in the brain. Narcotics may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence, if used for a long time. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects when you stop taking the medicine.

Narcotic antitussives

  • Codeine
  • Dihydrocodeine
  • Hydrocodone
  • Hydromorphone

Non-narcotic antitussives

  • Carbetapentane
  • Caramiphen
  • Dextromethorphan

Expectorants—Expectorants work by loosening the mucus or phlegm in the lungs. The main expectorant used in cough and cold medicines is guaifenesin. Other ingredients added as expectorants (for example, ammonium chloride, calcium iodide, iodinated glycerol, ipecac, potassium guaiacolsulfonate, potassium iodide, and sodium citrate) have not been proven to be effective. In general, the best thing you can do to loosen mucus or phlegm is to drink plenty of water.

Analgesics—Analgesics are used in these combination medicines to help relieve the aches and pain that may occur with the common cold. These include:

  • Acetaminophen
  • Aspirin
  • Other salicylates such as salicylamide and sodium salicylate

The use of too much acetaminophen and salicylates at the same time may cause kidney damage or cancer of the kidney or urinary bladder. This may occur 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.

Anticholinergics—Anticholinergics, such as homatropine may help produce a drying effect in the nose and chest.

These cough and cold combinations are available both over-the-counter (OTC) and with your doctor's prescription.

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:

  • Solution
  • Tablet, Chewable
  • Tablet, Extended Release, 24 HR
  • Tablet, Extended Release
  • Tablet, Extended Release, 12 HR
  • Tablet
  • Syrup
  • Liquid
  • Capsule, Liquid Filled
  • Capsule
  • Elixir
  • Suspension, Extended Release
  • Lozenge/Troche
  • Suspension
  • Tablet, Effervescent
  • Packet
  • Powder for Solution
  • Film