$Unique_ID{BRK02124}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{PSEUDOEPHEDRINE, TRIPROLIDINE, AND CODEINE COMBINATION}
$Subject{Actagen-C Cough Syrup (Goldline)
Actifed with Codeine (Burroughs Wellcome)
Allerfrin with Codeine (Rugby)
Triacin-C (various manufacturers)
Trifed-C (Geneva Generics)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


PSEUDOEPHEDRINE, TRIPROLIDINE, AND CODEINE COMBINATION
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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.
Wear protective clothing, and use an effective sunscreen.
     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; get up
slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.

     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, 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, tell your doctor
or dentist you are taking this drug.
     * Be sure to 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.
