Decongestant and Analgesic Combinations (Oral Route)

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Decongestant and Analgesic Combinations (Oral Route)

US Brand Names

Canadian Brand Names

Description

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:

• Tablet
• Capsule
• Liquid
• Suspension
• Capsule, Liquid Filled
• Tablet, Chewable
• Packet
• Tablet, Extended Release
• Powder for Solution
• Tablet, Effervescent
• Tablet, Extended Release, 12 HR
• Syrup

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