Indications
Triprolidine is used to relieve allergy symptoms such as a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, hay fever, hives and itching. In most products it is combined with Pseudoephedrine (a decongestant), and sometimes with a cough medicine such as Dextromethorphan or Guaifenesin, to ease the symptoms of colds and coughs.
How It Works
Triprolidine is an antihistamine. It blocks histamine, a natural chemical the body releases during an allergic reaction, which causes sneezing, itching and a runny nose. It also dries up watery secretions. Because it reaches the brain, it often causes drowsiness.
Dosage and Administration
- Adults and children 12 years and over (triprolidine alone): usually 2.5 mg every 4 to 6 hours, not more than 10 mg in 24 hours.
- Combination syrups and tablets: take the dose shown on the product label or as the doctor advises, because the strength differs between products.
- Children 6 to 11 years: only as advised by a doctor or as stated on the label for that age.
- Children under 6 years: do not give unless a doctor advises it.
Take by mouth, with or without food. Do not use for more than a few days for a cold without medical advice.
Interactions
- Alcohol, sleeping tablets, sedatives, strong painkillers such as Tramadol, and other antihistamines can increase drowsiness.
- Do not use with, or within 14 days of stopping, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI, an older type of antidepressant), especially in products that contain Pseudoephedrine.
- Medicines with similar drying effects, such as Amitriptyline, can add to dry mouth, constipation and difficulty passing urine.
- Do not take two cold or allergy products together, as they may contain the same ingredients.
Contraindications
- Allergy to triprolidine or any ingredient of the product.
- Use of an MAOI in the last 14 days.
- Newborn and premature babies.
- Products with Pseudoephedrine: severe high blood pressure or serious heart disease.
Side Effects
Common: drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation and difficulty passing urine. Children may become restless or excited instead of sleepy.
Get urgent medical help for swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing, fits, a very fast or irregular heartbeat, hallucinations, or being unable to pass urine.
Pregnancy and Lactation
Pregnancy: use only if a doctor advises it, particularly in the last weeks before delivery. Breastfeeding: it passes into breast milk and may make the baby drowsy or irritable and may reduce milk supply, so it is best avoided unless a doctor advises it.
Precautions and Warnings
It can make you sleepy, so do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you. Ask a doctor before use if you have glaucoma, an enlarged prostate or trouble passing urine, epilepsy, liver or kidney disease, or, for products with Pseudoephedrine, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes or an overactive thyroid. Older people are more likely to feel confused or unsteady.
Overdose
Too much can cause severe drowsiness or agitation, confusion, hallucinations, fast heartbeat, high temperature and fits, especially in children. Seek emergency medical help straight away.
Therapeutic Class
First-generation (sedating) antihistamine.
Storage
Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and out of the reach of children.
Prepared by the Oshud Alo team from standard drug references. For information only; always follow your doctor's advice.