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dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine

Generic Alahist PE
Used for Nasal Congestion
Used for Nasal Congestion

Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) is a combination medication containing an antihistamine and a decongestant. It's used for relieving symptoms from allergies and the common cold, like runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and itchy or watery eyes. This medication comes as a tablet that's taken by mouth every 4 hours as needed for symptom relief. It's available over the counter for people 6 years and older. Possible side effects include headache, sleepiness, and sometimes restlessness.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on October 22, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageCostContraindicationsAlternativesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine)?

What is Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) used for?

Short-term relief of symptoms from allergy or the common cold:

  • Runny nose

  • Sneezing

  • Itchy nose or throat

  • Itchy, watery eyes

  • Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)

How Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) works

Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) is a combination of two medications that work together to relieve symptoms caused by allergies and the common cold.

Are you looking for information on Dimetapp Cold and Allergy (brompheniramine / phenylephrine) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsAlahist PE
Drug ClassAntihistamine / Decongestant
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityOver-the-counter
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What are the side effects of Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Other Side Effects

  • Restlessness
  • Nervousness
  • Trouble sleeping

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Signs of accidentally taking too much: seizures, hallucinations, not responding to sound or touch, fast heartbeat, flushing, extreme sleepiness, changes in vision, irritability in children

Source: DailyMed

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine)

thumbs-up

Pros

Typically starts to work within 30 minutes

Convenient to take a combination pill that treats many allergy and common cold symptoms at the same time

Available over the counter

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Cons

Might need to take as often as every 4 hours to relieve symptoms

More difficult to customize the dose since it's a fixed combination of two medications

Might not be a good choice for people over 65 years old, people with glaucoma, or people with breathing or urinary problems

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine)

pharmacist

  • You can take Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) with or without food. Taking the medication with food can help if it upsets your stomach.

    • You can start taking Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) when your allergy or cold symptoms start bothering you. Then, it's recommended that you take the medication every 4 hours to get the most relief. Stop taking the medication once you feel that your symptoms go away or after you've taken the medication for 7 days, whichever is sooner.

      • Stop taking Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) and contact a healthcare professional if your symptoms worsen or last longer than a week. Also tell them if you start to have a fever. These might be signs that you need more medical attention.

        • Stop taking Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) and contact your healthcare team if you have side effects like dizziness, nervousness, or trouble sleeping. Depending on how bothersome these side effects are, your care team can recommend different options to relieve your allergy or cold symptoms safely.

          • Don't drink alcohol or take Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) with other medications that cause sleepiness, such as opioids or benzodiazepines. Otherwise, side effects like dizziness and sleepiness from the medications can be more intense and raise your risk for accidental injuries.

            • Tips for giving Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) to children: For half-tablet doses, make sure to use a pill splitter to safely cut tablets in half along the score line (indented line down the center of the tablet). Don't use the medication as a way to help your child go to sleep. It might make some children hyper.

              • Don't start any new medications — especially other antihistamines or decongestants — while you're taking Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) without talking to a member of your care team first. Sometimes, it can raise your risk of accidentally taking too much medication and having serious side effects, including daytime sleepiness, dizziness, high blood pressure, and even seizures.

                faqs

                Frequently asked questions about Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine)

                Does Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) make you sleepy?
                Yes, it's possible for Alahist PE to make you sleepy. One of the active ingredients in this medication is dexbrompheniramine, an antihistamine that can cause sleepiness as a side effect. Alahist PE also contains phenylephrine, a decongestant that might make it harder for you to sleep. When you first start taking Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine), pay attention to how the medication affects your sleep. Contact your primary care provider or pharmacist to discuss better options for you if Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) is making you too sleepy or disrupting your sleep.
                Does Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) raise blood pressure?
                Phenylephrine, one of the active ingredients in Alahist PE, can potentially raise your blood pressure. But it isn't very likely. If you already have high blood pressure or if you're taking other medications that can raise blood pressure though, you might be more likely to have higher blood pressure while you're taking Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine). Ask a member of your healthcare team whether Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) is safe for you if you have a history of heart problems or if you're taking a blood pressure medication.
                Is Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) a narcotic?
                No. Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) isn't considered a narcotic. Narcotics refer to opioid medications, but Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) doesn't have an opioid in it.
                Is Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) over the counter?
                Yes, Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) is available over the counter without a prescription from a healthcare professional. It should be in the allergy and cough and cold aisle in the pharmacy. Ask the pharmacist for help if you can't find the medication at your local pharmacy. The pharmacist can recommend other allergy or cold medications if Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) isn't currently available in the store.
                Can you take ibuprofen with Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine)?
                Yes, it's generally okay to take ibuprofen (Advil) with Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) if you need pain relief or if you need to lower a fever. Ibuprofen and Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) don't seem to interact with each other. But keep in mind that ibuprofen isn't a safe choice for everyone. Ibuprofen has its own set of risks, like kidney problems and worsening heart failure. Additionally, phenylephrine (the decongestant in Alahist PE) and ibuprofen can both potentially raise blood pressure. Ask your primary care provider or pharmacist whether taking Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) and ibuprofen together is safe for you.
                Can you take Tylenol with Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine)?
                It's generally okay to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain relief or fever while you're taking Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine). There aren't any known interactions between acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine). But note that acetaminophen (Tylenol) might not be a good choice for everyone. For example, it's typically not recommended for people with liver problems because it can cause liver damage. Before you take any pain relievers with Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine), speak with your primary care provider or pharmacist to make sure it's safe for you to do so, especially if you have liver problems.
                Is Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) safe to take if I'm pregnant?
                Don't take Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) until you've talked to a healthcare professional first if you're pregnant. Antihistamines like dexbrompheniramine are generally considered safe during pregnancy. But it's unclear whether decongestants like phenylephrine have a risk of harm to an unborn baby if they're taken during pregnancy. Discuss with a healthcare professional about the risks and benefits of taking Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) during pregnancy.
                Can I take Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) if I'm breastfeeding?
                Don't take Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) until you've talked to a healthcare professional first if you're breastfeeding. This medication contains phenylephrine, which can possibly dry up your milk supply. You can discuss with the healthcare professional about the risks and benefits of taking Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) while you're nursing. Also discuss with them about alternatives to breastfeeding, such as using baby formula.
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                What are the risks and warnings for Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine)?

                Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                risk-warning

                Worsening of certain medical conditions

                • Risk factors: Heart problem | High blood pressure | Thyroid problem | High blood sugar (diabetes) | Glaucoma | Breathing problem (e.g., emphysema, long-term bronchitis) | Urinary condition

                  Talk with your primary care provider or pharmacist first before you take Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) if you have other medical conditions. They can make sure this medication is safe and appropriate for you to take.

                  People who are 65 years of age or older might feel side effects from Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) more intensely. In addition, this medication might worsen certain health conditions, like high blood pressure, thyroid problems, diabetes, glaucoma, and breathing problems.

                  risk-warning

                  Accidentally taking too much medication

                  Alahist PE contains an antihistamine (dexbrompheniramine) and a decongestant (phenylephrine). Antihistamines and decongestants are commonly found in many other over-the-counter and prescription products. It's possible to accidentally take too much of any one of these ingredients if you take more than one medication at the same time.

                  Taking too many antihistamines or too many decongestants at one time can be dangerous. It can lead to serious side effects, including severe dizziness, poor balance, and even seizures or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't real).

                  Ask your primary care provider or pharmacist if you're not sure whether you're taking a medication that has the same or similar ingredients as Alahist PE. Tell your care team about the medications you take or plan to take to make sure they're safe for you. Get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away if you think you or a loved one accidentally took too much medication.

                  dosage

                  Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) dosage forms

                  The average cost for 20 tablets of 2mg/10mg of Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) is $6.82 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 45.34% off the average retail price of $12.47.
                  tablet
                  Tablet
                  DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                  2mg/10mg20 tablets$6.82$0.34

                  Typical dosing for Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine)

                  Each tablet of Alahist PE contains 2 mg of dexbrompheniramine and 7.5 mg of phenylephrine.

                  • Adult and children age 12 years or older: The typical dose is 1 tablet by mouth every 4 hours. Don't take more than 6 tablets in a 24-hour period.

                  • Children age 6 years to under 12 years: The typical dose is one-half tablet by mouth every 4 hours. Don't take more than 3 tablets in a 24-hour period.

                  • Children younger than 6 years old: Ask your child's pediatrician or primary care provider.

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                  contraindications-icon

                  Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) contraindications

                  Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine) will not be safe for you to take.
                  alternatives

                  What are alternatives to Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine)?

                  There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                  Alahist PE (dexbrompheniramine / phenylephrine)
                  Used for:

                  Short-term relief of symptoms from allergy or the common cold:

                  • Runny nose

                  • Sneezing

                  • Itchy nose or throat

                  • Itchy, watery eyes

                  • Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)

                  $6.82 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                  Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine)
                  Used for:

                  • Runny nose

                  • Sneezing

                  • Itchy nose or throat

                  • Itchy, watery eyes

                  • Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)

                  • Sinus congestion and pressure

                  View Prices
                  Chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine
                  Used for:

                  • Runny nose

                  • Sneezing

                  • Itchy or watery eyes

                  • Itchy nose or throat

                  • Stuffy nose

                  • Sinus congestion and pressure

                  $18.98 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices

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                  References

                  Best studies we found

                  Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration. (2020). Narcotics.

                  Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®). (2024). Phenylephrine. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

                  Hoeft, D. (2014). An overview of clinically significant drug interactions between medications used to treat psychiatric and medical conditions. Mental Health Clinician.

                  View All References (3)

                  Poly Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2024). Alahist PE- dexbrompheniramine maleate, phenylephrine hydrochloride tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.

                  Talbert, M., et al. (2018). How much do oral decongestants increase blood pressure in patients with hypertension? Evidence-Based Practice.

                  GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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