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Poly Hist Forte

doxylamine / phenylephrine
Used for Nasal Congestion, Allergic Rhinitis
Used for Nasal Congestion, Allergic Rhinitis

Poly Hist Forte is a combination medication that contains doxylamine (an antihistamine) and phenylephrine (a decongestant). It's used for short-term relief of symptoms from allergies and the common cold, such as runny or stuffy nose, itchy or watery eyes, and sneezing. Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) is available over the counter as a tablet that's taken by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Side effects of this medication include sleepiness, dizziness, and dry mouth. Poly Hist Forte is brand name only.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on June 16, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageCostContraindicationsAlternativesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine)?

What is Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) used for?

Short-term relief of symptoms from allergies and the common cold:

  • Stuffy nose

  • Sinus congestion

  • Runny nose

  • Sneezing

  • Itchy nose or throat

  • Itchy, watery eyes

How Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) works

Poly Hist Forte is a combination of two medications that work together to relieve symptoms caused by allergies and the common cold.

  • Doxylamine is a first-generation antihistamine. It blocks a natural substance in your body called histamine. By blocking histamine, doxylamine relieves runny or itchy nose, sneezing, and watery eyes.

  • Phenylephrine is a decongestant. It tightens the blood vessels in your sinuses and nose to help with swelling and pressure, which will allow you to breathe better.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsPoly Hist Forte
Drug ClassAntihistamine / Decongestant
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityOver-the-counter
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What are the side effects of Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / 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

  • Trouble urinating
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Headache

Source: DailyMed

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine)

thumbs-up

Pros

Can relieve multiple allergy and common cold symptoms

Taken by mouth

Might be an option for children as young as 6 years old

thumbs-down

Cons

Might need to take as often as every 4 hours for symptom relief

Can't adjust the dose of a single medication in this combination

Available as a brand-name medication only

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine)

pharmacist

  • You can take Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) with or without food. Try taking the medication with food if it upsets your stomach to help lessen any stomach side effects.

    • Doxylamine in Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) can make you feel tired. This can affect your ability to think or react. Don't drive or do any task that needs a lot of focus until you know how the medication affects you. Also, don't drink alcohol while taking Poly Hist Forte because doing so can worsen tiredness and dizziness.

      • While doxylamine usually makes adults sleepy, it's possible for children who use this medication to become overly excited or energetic. If this happens to your child, speak to your child's pediatrician.

        • You can take Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) to temporarily relieve cold or allergy symptoms. But let your healthcare team know if your symptoms worsen or last longer than a week. Also tell them if you start to have a fever, because this is a sign that you might need more medical attention.

          • Read the ingredients label on all the medications you're taking. Many over-the-counter cold and flu medications contain the same or very similar ingredients as those in Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine). Taking more than one antihistamine or decongestant can raise your risk of severe side effects, including seizures, hallucinations (seeing things that aren't real), daytime sleepiness, and dizziness.

            • Don't take Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as selegiline. Combining phenylephrine and a MAOI medication can cause dangerously high blood pressure. If you've taken an MAOI in the past 2 weeks, contact your prescriber for other options to treat your symptoms.

              faqs

              Frequently asked questions about Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine)

              How much Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) can I take?
              Each Poly Hist Forte tablet contains 10.5 mg of doxylamine and 10 mg of phenylephrine. Adults and children ages 12 years and older can take 1 tablet by mouth every 4 hours (up to 6 tablets per day). Children ages 6 to under 12 years can take half a tablet every 4 hours (up to 3 whole tablets per day). If you've taken the maximum dose and still don't feel symptom relief, contact your primary care provider. They might recommend other treatments for you. If your primary care provider instructed you to take a different Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) dose that's different than what's on the manufacturer's label, follow their instructions.
              How long does Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) last?
              The effects of Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) should last at least 4 hours after a dose. If you feel like this medication is wearing off before then, talk with your healthcare team. Depending on what symptoms you're experiencing, they might recommend additional medications to help.
              Can you take diphenhydramine (Benadryl) with Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine)?
              No, don't take diphenhydramine (Benadryl) with Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine). Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is an antihistamine; Poly Hist Forte already contains the antihistamine doxylamine. Taking more than one antihistamine at the same time can lead to serious side effects, such as poor balance and agitation. To prevent accidentally taking too many antihistamines, read the medication box and package labels carefully of all the medications you're taking. If you're not sure if you're already taking an antihistamine, ask your pharmacist for help.
              Can you buy Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) over the counter?
              Yes. If Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) is available at your local pharmacy, you should be able to find it over the counter on the shelves in the pharmacy section. But if you're having trouble finding Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine), ask your pharmacist about other antihistamine / decongestant combination products that might be appropriate alternatives to Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine).
              Does Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) make you sleepy?
              Yes, you might feel sleepy after taking Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine). This medication contains doxylamine which can cause sleepiness as a side effect. But it also contains phenylephrine, a decongestant that might keep you awake. When you first start Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine), pay attention to how it affects your sleep. Contact your primary care provider to discuss better options for you if this medication is making you too sleepy or interrupting your sleep.
              Is Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) a decongestant?
              Yes, Poly Hist Forte contains phenylephrine, which is a decongestant used to relieve sinus pressure and stuffy nose.
              Is Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) an antibiotic?
              No, Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) isn't an antibiotic and it doesn't actively fight infections. But Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) might help with certain symptoms of a respiratory infection, like stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, or sinus congestion.
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              What are the risks and warnings for Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine)?

              Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / 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

              Sleepiness

              • Risk factors: Alcohol use | Taking other medications that cause sleepiness | Age 65 or older

                Doxylamine (an ingredient in Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine)) can make you very sleepy, which can affect your ability to focus, think, or react. This side effect is more likely to happen or be more intense if you're 65 years or older, drink alcohol while taking this medication, or take other medications that cause sleepiness (e.g., opioids, benzodiazepines, sleep medications). Don't drive or operate machinery until you know how Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) affects you.

                risk-warning

                Worsening of medical conditions

                • Risk factors: Glaucoma | Heart disease or high blood pressure | Thyroid disease | High blood sugar (diabetes) | Breathing problems | Urinary problems

                  Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) might worsen certain medical conditions. This medication might not be appropriate for you if you have certain medical conditions, such as glaucoma, high blood pressure, breathing problems, and urinary problems. This medication also might not be safe if you're taking certain medications, such as opioids, or other antihistamines and decongestants. Before taking Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine), let your healthcare professional know about what other medical conditions you have and ask if this medication is safe for you.

                  risk-warning

                  Accidental overdose

                  Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) contains an antihistamine (diphenhydramine) and a decongestant (phenylephrine), which are in many other over-the-counter products. Taking more than one medication containing an antihistamine or decongestant can lead to an accidental overdose, which can be life-threatening.

                  To prevent an accidental overdose, read the medication box and package labels carefully so you're aware of the ingredients, age-cut offs, and maximum dosing of your particular product. If you're not sure, ask your pharmacist to help you check for medication interactions.

                  Some signs of taking too much medication can include agitation or other behavior changes or high blood pressure. If you or your loved one experiences an accidental overdose, get medical help as soon as possible.

                  dosage

                  Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) dosage forms

                  The average cost for 30 tablets of 10.5mg/10mg of Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) is $23.59 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 12.06% off the average retail price of $26.82.
                  tablet
                  Tablet
                  DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                  10.5mg/10mg30 tablets$23.59$0.79

                  Typical dosing for Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine)

                  Each tablet contains 10.5 mg of doxylamine and 10 mg of phenylephrine.

                  • Adults and children ages 12 years and older: The typical dose is 1 tablet by mouth every 4 hours. The maximum dose is 6 tablets within a 24-hour period.

                  • Children ages 6 to under 12 years old: The typical dose is half a tablet by mouth every 4 hours. The maximum dose is 3 tablets within a 24-hour period.

                  • Children under 6 years old: Ask your child's pediatrician.

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                  How much does Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) cost?

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                  Poly Hist Forte (brand)
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                  contraindications-icon

                  Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / 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 Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine) will not be safe for you to take.
                  alternatives

                  What are alternatives to Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine)?

                  There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                  Poly Hist Forte (doxylamine / phenylephrine)
                  Used for:

                  Short-term relief of symptoms from allergies and the common cold:

                  • Stuffy nose

                  • Sinus congestion

                  • Runny nose

                  • Sneezing

                  • Itchy nose or throat

                  • Itchy, watery eyes

                  $23.59 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                  Brompheniramine/phenylephrine
                  Used for:

                  • Nasal congestion

                  • Runny nose

                  • Sneezing

                  • Itching of the nose or throat

                  • Itchy or watery eyes

                  $7.70 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

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                  References

                  Best studies we found

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

                  Poly Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2024). Poly Hist Forte- doxylamine succinate and phenylephrine hydrochloride tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.

                  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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