pseudoephedrine / triprolidine
Aprodine is a combination product that has two medications: pseudoephedrine (a decongestant) and triprolidine (an antihistamine). It's used to relieve common cold and allergy symptoms for people 12 years and older. Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) comes as a tablet that's taken by mouth every 4 to 6 hours. This medication is available over the counter, but you'll have to go to the pharmacy counter to purchase it. Possible side effects include dizziness, dry mouth, and keeping you awake or making you sleepy.
What is Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine)?
What is Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) used for?
Short-term relief of symptoms due to the common cold or hay fever (allergies):
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Stuffy nose
- Itching of the nose or throat
- Itchy or watery eyes
How Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) works
Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) is a combination of two medications that work together to relieve symptoms caused by the common cold or allergies.
- Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant. It relieves congestion and pressure by squeezing the blood vessels around your nose and sinuses.
- Triprolidine is an antihistamine. It blocks a natural substance in your body called histamine that normally causes runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes. By blocking histamine, it helps relieve these symptoms.
Drug facts
Side effects of Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine)
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
- Sleepiness
- Restlessness
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
Less Common Side Effects
- Constipation
- Headache
- Trouble sleeping
- Nervousness
Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Excessive sleepiness or dizziness
- Accidentally taking too much medication: flushed skin, vision changes, seizures, confusion, hallucinations, loss of consciousness
The following Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Heart palpitations—rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- Increase in blood pressure
- Sudden eye pain or change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss
- Trouble passing urine
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Anxiety, nervousness
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Headache
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Pros and cons of Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine)
Pros
- Starts working within 30 minutes to an hour
- Can treat a wide variety of common cold or allergy symptoms
- Conveniently combines two medications in each dose
- Available over the counter as a lower-cost generic
Cons
- Might need to take up to every 4 to 6 hours for continued symptom relief
- Not the best choice for people over 65 years old or people with certain medical conditions
- Some states have certain restrictions on how to purchase the medication
- Only available as a tablet
Pharmacist tips for Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine)
- You can take Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) with or without food. Try taking the medication with food if it upsets your stomach to lessen this side effect.
- You can take Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) as needed for cold and allergy symptoms (that is, only when you need symptom relief). Taking the medication on a scheduled basis according to the package instructions while you're having symptoms can help you get the most relief. Don't take more than 4 tablets in a 24-hour period.
- Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) can make you sleepy or dizzy. Don't drive until you know how the medication affects you.
- Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) can make some people have trouble sleeping. See how the medication affects you first before deciding whether to take it close to bedtime.
- It's possible for children who take Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) to become overly excited or energetic. Speak to a pediatrician if this happens to your child.
- Stop using Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) and contact a healthcare professional (HCP) if your symptoms don't get better within 7 days of starting the medication. You might need to get examined to check for other serious issues.
- Also stop taking Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) and call an HCP if you get nervous or dizzy, if you can't sleep, if you develop a fever, or if you start having any new symptoms. These might be signs of a more serious medical condition that need other treatment.
- Don't start any new medications — especially other antihistamines, decongestants, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) — while you're taking Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) without talking to an HCP or pharmacist first. Taking certain medications with Aprodine can raise your risk for serious side effects, like daytime sleepiness, dizziness, and changes in blood pressure.
Common questions about Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine)
You should start to feel some symptom relief within 30 minutes to an hour after you take Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine). Wait about 4 to 6 hours before you take another Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) tablet to help with symptoms you're still having. Be sure you don't take more than 4 tablets in a 24-hour period.
Ask the pharmacist at your local pharmacy whether they carry Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine). This medication might be stored behind the pharmacy counter. You won’t need a prescription for it in most areas, but you’ll need to show photo identification and sign when you buy the medication. Ask your pharmacist where to find PSE in the pharmacy. There are several other similar combination products available over the counter if you're having trouble finding Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine).
Most states don't consider Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) a controlled substance, but there might be certain states that do and have put strict regulations on the medication. This is because Aprodine contains pseudoephedrine, which is a medication that has the potential to be misused. Note that state laws change from time to time. So, it's best to ask your primary care provider or pharmacist whether Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) is a controlled substance in your state and how to take the medication in a safe way.
Yes, it's possible to feel drowsy after you take Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine). This is because it contains the antihistamine triprolidine, which can cause drowsiness. Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) also contains pseudoephedrine, a decongestant that can have the opposite effect and keep you awake. Pay attention to how Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) 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 and affecting your daily activities.
It's recommended that you avoid drinking alcohol while you're taking Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine). Alcohol and Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) together can make side effects like sleepiness and dizziness more intense and put you at risk for accidents. Speak with your primary care provider about your drinking habits and about avoiding alcohol while you're taking Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine).
Avoid taking medications that have a decongestant (e.g., pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine) or antihistamine in it. Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) already contains both a decongestant and antihistamine. Taking too much decongestant can lead to serious side effects like a racing heart and chest pain. And taking too much antihistamine can cause behavioral changes, confusion, and poor balance. Additionally, don't take Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) if you're taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as selegiline or phenelzine (Nardil), within the past 2 weeks. Taking an MAOI with Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) can cause dangerous changes to your blood pressure.
Don't take Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) until you've talked to your primary care provider or pharmacist first if you're pregnant. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends avoiding pseudoephedrine, an ingredient in Aprodine, for the first 3 months of pregnancy. This is because it's been linked to a small risk of birth defects. Your primary care provider or pharmacist can discuss the risks and benefits of using Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) during pregnancy. They can guide you to safe options to relieve your cold or allergy symptoms.
Don't take Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) until you've talked to your primary care provider first if you're breastfeeding. Occasionally taking triprolidine, an ingredient in Aprodine, appears to be safe while breastfeeding. Pseudoephedrine, the other ingredient in Aprodine, can potentially lower your milk supply and make your breastfed baby irritable. Your primary care provider can discuss the risks and benefits of using Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) while breastfeeding.
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Risks and warnings for Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine)
Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) 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.
Sleepiness
- Risk factors: Drinking alcohol while you're taking Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) | Taking other medications that cause sleepiness | Age 65 or older
Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) can make you 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 over 65 years old, drink alcohol while taking this medication, or take other medications that also cause sleepiness (e.g., opioids, certain anxiety medications, sleep medications). Don't drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
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 use Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) 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 Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) more intensely. In addition, this medication might worsen certain medical conditions, like high blood pressure, thyroid problems, diabetes, glaucoma, and breathing problems.
Accidentally taking too much medication
Aprodine contains a decongestant (pseudoephedrine) and an antihistamine (triprolidine). These ingredients can be found in many other over-the-counter products.
The risk of taking too much medication is higher if you use more than one product that contains a decongestant or antihistamine (including products used on the skin). This can be dangerous and lead to serious side effects, including high blood pressure, daytime sleepiness, dizziness, 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 Aprodine. Tell your primary care provider or pharmacist 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.
Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60mg/2.5mg | 30 tablets | $7.92 | $0.26 |
Typical dosage for Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine)
Each tablet contains 60 mg of pseudoephedrine and 2.5 mg of triprolidine.
- Age 12 years or older: The typical dose is 1 tablet by mouth every 4 to 6 hours when you have symptoms. Don't take more than 4 tablets in a 24-hour period.
- Age under 12 years: Ask your child's pediatrician.
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Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) 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 Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine) will not be safe for you to take.
- Currently taking or have taken an MAOI in the last 2 weeks
What are alternatives to Aprodine (pseudoephedrine / triprolidine)?
Short-term relief of symptoms due to the common cold or hay fever (allergies):