Actifed
Encyclopedia
Actifed is a registered trademark for a combination antihistamine
and nasal decongestant medication used for cold
and allergy
symptoms. Developed in 1958 by Burroughs Wellcome & Company (now part of GlaxoSmithKline
), the product was later acquired by Pfizer
, and was most recently sold by Johnson & Johnson
. In the U.S., the formula was changed in 2006 due to a change in the legal environment; at the same time, distribution of the product was limited to certain stores.
hydrochloride 60 mg as the nasal decongestant and triprolidine
hydrochloride 2.5 mg as the antihistamine. However, in response to widespread laws requiring products containing pseudoephedrine to be kept behind the pharmacy counter, Pfizer changed Actifed's U.S. formula in late 2006 to contain chlorpheniramine maleate 4 mg as the antihistamine and phenylephrine
HCl 10 mg as the nasal decongestant. Many users of the old formula have complained that the new formula is not as effective at relieving their symptoms. Other brands available behind the counter that use the old formula include Genac and Aprodine. The American pharmacy chain Walgreens
produces a house-brand version of Actifed, Wal-Act, which uses the original pseudoephedrine/triprolidine formula.
In the UK, the product is still available as a pack of 12 tablets produced by McNeil. Each tablet contains Triprolidine hydrochloride 2.5 mg and Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 60 mg and is a Pharmacy
-only medicine.
Actifed is still available in Thailand as a pack of 12 tablets produced by Glaxo Smith Kline. Each tablet contains Triprolidine hydrochloride 2.5 mg and Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 60 mg and is sold as an over the counter medication.
In Germany, the product is available under the registered trademark Rhino PRONT previousely as a pack of 20 tablets and since July 2011 since change of Law, as a Pack of 12 tablets produced by McNeil as well and with the same composition as in the UK above. In Germany too this is a pharmacy-only medicine.
Apollo missions, and was used during Apollo 7
and Apollo 12
when crew members developed head cold symptoms. When Actifed was made available over-the-counter, former astronauts from the Apollo missions appeared in commercials promoting the product.
Antihistamine
An H1 antagonist is a histamine antagonist of the H1 receptor that serves to reduce or eliminate effects mediated by histamine, an endogenous chemical mediator released during allergic reactions...
and nasal decongestant medication used for cold
Common cold
The common cold is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory system, caused primarily by rhinoviruses and coronaviruses. Common symptoms include a cough, sore throat, runny nose, and fever...
and allergy
Allergy
An Allergy is a hypersensitivity disorder of the immune system. Allergic reactions occur when a person's immune system reacts to normally harmless substances in the environment. A substance that causes a reaction is called an allergen. These reactions are acquired, predictable, and rapid...
symptoms. Developed in 1958 by Burroughs Wellcome & Company (now part of GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline plc is a global pharmaceutical, biologics, vaccines and consumer healthcare company headquartered in London, United Kingdom...
), the product was later acquired by Pfizer
Pfizer
Pfizer, Inc. is an American multinational pharmaceutical corporation. The company is based in New York City, New York with its research headquarters in Groton, Connecticut, United States...
, and was most recently sold by Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is an American multinational pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer packaged goods manufacturer founded in 1886. Its common stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the company is listed among the Fortune 500....
. In the U.S., the formula was changed in 2006 due to a change in the legal environment; at the same time, distribution of the product was limited to certain stores.
2006 U.S. formula change
The original formula for Actifed contained pseudoephedrinePseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic drug of the phenethylamine and amphetamine chemical classes. It is used as a nasal/sinus decongestant and stimulant, or as a wakefulness-promoting agent....
hydrochloride 60 mg as the nasal decongestant and triprolidine
Triprolidine
Triprolidine is an over-the-counter antihistamine with anticholinergic properties. It is used to combat the symptoms associated with allergies and is sometimes combined with other cold medications designed to provide general relief for flu-like symptoms. Like many over-the-counter antihistamines,...
hydrochloride 2.5 mg as the antihistamine. However, in response to widespread laws requiring products containing pseudoephedrine to be kept behind the pharmacy counter, Pfizer changed Actifed's U.S. formula in late 2006 to contain chlorpheniramine maleate 4 mg as the antihistamine and phenylephrine
Phenylephrine
Phenylephrine is a selective α1-adrenergic receptor agonist used primarily as a decongestant, as an agent to dilate the pupil, and to increase blood pressure...
HCl 10 mg as the nasal decongestant. Many users of the old formula have complained that the new formula is not as effective at relieving their symptoms. Other brands available behind the counter that use the old formula include Genac and Aprodine. The American pharmacy chain Walgreens
Walgreens
Walgreen Co. , doing business as Walgreens , is the largest drugstore chain in the United States of America. As of August 31st, the company operates 8,210 locations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1901, and has since expanded...
produces a house-brand version of Actifed, Wal-Act, which uses the original pseudoephedrine/triprolidine formula.
In the UK, the product is still available as a pack of 12 tablets produced by McNeil. Each tablet contains Triprolidine hydrochloride 2.5 mg and Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 60 mg and is a Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
-only medicine.
Actifed is still available in Thailand as a pack of 12 tablets produced by Glaxo Smith Kline. Each tablet contains Triprolidine hydrochloride 2.5 mg and Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 60 mg and is sold as an over the counter medication.
In Germany, the product is available under the registered trademark Rhino PRONT previousely as a pack of 20 tablets and since July 2011 since change of Law, as a Pack of 12 tablets produced by McNeil as well and with the same composition as in the UK above. In Germany too this is a pharmacy-only medicine.
Apollo missions
Actifed was included in the standard medical kit aboard the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Apollo missions, and was used during Apollo 7
Apollo 7
Apollo 7 was the first manned mission in the American Apollo space program, and the first manned US space flight after a cabin fire killed the crew of what was to have been the first manned mission, AS-204 , during a launch pad test in 1967...
and Apollo 12
Apollo 12
Apollo 12 was the sixth manned flight in the American Apollo program and the second to land on the Moon . It was launched on November 14, 1969 from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, four months after Apollo 11. Mission commander Charles "Pete" Conrad and Lunar Module Pilot Alan L...
when crew members developed head cold symptoms. When Actifed was made available over-the-counter, former astronauts from the Apollo missions appeared in commercials promoting the product.