Decongestant preparations

Another problem is that often different preparations contain aspirin along with other drugs, and unless people carefully read the packet to discover the drugs contained in a cold cure, for example, they may take more aspirin than intended without realizing it. For example, someone may take aspirin for their aching and temperature, along with a decongestant preparation which also contains aspirin. 

Transient stinging can occur with all decongestant preparations after instillation. Because of the relatively low... 

Considering the chemical characteristics, ephedrine has two chiral centers, and therefore four isomers can be identified ( )-ephedrine and ( )-pseudoephedrine [39]. (lR,2S)-(—)-ephedrine is the major isomer found in Ephedra sp., and pharmacological studies have shown it as responsible for the pharmacological activities of ephedra. Not only (—)-ephedrine has the widespread use but also (+)-pseudoephedrine is added in over-the-counter decongestant preparations [40]. The four isomers of ephedrine may be naturally present in Ephedra species, and they are usually used as a hydrochloride form, being the classical purification method for ephedrine hydrochloride a combination of conventional infusion and organic solvent extraction or adsorption [41]. Other alkaloids are also present in smaller amounts, and the minor ephedrine alkaloids include (+)-pseudoephedrine and the demethyl analogues (—)-norephedrine and (+)-norpseudoephedrine [40]. 

The only medications taken by the above patients before onset of symptoms were the decongestant preparations. The increase in dyskinesia when the suspect antUiistamine alone was given to each patient suggests the causal relation of this type of drug to the symptoms. 

Many cough and decongestant preparations contain sedating antihistamines and sometimes non-sedating antihistamines. 

Find out which antihistamines are used in the following commercial cough or decongestant preparations a. Benylin Chesty Coughs b. Night Nurse c. Actifed Chesty Coughs d. Benadryl Plus Capsules. 

The principal OTC pharmaceutical products include cold remedies, vitamins and mineral preparations, antacids, analgesics, topical antibiotics, antiftingals and antiseptics, and laxatives. Others include suntan products, ophthalmic solutions, hemorrhoidal products, sleep aids, and dermatological products for treatment of acne, dandmff, insect parasites, bums, dry skin, warts, and foot care products (11). More recent prescription-to-OTC switches have included hydrocortisone, antihistamine and decongestant products, antiftingal agents, and, as of 1995, several histamine H2-receptor antagonists. 

Do not use any nonprescription drug (eg, cold or flu preparations or nasal decongestants) unless use of a specific drug has been approved by the primary care provider. 

Ephedrine and pseudoephediine are a vasodilator and decongestant respectively used widely in the treatment of asthma and the symptoms of colds and influenza. These pharmaceuticals were derived originally fi om the plant Ephedra sinica and used in traditional Chinese medicinal preparations. Although some are still produced fi om such sources, the major production is via a fermentation process followed by a chemical catalytic reaction. As shown in Figure 1, the intermediate / -phenylacetylcarbinol (PAC) is produced by decarboxylation of pyruvate followed by ligation to benzaldehyde. 

Rhinocort Aqua and Nasonex are preparations containing topical nasal corticosteroids (budesonide and mometasone furoate respectively). Otrivine contains a nasal decongestant (xylometazoline) and Sudafed is a systemic preparation containing a nasal decongestant (phenylephrine). Molcer is a preparation for ear-wax removal and which contains docusate sodium. Emadine contains an antihistamine (emedastine) and is presented as eye drops. 

Ephedrine is the main alkaloid produced in the roots of Ephedra sinica, preparations of which have found medical application in China for at least 5000 years. It was first purified from its natural source in 1887, and its chemical synthesis was achieved in 1927. It was initially used in cardiovascular medicine, but subsequently found wider application in the treatment of mild hayfever and asthma. It is also used as a nasal decongestant and cough suppressant. 

Do not use nasal decongestants or OTC cold preparations (stimulants) without physician approval... 

Avoid taking OTC cold preparations or nasal decongestants... 

Pseudoephedrine (Drixoral, Sudafed, many others). Pseudoephedrine is administered orally for its decongestant effects, is found in many over-the-counter preparations, and is commonly used to help relieve cold symptoms. 

Alpha-1 agonists used as decongestants are listed in Table 26-2. Depending on the preparation, these... 

Nafarelin is available as Synarel, a nasal preparation. The head should be tilted back and 30 seconds allowed to elapse between each spray. Nafarelin is rapidly absorbed by the nasal mucosa. Maximum serum levels occur in 10-40 minutes. Rhinitis is a common side effect. Sneezing should be avoided after administration. Nasal decongestants must not be used for 2 hours following each dose. 

The second example in Table 10 demonstrates the advantages of this silica approach [308]. Using a mobile phase of methanol-water (75 25) buffered with ammonium phosphate at pH = 7.8, various syrups and tablets were analyzed for antihistamines, antitussives, and decongestants. A comparison between reversed-phase and silica methods of similar cough syrups clearly demonstrates that peak responses obtained by the aqueous silica method are more symmetric than the reversed-phase methods (compare Figure 5.8 with Figure 5.9). In addition, the sample preparation procedures in the silica method are relatively simple, requiring dilution for syrup formulations and dissolution for tablets. 

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