Medications and Drugs

1. The Common Cold Slideshow Pictures
2. Slideshow: Treating Your Child's Cold or Fever
3. Take the Cold & Flu Quiz

Brand Names: Alka-Seltzer Cold and Sinus, Allerest No Drowsiness, Bayer Select Decongestant, Benadryl Allergy Sinus Headache, Dristan Cold Non-Drowsy, Ornex, Ornex Maximum Strength, Sinarest Sinus, Sine-Off Maximum Strength, Tavist Sinus, Triaminic Softchews Allergy Sinus

Generic Name: acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine (Pronunciation: a SEET a MIN oh fen and SOO doe ee FED rin)

• What is acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine (Alka-Seltzer Cold and Sinus, Allerest No Drowsiness, Bayer Select Decongestant, Benadryl Allergy Sinus Headache, Dristan Cold Non-Drowsy, Ornex, Ornex Maximum Strength, Sinarest Sinus, Sine-Off Maximum Strength, Tavist Sinus, Triaminic Softchews Allergy Sinus)?
• What are the possible side effects of acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine?
• What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine?
• How should I take acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine?
• What happens if I miss a dose?
• What happens if I overdose?
• What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine?
• What other drugs will affect acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine?
• Where can I get more information?

What is acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine (Alka-Seltzer Cold and Sinus, Allerest No Drowsiness, Bayer Select Decongestant, Benadryl Allergy Sinus Headache, Dristan Cold Non-Drowsy, Ornex, Ornex Maximum Strength, Sinarest Sinus, Sine-Off Maximum Strength, Tavist Sinus, Triaminic Softchews Allergy Sinus)?

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer.

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

The combination of acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine is used to treat stuffy nose, sinus congestion, and pain or fever caused by the common cold.

Acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;
• severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness;
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure); or
• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild loss of appetite;
• warmth, tingling, or redness under your skin;
• feeling excited or restless;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• skin rash or itching;

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine?

Do not take this medication without a doctor's advice if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis) or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day. You may not be able to take medicine that contains acetaminophen.

Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while taking acetaminophen.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as APAP) is contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much acetaminophen which can lead to a fatal overdose. Check the label to see if a medicine contains acetaminophen or APAP.

Need help identifying pills and medications?
Use the pill finder tool on RxList.