Can You Still Buy the Original Actifed?

People sometimes ask pharmacists if they can still buy original Actifed^®. Actifed Cold & Allergy is an over-the-counter medication used to treat symptoms of allergies and the common cold. It contains two different medications: chlorpheniramine maleate (an antihistamine) and phenylephrine hydrochloride (a decongestant).

 

The version of Actifed currently available in the United States is different from original Actifed, which contained triprolidine, instead of chlorpheniramine, and pseudoephedrine, instead of phenylephrine. This change was made in response to new regulations that required pseudoephedrine to be sold behind the pharmacy counter. Some people who were accustomed to the original version feel that the new, reformulated one is not as effective.

 

While brand-name original Actifed is no longer sold in the United States, generic versions are still available. Just look for products containing 2.5 mg of triprolidine hydrochloride and 60 mg of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride. Your pharmacist can help you find a generic version of Actifed.