Generic Actifed

Is Generic Actifed Available?

Actifed^® Cold & Allergy (chlorpheniramine maleate and phenylephrine hydrochloride) is a non-prescription medication used for treating symptoms of the common cold and allergies (such as hay fever). It contains an antihistamine (chlorpheniramine) and a decongestant (phenylephrine).

 

Brand-name Actifed is made by McNeil Consumer Healthcare. The patents for the active ingredient of Actifed have long expired, and the medication is available in generic form. Generic versions are sold by various manufacturers and under several different names (usually "store-brand" names).

 

Generic Original Actifed

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 version is not as effective.

 

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