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Original Actifed
Actifed® Cold & Allergy (chlorpheniramine maleate and phenylephrine hydrochloride) is an over-the-counter medication used to treat the symptoms of allergies and the common cold. It contains an antihistamine and a decongestant.
The version 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 original Actifed feel that the new, reformulated version is not as effective.
While the brand-name original formula 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.
(Click Actifed for a more in-depth look at the difference between original Actifed and the version sold in stores today. This article also explains how Actifed works, lists potential side effects, and describes general safety precautions to be aware of with the drug.)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD