Tylenol Cold-Flu Multi-Act D-N (dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine/acetaminophen/chlorpheniram)

Advertisement

Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Acetaminophen is a synthetic nonopiate derivative of p-aminophenol that produces analgesia and antipyresis.

Dextromethorphan, a derivative of levorphanol, is an antitussive agent.

Chlorpheniramine is an alkylamine (propylamine)-derivative, first generation antihistamine.

Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic agent that occurs naturally in plants of the genus Ephedra; the drug acts directly on both alpha- and, to a lesser degree, beta-adrenergic receptors.

Acetaminophen is a non-salicylate antipyretic and non-opioid analgesic agent. Acetaminophen produces analgesia and antipyresis in human and animal studies. Although the precise mechanism by which acetaminophen exerts its analgesic and antipyretic properties is not known, its primary activity is thought to occur centrally.

Individual doses of up to 3 grams and repeated doses of 1 gram of acetaminophen every 6 hours for 48 hours have not been shown to significantly impact platelet aggregation. Acetaminophen also does not have any immediate or delayed effects on small-vessel hemostasis. In patients with hemophilia treated with acetaminophen, there were no significant effects on bleeding time compared to healthy patients after multiple doses.

Following IV administration of single 500-mg, 650-mg, and 1-g doses of acetaminophen in adults, the pharmacokinetics are proportional to the dose administered. The peak plasma concentration of acetaminophen occurs at the end of the 15-minute IV infusion and is up to 70% higher than peak concentrations observed following oral administration of the same dose; however, systemic exposure to acetaminophen is similar following IV or oral administration. Following IV administration of a single dose of 15 mg/kg in pediatric patients or 1 g in adults, systemic exposure to acetaminophen is similar.

Acetaminophen plasma concentrations in neonates >32 weeks gestational age at birth receiving dosages of 12.5 mg/kg IV are similar to those in infants, children, and adolescents receiving dosages of 15 mg/kg IV, and adults receiving 1 g IV. Acetaminophen is widely distributed into most body tissues except fat. Acetaminophen is distributed into human milk in small quantities following oral administration.

About 10-25% of acetaminophen in blood is bound to plasma proteins.

Acetaminophen primarily undergoes metabolism via first-order kinetics that involves 3 separate pathways. These pathways include glucuronide conjugation, sulfate conjugation, and oxidation via the cytochrome P-450 (CYP) enzyme pathways, primarily CYP isoenzyme 2E1, to form a reactive intermediate metabolite N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI). At therapeutic doses, NAPQI is rapidly conjugated with glutathione and further metabolized to form cysteine and mercapturic acid conjugates.

Metabolites of acetaminophen are primarily excreted in the urine. Less than 5% of a dose of acetaminophen is excreted in urine as free acetaminophen and >90% of the dose is excreted within 24 hours after ingestion. Acetaminophen has been reported to have a plasma half-life of 2.4-3 hours in children, adolescents, and adults.

Dextromethorphan is used for the temporary relief of coughs caused by minor throat and bronchial irritation such as may occur with common colds or with inhaled irritants. Dextromethorphan is most effective in the treatment of chronic, nonproductive cough. The drug is a common ingredient in commercial cough mixtures available without prescription.

Generic name: dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine/acetaminophen/chlorpheniram

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

Today’s intelligence on Tylenol Cold-Flu Multi-Act D-N

Intelligence content is not available yet.

Indications

The following indications are listed for Tylenol Cold-Flu Multi-Act D-N:

  • Cold Symptoms
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Flu-Like Symptoms
  • Headache Disorder
  • Nasal Congestion
  • Rhinorrhea

Also known as: Cephalgia, Cephalodynia, Febrile, Febrile Reaction, Nasal Stuffiness, Pyrexia.

Dosing

To minimize risk of overdosage, recommended age-appropriate daily dosages of acetaminophen should not be exceeded.

Dosages of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and dextromethorphan polistirex are expressed in terms of dextromethorphan hydrobromide.

The usual dosage of dextromethorphan hydrobromide for adults and children 12 years of age or older is 10-20 mg every 4 hours or 30 mg every 6-8 hours, not to exceed 120 mg daily, or as directed by a clinician. The usual dosage for children 6 to younger than 12 years of age is 5-10 mg every 4 hours or 15 mg every 6-8 hours, not to exceed 60 mg daily, or as directed by a clinician. Children 2 to younger than 6 years of age may receive 2.5-5 mg every 4 hours or 7.5 mg every 6-8 hours, not to exceed 30 mg daily, or as directed by a clinician. Dosage in children younger than 2 years of age must be individualized. Suggested dosages for children younger than 2 years of age+ for some cough and cold preparations have been published in various references for prescribing and parenting. Using recommended dosages for adults and older children, some clinicians have extrapolated dosages for these preparations based on the weight or age of children younger than 2 years of age. However, these extrapolations were based on assumptions that pathology of the disease and pharmacology of the drugs are similar in adults and pediatric patients. There currently are no specific dosage recommendations (i.e., approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)) for cough and cold preparations for this patient population. (See Cautions: Pediatric Precautions.)

The usual dosage of dextromethorphan hydrobromide as the extended-release oral suspension containing the polistirex for adults and children 12 years of age or older is 60 mg twice daily. The usual dosage as the extended-release oral suspension for children 6 to younger than 12 years of age is 30 mg twice daily; children 2 to younger than 6 years of age may receive 15 mg twice daily.

Dosage of chlorpheniramine and dexchlorpheniramine should be individualized according to the patient's response and tolerance. Dosage of dexchlorpheniramine maleate is approximately 50% that of chlorpheniramine maleate.

Drug interactions

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Contraindications

*Known hypersensitivity to acetaminophen or any ingredient in the formulation.

*Severe hepatic impairment or severe active liver disease.

Adverse reactions

The most common adverse effects reported in clinical trials in >=5% of patients receiving IV acetaminophen were nausea, vomiting, headache, and insomnia in adults and nausea, vomiting, constipation, and pruritus in pediatric patients.

Common adverse effects associated with oral or rectal administration of acetaminophen include skin rash, hypersensitivity reactions, nephrotoxicity, and hematologic abnormalities (e.g., anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, and pancytopenia).

Precautions

No enhanced messaging available.

ICD codes

No ICD codes are available for this drug.

Formulary status

Search health-plan coverage for this drug by ZIP code.

Enter a ZIP code to view available health plans.

Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data