Aquaphen

Aquaphen Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant as well as a bronchodilator for the upper respiratory tract, which gives symptomatic relief of nasal congestion. Pseudoephedrine is both an α-and β-adrenergic receptor agonist. It causes vasoconstriction via direct stimulation of α-adrenergic receptors of the respiratory mucosa. It also directly stimulates β-adrenergic receptors causing bronchial relaxation, increased heart rate and contractility.

Like ephedrine, pseudoephedrine releasing norepinephrine from its storage sites, an indirect effect. This is its main and direct mechanism of action. The displaced noradrenaline is released into the neuronal synapse where it is free to activate the postsynaptic adrenergic receptors.

Guaifenesin reduces the viscosity of tenacious sputum and is used as an expectorant. It increases the hydration of respiratory tract, thereby increasing the volume and reducing the viscosity of bronchial secretions.

Triprolidine is an antihistamine; it is used for the symptomatic relief of hypersensitivity reactions including rhinitis, conjunctivitis and urticaria.

Trade Name Aquaphen
Generic Pseudoephedrine + Guaiphenasine + Triprolidine
Weight (30mg+100mg+1.25mg) / 5ml
Type Syrup
Therapeutic Class Combined cough expectorants
Manufacturer Incepta Pharmaceuticals Limited
Available Country Bangladesh
Last Updated: September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am
Aquaphen
Aquaphen

How Aquaphen works

Pseudoephedrine acts mainly as an agonist of alpha adrenergic receptors and less strongly as an agonist of beta adrenergic receptors.[A10896] This agonism of adrenergic receptors produces vasoconstriction which is used as a decongestant and as a treatment of priapism. Pseudoephedrine is also an inhibitor of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin transporters.

The sympathomimetic effects of pseudoephedrine include an increase in mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and chronotropic response of the right atria. Pseudoephedrine is also a partial agonist of the anococcygeal muscle. Pseudoephedrine also inhibits NF-kappa-B, NFAT, and AP-1.

Triprolidine binds to the histamine H1 receptor. This blocks the action of endogenous histamine, which subsequently leads to temporary relief of the negative symptoms brought on by histamine.

Dosage

Aquaphen dosage

Adult and Children over 12 years: 10 ml (2 teaspoonful) three times a day.

Children 6-12 years: 5 ml (1 teaspoonful) three times a day.

Children 2-5 years: 2.5 ml (1/2 teaspoonful) three times a day.

A physician’s advice is preferred before administering this preparation to children aged less than 2 years.

Side Effects

CNS depression or excitation, drowsiness (reported most frequently), sleep disturbances, hallucinations (rarely reported), skin rashes with or without irritation, tachycardia, dryness of mouth, nose and throat have occasionally been reported.

Toxicity

The oral LD50 of pseudoephedrine is 2206mg/kg in rats and 726mg/kg in mice.

Patients experiencing an overdose of pseudoephedrine may present with giddiness, headache, nausea, vomiting, sweating, thirst, tachycardia, precordial pain, palpitations, difficulty urinating, muscle weakness, muscle tension, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, toxic psychosis, cardiac arrhythmias, circulatory collapse, convulsions, coma, and respiratory failure. Treat overdose with symptomatic and supportive treatment including removal of unabsorbed drug.

Symptoms of overdose include drowsiness, weakness, inco-ordination, difficulty with micturition, respiratory depression, hypotension, agitation, irritability, convulsions, hypertension, palpitation and tachycardia.

Precaution

As with any other antihistamine therapy, Pseudoephedrine, guaiphenasine & triprolidine may cause drowsiness. If affected, patients should be advised not to drive or operate machinery. Concomitant administration of alcohol or other centrally acting sedatives should be avoided. Although Pseudoephedrine has no pressor effects in normotensive patients but Pseudoephedrine, guaiphenasine & triprolidine should be used with caution to patients suffering from mild to moderate hypertension. Moreover, caution should also be exercised in the following disease conditions - hypertension and heart disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, elevated intra-ocular pressure, prostatic enlargement, severe renal and hepatic impairment. This preparation should not be used for persistent or chronic cough, which occurs with smoking, asthma or emphysema or where excessive secretions accompany cough, unless directed by a physician.

Interaction

Concomitant use of Pseudoephedrine, guaiphenasine & triprolidine with sympathomimetic agents such as decongestants, tricyclic antidepressants, appetite suppressants and amphetamine-like psychostimulants or with monoamine oxidase inhibitors which interfere with the catabolism of sympathomimetic amines may occasionally cause a rise in blood pressure. Because of its pseudoephedrine content, Pseudoephedrine, guaiphenasine & triprolidine partially reverse the hypotensive action of drugs which interfere with sympathetic activity including guanethidine, methyldopa, alpha-adrenergic blocking agents.

Volume of Distribution

The apparent volume of distribution of pseudoephedrin is 2.6-3.3L/kg.

Elimination Route

A 240mg oral dose of pseudoephedrine reaches a Cmax of 246.3±10.5ng/mL fed and 272.5±13.4ng/mL fasted, with a Tmax of 6.60±1.38h fed and 11.87±0.72h fasted, with an AUC of 6862.0±334.1ng*h/mL fed and 7535.1±333.0ng*h/mL fasted.

Rapidly absorbed in the intestinal tract.

Half Life

The mean elimination half life of pseudoephedrine is 6.0h.

4 to 6 hours.

Clearance

A 60mg oral dose of pseudoephedrine has a clearance of 5.9±1.7mL/min/kg.

Elimination Route

55-75% of an oral dose is detected in the urine as unchanged pseudoephedrine.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Although pseudoephedrine, triprolidine and guaiphenesin have been in widespread use of many years without apparent ill consequence, there are no specific data on their use during pregnancy. Caution should therefore be exercised by balancing the potential benefits of treatment of the mother against any possible hazards to the developing fetus.

Contraindication

This is contraindicated in the cases of known hypersensitivity to any of its constituents, cardiovascular disease including hypertension, lower respiratory symptoms including asthma, monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) therapy.

Acute Overdose

The effects of acute toxicity from Pseudoephedrine, guaiphenasine & triprolidine may include drowsiness, irritability, restlessness, lethargy, dizziness, gastrointestinal discomfort, respiratory depression, convulsion, tremor, tachycardia and hypertension. Incase of overdose, necessary measures should be taken to maintain and support respiration and control convulsion. Gastric lavage may be undertaken if indicated. Catheterization of bladder may be necessary.

Storage Condition

Store below 25° C. Protect from light. Do not refrigerate.

Innovators Monograph

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*** Taking medicines without doctor's advice can cause long-term problems.
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