Benadryl plus

How does it work?

Benadryl plus capsules contain two active ingredients, acrivastine (a non-sedating antihistamine), and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (a nasal decongestant).

Acrivastine controls allergies by blocking the action of histamine. Histamine is a substance produced by the body as part of its defence mechanisms. It is stored in cells called mast cells, in almost all tissues of the body. When the body reacts to a foreign substance (known as an allergen, eg flower pollen), the mast cells stimulated by the allergen release their stores of histamine.

The released histamine then binds to its receptors (H-1 receptors), causing a chain reaction that results in allergic symptoms. It causes an increase in blood flow to the area of the allergy, and the release of other chemicals that add to the allergic response. All this results in the symptoms of an allergic reaction. In allergic rhinitis (hayfever, pet and dust allergies and so on) histamine causes inflammation of the nose, eyes, skin or airways and results in itchy watery eyes, a runny nose, sneezing and nasal congestion.

Acrivastine controls the allergy by blocking histamine receptors. It does not prevent the actual release of histamine from mast cells, but prevents it binding to its receptors. This in turn prevents the release of other allergy chemicals and increased blood supply to the area, and provides relief from the typical symptoms of hayfever and other nasal allergies.

Acrivastine is called a non-sedating antihistamine, as it does not enter the brain in significant quantities and so is unlikely to cause drowsiness. However, people react differently to medicines and extremely rarely some people may experience some drowsiness.

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that works by stimulating receptors on the blood vessels in the lining of the nose and sinuses. These receptors are known as alpha receptors. When stimulated by pseudoephedrine they cause the blood vessels to narrow. This decreases the amount of fluid that can travel through these blood vessels and means that less fluid is pushed out into the linings of the nose and sinuses. This reduces the production of mucous, and relieves a blocked nose (nasal congestion) caused by the allergic reaction.

What is it used for?

Inflammation of the nasal lining due to allergies

Warning!

In the extremely unlikely event that this medicine causes drowsiness, the effect may be made worse by consuming alcohol or taking any medicines that do cause drowsiness. You should take care driving or operating machinary until you are familar with your response to this medicine.

If you are due to have any skin prick tests to diagnose allergies you should stop taking your antihistamines at least 48 hours before the tests. This is because antihistamines can prevent or lessen the skin reactions that indicate an allergy, and so can make the test results unreliable.

If symptoms persist despite treatment, seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

Use with caution in

High blood pressure

Heart disease

Diabetes

Overactive thyroid gland

Enlarged prostate

Raised pressure within the eye ball, eg glaucoma

Not to be used in

Children under 12 years of age

Elderly people

Allergy to the antihistamine triprolidine

Very high blood pressure

Severe coronary artery (heart) disease

Significantly decreased kidney function

People who have taken a type of medicine called a monoamine-oxidase inhibitor (MAOI - see end of factsheet for examples) in the last 14 days.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor, and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the foetus. As with all medicines, you should seek medical advice from your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant.

Pseudoephedrine passes into breast milk in small amounts. The effect on a nursing baby is not known. It is not known if acrivastine passes into breast milk. As with all medicines, you should seek medical advice from your doctor before taking this medicine if you are breastfeeding.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Disturbed sleep

Skin rashes

Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention)

False perceptions of things that are not really there (hallucinations - rarely)

Drowsiness (extremely rarely)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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