Triprolidine, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antihistamine

Generic and brand names: triprolidine, oral; Actidil

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat and prevent allergies, including hay fever. Because this medicine may make you drowsy, it may also be prescribed to help you sleep.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant. Do not take this medicine during the last 3 months of pregnancy because it can harm the baby. Do not breast-feed while you are taking this medicine.

How do I use it?

Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes. Do not take more of it or take it more often than prescribed. Taking too much can make you very drowsy and can increase the risk of other side effects. Do not miss a dose. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.

You can buy some forms of this medicine without a prescription. Follow the directions on the package exactly.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. For this reason it may be best to take it at bedtime. This medicine may make you drowsy the day after you take it. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

Antihistamines increase the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down the nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your health care provider approves.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which may lead to painful sunburns. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen lotion when you need to be outdoors. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your health care provider right away.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your doctor right away): Tiredness, weakness, sore throat, fever, bleeding, bruising.

Other: Drowsiness, heavier phlegm, nausea, vomiting.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) (Do not take an MAO inhibitor and this medicine within 14 days of each other.)
• sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton) and flurazepam (Dalmane)
• tranquilizers such as diazepam (Valium) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium).

Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.