acrivastine + pseudoephedrine hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
H1-antihistamine combined with a systemic sympathomimetic decongestant.
Licensed use
Symptomatic relief of allergic rhinitis, including congestion.
Administration
Capsules for oral use.
Age restrictions
The selected product is not recommended for children under 12 or older people.
Alertness
Drowsiness or dizziness can occur; do not drive, cycle or operate machinery if affected.
What is acrivastine + pseudoephedrine hydrochloride used for?
The selected product is licensed for symptomatic relief of allergic rhinitis. Acrivastine targets sneezing, a runny nose and watery eyes, while pseudoephedrine targets associated nasal and sinus congestion.
Allergic rhinitis with nasal congestion
Hay-fever symptoms where congestion accompanies the allergic symptoms
How does acrivastine + pseudoephedrine hydrochloride work?
Acrivastine competitively blocks histamine H1 receptors, reducing histamine-driven allergy symptoms. Pseudoephedrine has direct and indirect sympathomimetic activity that constricts swollen blood vessels in the nasal lining, helping open congested nasal passages.
How to take acrivastine + pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
Take the capsule by mouth and follow the instructions supplied with the product. Avoid alcohol and grapefruit juice. Because drowsiness and dizziness are possible, do not drive, cycle or use machinery if affected.
For oral use only.
Do not combine it with another decongestant or cough-and-cold product without checking the ingredients with a pharmacist.
Seek advice if symptoms persist or worsen.
acrivastine + pseudoephedrine hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Nervousness or restlessness
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
Get urgent medical advice
- Sudden severe headache, vomiting, confusion, seizures or visual disturbance—possible PRES or RCVS
- Fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain or stroke symptoms
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial or throat swelling or breathing difficulty
- Sudden fever with widespread skin redness and pustules
- Sudden abdominal pain or rectal bleeding—possible ischaemic colitis
- Sudden loss or reduction of vision
- Difficulty passing urine
acrivastine + pseudoephedrine hydrochloride in pregnancy
This combination is not generally recommended during pregnancy. Information about acrivastine is limited, while pseudoephedrine can reduce placental blood flow; a doctor or pharmacist should recommend a better-studied alternative where appropriate.
acrivastine + pseudoephedrine hydrochloride while breastfeeding
This combination is generally not recommended while breastfeeding because pseudoephedrine may reduce milk production and evidence about infant exposure is limited. Although acrivastine alone can sometimes be used cautiously, other antihistamines and non-oral approaches may be preferred; seek professional advice.
acrivastine + pseudoephedrine hydrochloride interactions
Check all prescribed, pharmacy and cold-and-flu products before use because clinically important interactions can arise from pseudoephedrine or acrivastine.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, including recent use
The combination can cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure or hypertensive crisis and is contraindicated during treatment and for 14 days afterwards.
Beta blockers
Use is contraindicated; pseudoephedrine may oppose blood-pressure control and increase cardiovascular effects.
Other sympathomimetic decongestants
Concurrent use is contraindicated because additive cardiovascular and nervous-system effects may occur.
Common questions about acrivastine + pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is acrivastine + pseudoephedrine hydrochloride used for?
The selected product is licensed to relieve allergic rhinitis symptoms, particularly when sneezing, a runny nose or watery eyes occur with nasal congestion.
Is it licensed for colds or flu?
Not for the selected product: its licensed indication is symptomatic relief of allergic rhinitis.
Can it make me sleepy?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.