Drixoral

Drixoral is the US and Canadian brand name for a combination medication containing the antihistamine dexbrompheniramine maleate and the decongestant pseudoephedrine sulfate. It is manufactured by Schering-Plough and is used to treat symptoms associated with allergies and colds such as itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, nasal and sinus congestion, and sneezing. Because it contains pseudoephedrine, its purchase in the United States has been severely restricted by the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 over fears that any product containing pseudoephedrine can be used to make methamphetamine.^[1]

As of 2008, Drixoral has been removed from the US market by manufacturer Merck (formerly Schering-Plough). The company's updated website attributes "changing [their] manufacturing location" for the supply disruption and currently states "it is unlikely product will be available in 2010".^[2] However, the drug still appears to be available in Canada and overseas,^[3][4] and other drugs manufactured at the same location have not become unavailable. This has led some Drixoral users to speculate that there may be other explanations for why Drixoral is no longer available in the US market. One possible reason is that the company is reformulating the product to no longer contain pseudoephedrine. Another possibility is that the 35-year-old drug is being removed in favor of newer, more profitable antihistamines such as Claritin (also manufactured by Schering-Plough). Some Drixoral users have resorted to ordering the drug from Canadian online pharmacies.

References

1. ^ Payne, January W. (March 9, 2009). "Drixoral: Why the Allergy Medicine Isn't Available, and What to Use Instead" (html). U.S. News and World Report. http://www.usnews.com/health/managing-your-healthcare/allergy-and-asthma/articles/2009/03/09/drixoral-why-the-allergy-medicine-isnt-available-and-what-to-use-instead.html. Retrieved 2010-02-22. 
2. ^ "Products Currently Unavailable" (html). Merck. 2010. http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/d/drixoral.html. Retrieved 2010-05-18. 
3. ^ "Drixoral Canada" (html). Schering Plough. 2010. http://www.drixoralnodrip.ca/en/. Retrieved 2010-02-22. 
4. ^ "Buy Drixoral" (html). Canada Medicine Shop. 2010. http://www.canadamedicineshop.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.display/pn/Drixoral.head.cold.congestion.12.hour.relief/product_id/210.htm. Retrieved 2010-02-22.