Home Drug Guide Tripelennamine Citrate

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Tripelennamine Citrate

Brand Names Pbz

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihistamine, H1 receptor antagonist

Pharmacological: First-generation antihistamine

FDA Approved Indications

  • Relief of allergy symptoms (nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes)

Mechanism of Action

Tripelennamine blocks H1 histamine receptors, preventing the actions of histamine and thus alleviating allergic symptoms.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically, 25-50 mg every 4-6 hours as needed. Max dose depends on clinical response.

Pediatric: Dose varies; generally 1-2 mg/kg per dose every 4-6 hours, with careful monitoring.

Geriatric: Start with lower doses due to increased sensitivity and potential for anticholinergic effects.

Renal Impairment: Adjust dose based on severity of impairment.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; no specific dosage adjustments established.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed from gastrointestinal tract.

Distribution: Widely distributed; crosses blood-brain barrier.

Metabolism: Metabolized in the liver.

Excretion: Excreted mainly in urine.

Half Life: Approximately 4-6 hours.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to tripelennamine or other antihistamines.
  • Acute asthma attacks.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma, urinary retention, enlarged prostate, cardiovascular disease, or elderly patients due to anticholinergic effects.
  • Pregnancy category C; use only if clearly necessary.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Sedation, drowsiness (Common)
  • Anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention) (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Cardiovascular effects (tachycardia, hypotension) (Less common)
  • Allergic reactions (rash, urticaria) (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Additive sedative effects with other CNS depressants (alcohol, hypnotics).
  • Enhanced anticholinergic effects with other anticholinergic drugs.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for sedation, anticholinergic side effects, and effectiveness in symptom control.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for falls due to sedation or anticholinergic effects.
  • Impaired comfort due to allergy symptoms.

Implementation: Administer as directed, caution with operating machinery or driving.

Evaluation: Assess relief of allergy symptoms and monitor for adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Advise about sedative effects, caution when driving or operating machinery.
  • Instruct to avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants.
  • Report any severe side effects or allergic reactions.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None specified.

Genetic Factors: No well-established genetic factors affecting response.

Lab Test Interference: None.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe anticholinergic symptoms, hallucinations, seizures, coma.

Treatment: Supportive care; activated charcoal if ingestion recent; IV fluids; manage symptoms with benzodiazepines if seizures occur.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture and light.

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.