Home Drug Guide Triprolidine Hydrochloride

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Triprolidine Hydrochloride

Brand Names Actidil, Myidyl

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihistamine, Alleviates allergy symptoms

Pharmacological: H1-antagonist

FDA Approved Indications

  • Relief of allergy symptoms such as hay fever, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, urticaria

Mechanism of Action

Triprolidine is a reversible H1 receptor antagonist that competes with histamine for binding at H1 receptor sites on effector cells in the GI tract, blood vessels, and respiratory tract, thereby preventing smooth muscle constriction and capillary permeability associated with allergic responses.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Usually 2-4 mg every 4-6 hours as needed, not exceeding 24 mg/day

Pediatric: Typically 0.25-0.5 mg/kg/day divided into 3-4 doses, not exceeding adult dose; specific pediatric dosing varies by age and weight

Geriatric: Start at the lower end of dosing; monitor for increased sensitivity to side effects

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; may require dose adjustment, as elimination may be affected

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; monitor closely; no specific adjustment established

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract

Distribution: Widely distributed; crosses the blood-brain barrier

Metabolism: Extensively metabolized in the liver

Excretion: Primarily excreted in urine

Half Life: Approx. 4-6 hours, may be prolonged in hepatic or renal impairment

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to triprolidine or other antihistamines
  • Use cautiously in asthma, glaucoma, urinary retention, and enlarged prostate

Precautions

  • Use with caution in elderly, sedated state, or impaired hepatic/renal function
  • Potential to cause drowsiness, so caution when operating machinery or driving

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Sedation, drowsiness (Common)
  • Dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Anticholinergic effects such as urinary retention, blurred vision, tachycardia (Uncommon)
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • CNS depressants (increase sedation)
  • MAO inhibitors (risk of antihistamine effects)

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for effectiveness and side effects, especially CNS effects and anticholinergic symptoms

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for sedation-related incidents
  • Urinary retention
  • Dry mucous membranes

Implementation: Administer with food if gastrointestinal upset occurs, monitor sedation levels

Evaluation: Assess symptom relief and side effect profile regularly

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Caution about drowsiness and avoid operating heavy machinery
  • Avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants
  • Report any unusual side effects or allergic reactions

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings: N/A

Genetic Factors: None specifically identified

Lab Test Interference: May interfere with allergy skin testing; discontinue prior to testing

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe drowsiness, hallucinations, seizures, dry mouth, tachycardia, urinary retention, hypotension

Treatment: Supportive care, activated charcoal if within 1 hour of ingestion, symptomatic treatment for respiratory and cardiovascular issues, possible IV fluids, and monitoring

Storage and Handling

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

Stability: Stable until expiration if stored properly

🛡️ 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.