OTC product: Theraflu Thin Strips.

Theraflu Thin Strips Multi Symptom, Theraflu Thin Strips Long Acting Cough (Novartis Consumer Health, Inc.) Active ingredients (per strip): Multi Symptom: Diphenhydramine hydrochloride 25 mg; Long Acting Cough: Dextromethorphan hydrobromide 15 mg Indications: Multi Symptom: cough, sneezing, rhinitis, itchy nose, throat, or eyes in adults and children over age 12; Long Acting Cough: cough in adults and children over age 12 Availability: Boxes of 12 individually wrapped medicated cherry-flavored strips Discussion: The common cold and other viral upper respiratory infections are leading causes of physician visits, missed days of work and school, and nonprescription medication use.1,2 In the United States, an estimated 1 billion colds are experienced annually.2 Additionally, each year between 5% and 20% of the U.S. population suffers from influenza infection.3 Nonprescription medications used to treat cough and cold symptoms associated with upper respiratory infections are some of the most commonly used OTC products.4 Theraflu Thin Strips use innovative film strip technology that allows for convenient, portable dosage form delivery of cough and cold medications. Because this product melts on the tongue, an accurate dosage can be delivered without a beverage. Patients may find this product more palatable than nonprescription cough and cold medicines. Pharmacists should assist patients with selecting these products, as the dosage form is new, innovative, and may be somewhat unfamiliar to the user. Furthermore, those patients who are familiar with other Theraflu products that contain multiple active ingredients may not realize that the thin strips contain only one medication. Patient Information: ■ The dosage of Theraflu Thin Strips Multi Symptom (i.e., diphenhydramine) for adults and children 12 years and older is one strip dissolved on the tongue every 4 hours, not to exceed 6 strips in 24 hours. The dosage of Theraflu Thin Strips Long Acting Cough (i.e., dextromethorphan) for adults and children 12 years and older is two strips dissolved on the tongue every 6 to 8 hours, not to exceed 8 strips in 24 hours. ■ Theraflu Thin Strips Long Acting Cough should not be taken concurrently or within 2 weeks of monoamine oxidase inhibitors. ■ Theraflu Thin Strips Multi Symptom may cause excitability or agitation, particularly in some children or the elderly. The most common adverse effects with this product include drowsiness and sedation. These effects may be enhanced by alcohol and sedating medications. ■ As is the case with other products containing diphenhydramine, Theraflu Thin Strips Multi Symptom should not be used with any other products containing diphenhydramine, including topical formulations.5 ■ Patients should consult a physician before using Theraflu Thin Strip Multi Symptom if they have glaucoma, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or benign prostatic hyperplasia. ■ Refer patients to a physician if cough symptoms do not resolve after 7 days of treatment with either product. ■ Store products at room temperature (68°F–77°F), away from extremes of heat and cold. ■ Instruct patients to open the individual packets by folding along the dotted line and tearing at the slit, then peeling back the foil. Andrea S. Franks, PharmD, BCPS, is Assistant Professor, Departments of Pharmacy and Family Medicine, Colleges of Pharmacy and Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis.