Comprehensive medication guide to Triprolidine including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$20 copay when prescribed; Tier 1 generic on most commercial plans. OTC purchases typically not covered by insurance without a prescription. Coverage varies by plan.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$14–$27 retail for standalone triprolidine solutions; as low as $6.56–$17 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons for a 30-day supply of combination tablets.
Medfinder Findability Score
75/100
Summarize with AI
On this page
Triprolidine is a first-generation H1 antihistamine in the alkylamine chemical class, available over the counter in the United States. It has been used since the 1950s to relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis, hay fever, common cold, urticaria (hives), and allergic conjunctivitis. Triprolidine is not a controlled substance.
Triprolidine is available as a standalone oral solution (brand names: Histex, Histex PD Drops, Zymine) for both adult and pediatric use, and in combination with pseudoephedrine 60 mg (brand names: Aprodine, Aphedrid, Allerfrin, Genac) for simultaneous antihistamine and decongestant relief. The combination product was originally sold as Actifed, which reformulated in 2006 but whose original formula survives in generic form today.
Adults and children 12 and older take 2.5 mg every 4 to 6 hours, with a maximum of 10 mg per day. Children 6–11 take 1.25 mg per dose. Combination products (60 mg/2.5 mg tablets) are dosed as 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours for adults, maximum 4 tablets per day. Triprolidine is not recommended for children under 2 years old.
We have a 99% success rate finding medications, even during nationwide shortages.
Need this medication?
Triprolidine works as a competitive H1 receptor antagonist. When the immune system encounters allergens, it triggers the release of histamine — a chemical that binds to H1 receptors throughout the body, causing sneezing, itching, runny nose, and watery eyes. Triprolidine competes with histamine for these receptor binding sites, blocking histamine's effects and relieving allergy symptoms.
As a first-generation antihistamine, triprolidine readily crosses the blood-brain barrier, where it also blocks H1 receptors in the central nervous system. This CNS H1 blockade disrupts the normal wakefulness-promoting role of histamine in the brain, resulting in significant sedation — triprolidine's most notable side effect. It also possesses anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) properties, which account for side effects like dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, and constipation.
Triprolidine is rapidly absorbed after oral administration, reaching therapeutic concentrations within 30–60 minutes. Effects last 4–8 hours, requiring multiple daily doses. The drug has a plasma half-life of approximately 4 hours and is primarily metabolized by the liver.
2.5 mg — tablet
Standard adult dose; standalone triprolidine
60 mg/2.5 mg — tablet
Pseudoephedrine/triprolidine combination; behind pharmacy counter
0.938 mg/mL — oral solution
Pediatric oral solution (Histex PD Drops, Zymine)
30 mg/1.25 mg per 5 mL — syrup
Pseudoephedrine/triprolidine combination syrup
There is no active FDA shortage of triprolidine as of 2026. However, patients frequently report difficulty finding it due to two main structural factors. First, combination triprolidine/pseudoephedrine products must be sold from behind the pharmacy counter — not on open shelves — due to the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005. Many patients don't know to ask at the counter. Second, the reformulation of Actifed in 2006 removed triprolidine from the brand-name product many patients remember, causing confusion about whether the medication still exists.
Combination triprolidine/pseudoephedrine products are generally available at major chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Rite Aid) behind the counter. Standalone triprolidine oral solutions have more variable stocking and may need to be requested or ordered at some locations. Findability score: 75/100 — generally available, with minor stocking variability for standalone formulations.
If you're having trouble finding triprolidine at your local pharmacy, medfinder can call local pharmacies on your behalf to locate which ones have it in stock. Enter your medication, dose, and zip code — and we handle the searching for you.
Triprolidine is not a controlled substance, so it can be prescribed or recommended by any licensed healthcare provider. Most adult formulations are available OTC without a prescription. A prescription may be required for specific compounded formulations, for insurance billing, or for physician-directed pediatric dosing.
Primary Care Physicians (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine)
Allergists and Immunologists
Pediatricians
ENT (Otolaryngology) Specialists
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs)
Triprolidine is available via telehealth. Since it is not a controlled substance, there are no telehealth prescribing restrictions. Platforms like Teladoc, MDLive, and Amazon Clinic can evaluate allergy and cold symptoms virtually and send a prescription to your preferred pharmacy.
No. Triprolidine itself is not a DEA scheduled controlled substance. It is available over the counter for adults and children 6 years and older without a prescription.
However, combination products containing triprolidine and pseudoephedrine — such as Aprodine, Aphedrid, and Genac — require behind-the-counter placement at pharmacies under the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 (CMEA). Pseudoephedrine can be misused in methamphetamine production, so federal law requires customers to show valid government-issued photo ID, sign an electronic logbook, and purchase no more than 3.6 grams per day or 9 grams per 30-day period. Triprolidine/pseudoephedrine products do not require a prescription in most states, but you must go to the pharmacy counter to purchase them — they will not be on the open retail shelf.
Triprolidine commonly causes the following side effects, especially at the start of treatment:
Drowsiness / sedation (most common — do not drive or operate machinery)
Dry mouth, nose, and throat
Dizziness
Headache
Blurred vision
Nausea or stomach upset
Constipation
Decreased coordination
Severe allergic reaction: rash, hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat, difficulty breathing — call 911
Urinary retention — difficulty urinating; especially in men with BPH
Increased intraocular pressure — risk of glaucoma attack in susceptible patients
Paradoxical CNS excitation in children (hyperactivity, irritability instead of drowsiness)
Know what you need? Skip the search.
Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Second-generation antihistamine; once-daily, less sedating, widely available OTC, highly effective for allergic rhinitis
Loratadine (Claritin)
Second-generation antihistamine; once-daily, non-drowsy, minimal side effects, widely available OTC
Fexofenadine (Allegra)
Third-generation antihistamine; essentially non-sedating, once-daily, avoid fruit juices; good for daytime use
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
First-generation antihistamine; faster acting, more sedating, available everywhere OTC; good for acute or nighttime relief
Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton)
First-generation antihistamine; similar mechanism to triprolidine, more widely stocked, used in many OTC combination cold medications
Prefer Triprolidine? We can find it.
MAO Inhibitors (phenelzine, tranylcypromine, linezolid)
majorDangerous interaction — do not use together or within 14 days of MAOI; risk of hypertensive crisis and serotonin syndrome with pseudoephedrine combination
Alcohol
majorDramatically increases CNS depression and sedation; avoid all alcohol while taking triprolidine
Opioid analgesics (morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone)
majorAdditive CNS/respiratory depression; combination requires medical supervision
Benzodiazepines (alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam)
moderateAdditive CNS depression and respiratory depression; avoid unless medically supervised
Other antihistamines (diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine)
moderateAdditive sedation and anticholinergic effects; do not take two antihistamines simultaneously
Anticholinergic medications (oxybutynin, scopolamine)
moderateAdditive anticholinergic effects including urinary retention, dry mouth, constipation, and increased intraocular pressure
Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, nortriptyline)
moderateAdditive CNS depression and anticholinergic effects
Buprenorphine (Suboxone)
moderateCNS depressants may enhance buprenorphine's CNS depressant effects; monitor closely
Triprolidine remains a viable antihistamine option for patients who need short-term allergy or cold symptom relief, particularly in combination with pseudoephedrine for simultaneous antihistamine and decongestant action. While second-generation antihistamines are generally preferred for ongoing allergy management due to their once-daily dosing and lower sedation profile, triprolidine has a longstanding record of safety and efficacy for appropriate patients.
As of 2026, there is no active FDA shortage of triprolidine. The most common access challenge is patients not knowing to ask for it at the pharmacy counter (for pseudoephedrine combination products) or difficulty finding standalone triprolidine solutions at every pharmacy location. Both issues are solvable with the right information.
If you're struggling to find triprolidine at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can help by calling local pharmacies to verify which ones have your specific medication in stock. Enter your medication, dose, and zip code — and we'll text you results so you can skip the hold time.
Medfinder Editorial Standards
Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards