'A Patient Voice' Community

hello, H --

there are several formulations of alka-seltzer plus, and their active ingredients are slightly different (see PS). all of them except one, however, contain an antihistamine, many of which have drowsiness as a side effect --

-- alka-seltzer plus oral -- aspirin for pain/fever, chlorpheniramine for antihistamine, phenylephrine for nasal decongestant; http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-54990-Alka-Seltzer Plus Oral.aspx?drugid=54990&drugname=Alka-Seltzer Plus Oral&source=2 ;

-- alka-seltzer plus cold oral -- aspirin for pain/fever, chlorpheniramine for antihistamine, phenylephrine for nasal decongestant; http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-991-Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Oral.aspx?drugid=991&drugname=Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Oral&source=2 ;

-- alka-seltzer plus cold/cough oral -- acetaminophen for pain/fever, chlorpheniramine for antihistamine, dextromethorphan for cough suppressant, phenylephrine for nasal decongestant; http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-1901-Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold%2fCough Oral.aspx?drugid=1901&drugname=Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold%2fCough Oral&source=2 ;

-- alka-seltzer plus flu/body oral -- acetaminophen for pain/fever, chlorpheniramine for antihistamine, dextromethorphan for cough suppressant, phenylephrine for nasal decongestant; http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-1072-Alka-Seltzer Plus Flu%2fBody Oral.aspx?drugid=1072&drugname=Alka-Seltzer Plus Flu%2fBody Oral&source=2 ;

-- alka-seltzer plus night-time oral -- aspirin for pain/fever, dextromethorphan for cough suppressant, doxylamine for antihistamine, phenylephrine for nasal decongestant; http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-15316-Alka-Seltzer Plus Night-Time Oral.aspx?drugid=15316&drugname=Alka-Seltzer Plus Night-Time Oral&source=2 ; and

-- alka-seltzer plus sinus oral -- aspirin for pain/fever, phenylephrine for nasal decongestant; does not contain an antihistamine but does have drowsiness as a possible side effect; http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-15874-Alka-Seltzer Plus Sinus Oral.aspx?drugid=15874&drugname=Alka-Seltzer Plus Sinus Oral&source=2 .

one problem with using an alka-seltzer plus formulation for sleep is that its effectiveness may wear off in time so that it no longer works; a related problem is that after a while, you might not be able to sleep without it. in addition, both aspirin and acetaminophen are known to have stomach irritation and/or stomach bleeding as a possible side effect if used for an extended time. finally, various alka-seltzer plus formulations interact with many other meds; if you are taking other meds, you need to check on this (look under the tab "interactions" at each of the cites above).

you might also want to post this Q in the sleep disorders community, http://exchanges.webmd.com/sleep-disorders-exchange .

-- susie margaret

PS -- i am not a medical person; i welcome, solicit, and indeed beg for correction, amendment, or replacement of any inaccuracies in this post.