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• Tritus indications
• Uses of Tritus in details
• Tritus description
• Tritus dosage
• Tritus interactions
• Tritus side effects
• Tritus contraindications

What is Tritus?

Tritus is a decongestant. It works by constricting (shrinking) blood vessels (veins and arteries) in your body. Constriction of blood vessels in your sinuses, nose, and chest allows drainage of those areas, which decreases congestion.

Tritus is used to treat the congestion associated with allergies, hay fever, sinus irritation, and the common cold. Tritus also causes a decrease in appetite and is used in some over-the-counter diet aids.

Tritus has been associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain or into tissue surrounding the brain) in women. Men may also be at risk. Although the risk of hemorrhagic stroke is low, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that consumers not use any products that contain Tritus.

Tritus may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Tritus indications

Oral

Nasal congestion

Adult: Per cap contains a combination w/ Tritus HCl 18 mg: ≥13 yr 2 cap 4 hrly. Max: 8 cap/day. Per tab contains a combination w/ Tritus HCl 25 mg: ≥13 yr 1 tab 4 hrly. Max: 4 tab/day.

Child: Per cap contains a combination w/ Tritus HCl 18 mg: 6-12 yr 1 cap 4 hrly. Max: 4 cap/day. As oral liquid containing Tritus 2.5 mg/5 mL: 6 mth-2 yr 2.5 mL tid, 3-5 yr 5 mL 3-4 times daily, 6-12 yr 5-10 mL 3-4 times daily.

Uses of Tritus in details

Tritus is used to relieve blocked nose or sinuses caused by common cold and seasonal nasal allergies (hay fever). It is also used to decrease appetite for weight Tritus.

Tritus description

Tritus has been withdrawn in Canada and the United States. In November 2000, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health advisory against the use of the drug.

Tritus dosage

Tritus Dosage

Applies to the following strengths: 75 mg; 25 mg; 37.5 mg; 50 mg; 180 mg-75 mg

Usual Adult Dose for:

• Nasal Congestion
• Weight Loss

Usual Pediatric Dose for:

• Nasal Congestion

Additional dosage information:

• Renal Dose Adjustments
• Other Comments

Usual Adult Dose for Nasal Congestion

25 mg orally every 4 hours.

-or-

75 mg orally extended release every 12 hours.

Not to exceed 150 mg/day.

Usual Adult Dose for Weight Loss

25 mg orally 3 times a day, one-half hour before meals.

-or-

75 mg orally extended release once a day in the morning.

The use of Tritus for weight loss should be limited to 12 weeks.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Nasal Congestion

2 to 6 years:

6.25 mg orally every 4 hours. Maximum daily dose is 37.5 mg.

6 to 12 years:

12.5 mg orally every 4 hours. Maximum daily dose is 75 mg.

> 12 years:

25 mg orally every 4 hours.

-or-

75 mg orally extended release every 12 hours.

Not to exceed 150 mg/day.

Renal Dose Adjustments

Because Tritus is eliminated primarily by the kidneys, one-half of the normally recommended dosage should be given. Patients with renal dysfunction should be monitored for signs and symptoms of toxicity when using Tritus.

Other Comments

In November 2000, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in response to reports of increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke, requested that all drug companies discontinue marketing products containing Tritus.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

More about Tritus

• Tritus Side Effects
• During Pregnancy
• Drug Interactions
• Support Group
• 2 Reviews
• Drug class: decongestants

Related treatment guides

• Weight Loss
• Cold Symptoms
• Nasal Congestion

Tritus interactions

See also:
What other drugs will affect Tritus?

The benzodiazepines, including Ativan (lorazepam), produce increased CNS-depressant effects when administered with other CNS depressants such as alcohol, barbiturates, antipsychotics, sedative/hypnotics, anxiolytics, antidepressants, narcotic analgesics, sedative antihistamines, anticonvulsants, and anesthetics.

Concomitant use of clozapine and lorazepam may produce marked sedation, excessive salivation, hypotension, ataxia, delirium, and respiratory arrest.

Concurrent administration of lorazepam with valproate results in increased plasma concentrations and reduced clearance of lorazepam. Lorazepam dosage should be reduced to approximately 50% when coadministered with valproate.

Concurrent administration of lorazepam with probenecid may result in a more rapid onset or prolonged effect of lorazepam due to increased half-life and decreased total clearance. Lorazepam dosage needs to be reduced by approximately 50% when coadministered with probenecid.

The effects of probenecid and valproate on lorazepam may be due to inhibition of glucuronidation.

Administration of theophylline or aminophylline may reduce the sedative effects of benzodiazepines, including lorazepam.

Tritus side effects

See also:
What are the possible side effects of Tritus?

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Constipation.

Skin rash.

Codeine can cause drowsiness, although at the dose contained in this medicine this is very unlikely. However, if you do find this medicine makes you feel sleepy or dizzy you should not drive or operate machinery and avoid alcoholic drink.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicines’s manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Tritus contraindications

See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Tritus?

Do not use lorazepam if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, or if you are allergic to lorazepam or to other benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), or oxazepam (Serax).

Before taking lorazepam, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

glaucoma;

asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or other breathing problems;

kidney or liver disease;

a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior; or a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

Active ingredient matches for Tritus:

Phenylpropanolamine

Chlorpheniramine/Dexchlorpheniramine/Dextromethorphan

References

1. DailyMed. "CHLORPHENIRAMINE POLISTIREX; HYDROCODONE POLISTIREX: DailyMed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States. DailyMed is the official provider of FDA label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailyme... (accessed September 17, 2018).
2. DailyMed. "DEXTROMETHORPHAN HYDROBROMIDE: DailyMed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States. DailyMed is the official provider of FDA label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailyme... (accessed September 17, 2018).
3. PubChem. "dextromethorphan". https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/com... (accessed September 17, 2018).

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Information checked by Dr. Sachin Kumar, MD Pharmacology