Substitute For Drixoral (Page 4)
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Are any of the meds with same formula as Drixoral available anywhere? (Desihist SA, Dexaphen SA, Dexophed, Disobrom, Disophrol, Dixaphedrine, Drexophed SR, Drixomed, Drixoral, Duomine) Is the effect of Brompheniramine Maleate the same as Dexbrompheniramine Maleate? If so perhaps, Lodrane D-24 will work. Has anyone tried it yet? I'm fighting nausea, popping ears & wheezing while waiting for my pharmacy to get some. I'm so relieved to find I am not alone in only finding relief with Drixoral. Over the years, especially recently, I have tried others, but none do the job. Anyone having success with a substitute?

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76

this was the only pill that would work for me...
i ended up ordering a couple boxes from canada (where it is still available).

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75

Dear Junipersmom!

Good news! I've tried the Turkish-made apparent equivalent on two occasions just at the onset of the notorious symptoms of pre-headache, tightness in the nasal area and the incessant sniffles. IT WORKED! I suspect, however, that there may be a slight difference between Drixoral and Disophrol in the way they structure the layers to affect the time-relesae properties of the pill's ingredients. Drixoral, I think, has a fairly quickpacting ramp-up layer, followed by the fairly constant sustained action 12 hour release. Disophrol seems a little less agressive initially. However, the end result was entirely satisfactory. I've sent the package insert to someone who'll get it translated and I'll make it available to anyone who wants it via a email request. Sadly and unfortunately, I simply don't trust Schering-Plough to bring Drixoral back on the market in the same chemical configuration as it was.

There obviously was no sense of urgency or commutment to what seems to be a significant patient segment to even provide information to its distributors as to the reason for unavailability, etc. No company that relies on providing products that its customers use and are willing to pay for can afford to operate in what seems to be a haphazard, unresponsive manner. The story about relocating its manufacturing facilities just doesn't ring true.

It makes it sound like Schering is a mom-and-pop store with four full-time and 10 part-time employees working out of a strip mall in Fargo, North Dakota that suddenly lost its lease and are scrambling to find another store to set up a chemistry set in the back room.

Then there is the whole issue of the heavy, indiscriminate, usually wrong, but never in doubt heavy-handed role of the politically almost unresponsive inertia of federal bureaucracy. If the average citizen had even the smallest unkling of the extent to which the government acts like a mafia don running a protection racket, they'd spit nails. The government deals itself in on every business, uninvited, and it lays claim to around half of the businesses gross income before anyone gets paid or expenses get taken out. What's their role in this? we know that Drixoral is no longer a big seller for Schering, which means low margins, so it would be very easy for them to conclude its not worth it to have this new overhang of the crystal meth problem and all the fiat regulations that produced from the DEA. Any rational person would probably make the same decision.

I strongly suspect that the only way we're going to see Drixoral again available is for all of us to write impassioned pleas to the company for reconsideration.

They know very well how much they've been selling, so we can't invent a story about being a huge, unidentified market segment.

PJH

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74

Dear Pete H:

I just received my Drixoral substitute also. It's Disophrol and like you said, Schering-Plough made in Turkey. I am extremely hesitant to use - so when you have your results please post! *I'm frustrated with the pharmacy, it should have been made clear there was a product substitution occurring.*

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73

FYI:

I got a Drixoral substitute from a Canadian pharrmacy. The product is made by Schering-Plough in Turkey. The product name is Disophrol. The labeling and package insert are written in Turkish. However, the listing of the two active ingredients are discernable and they are the same as that in Drixoral. The pill is white, not green, but is shaped the same as Drixoral. The pills arrived just in time to deal with an obnoxious sinus headache. It seems to be working. I sure wish the Canadian pharmacies didn't jack up their prices as they have, but it's completely understandable: scarcity, whether real or designed, always produces price increases.

I have several friends who travel internationally quite often. I didn't have this product name to give them to search; now I will. I'll post the results of my experiments with Disophrol.

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72

I just called the number that was listed in the last reply as being for the CEO and got customer service. I was told that the expected market date has now been pushed back to sometime in 2010. But the lady I spoke with in customer service is 'sorry for the inconvenience'.

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71

Pete Hartwick
Schering-Plough says contact David Stidham at
(901)320-2130 this number was given to me by Betty per the ceo Mr. Hanson 908) 298-4000
these people are in administration at Schering-Plough. if you want answers contact them both.

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70

Thanks to all for your comments. I've been using it since 1972 when it was given by a AF flight surgeon. It was the ONLY such drug that he'd let me take and remain on flying status. It's hard to beleive that Schering would not make enough to supply its customers during a major manufacturing move. My cousin's husband is in the industry and used to work for Schering. When I told him what was going on, he commented that the company often made dumb marketing decisions. A note by Sinus Cold gives names/tel no's for Schering people. Does anyone know who tthey are? The patent has got to be expired by now; why can't someone else make the stuff? Obviously there's a market for it, since all of us here agree: NOTHING works like Drixoral.

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69

Drixoral is the only thing that works for me also, but I did find one other OTC that is almost as good: Aprodine. Yes, I've tried everything under the sun also, and this was the only thing that even came close. Hope this helps others as much as it did me until the factory comes back online!

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68

I was told by Schering-Plough to contact David Stidham at
(901)320-2130 this number was given to me by Betty per the ceo Mr. Hanson 908) 298-4000 I encourge everyone to call both number daily we need our medicine.

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67

I had no idea there were so many fellow sufferers out there! I have been taking Drixoral for about 30 years. I was told by a pharmacist that it was discontinued...I am glad to find out it will be available at some point in the future. I was buying it from Canada until it went up to $40 a box. Meanwhile, I am using Zirtec-D and getting sicker by the day. This is really unbelievable!!

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66

Drixoral is a phenomenal product. I have used it, as well as the other prescription versions, Drexophed SR and Disobrom, but those were unfortunately discontinued by their respective manufacturers. I've tried just about every product on the market at one time or another, but nothing has worked as well as Drixoral. I've been trying to figure out for the past 10 years why they no longer advertise the product. It is one of the best products that I have ever used. I've been using it since 1982. Their commercial used to advertise Drixoral as the pharmacist's choice, and it really was. The dexbrompheniramine component is unfortunately not available in any other OTC cold or allergy preparation in the U.S. Until the manufacturer decided they would move the facility and give up their market share to their competitors during the interim period (one of the dumber marketing strategies I have seen), I recommended it (I'm a pharmacist) to all of my customers suffering from allergy or cold related sinus conditions. My customers always came back and thanked me. I hope they bring it back soon. It would be a great money maker for them if they were smart enough to advertise it. It works significantly better than Claritin and those other non-drowsy antihistamines.

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65

Can anyone confirm the fact that Drixoral will resume distribution once a new Mfg location is found.

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64

I've been on Drixoral since I was 12 (now 27) and just finding an antihistamine that finally worked made a HUGE difference in my attitude and my family and I joked for years about my 'little green happy pills'. It's amazing what a difference not feeling bad made. But now I can't believe the trouble I'm having trying to get my doctor to put me on Lodrane. I went yesterday and explained the whole situation including the horrendous sinus headaches I'm having 3 times a week since I haven't had Drixoral and that I've tried basically every OTC on the market with no success. He told me that he doesn't agree with antihistamines like Drixoral that cause sleepiness (I never experienced this) and he decided to send me home with samples of Xyzal. Once I got it home I discovered it doesn't even contain a decongestant. I knew I was in trouble when he told me that my sinus headaches were actually migraines (which I have but I know the difference). His office was sooo helpful when I called back. They recommended I try ibuprofen and maybe Benadryl. Still waiting to hear back from the doctor and looking for a new doctor who HAS allergies.

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63

Very interesting that others, like me, have found only Drixoral effective for well over 20 years! I just ordered some from Canada, but hate having to pay so much!!! I think I might try Gene's suggestion until they arrive, and maybe use it as fillers in between. Then I can ration my Drixoral for days that I REALLY need it! It's a pity that they take away drugs that really work for honest and dependent users!

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62

I tried what Gene had suggested 10 mg of zertec with 120-240 mg of psuedoephrine. I took them before going to sleep last night. It made me very sleepy and my mouth was a little dry. I should have taken them earlier but it did work and I am feeling better. I also had some over the counter nose spray that helped me through the day at work. Thanks Gene

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61

I have contacted Schering-Plough (phone number available at their website). Drixoral is off the market until sometime in 2009 while they move to a new manufacturing site. They will take your name and address to send you a letter when it becomes available again.

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60

Downeastgrl , If you would of taken a wee bit more time to read down the list of replies.... you would of found out the answer on 'why' Drixoral is TEMPORALLY not available!
The company is MOVING and it will take at least one full year before Schering-Plough Corp. will be able to start making Drixoral again.
It really boggles my mind how stupid and totally thoughtless the CEO of Schering-Plough is!
The CEO's action or lack thereof to not have ordered a stockpile of at least a years worth of Drixoral to hold over it's faithful Drixoral customers is.....JUST SHAMEFUL!

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59

I have the same thing happen to me. Drixoral is the best allergy medication I have ever used. I had a bad attack this weekend so I asked my hubby to pick some up from Walmart. Guess what? There is none to be found at any of the pharmacys in the area. They say they cannot get any but do not have a reason. I only have one left and do not know what to do when this one is gone. I sing and will be in the studio this week. With the way my throat and sinus feels right now I may have to re-schedule unless I can get something else that will help.

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58

Try 10 mg of zertec with 120-240 mg of psuedoephrine. This combination provides me about 24 hours of relief.

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57

Sure glad I am not the only Drixoral advocate. My Dr recommended Drixoral to me in the 70's also and nothing, nothing works as well. Newer is not always better. It is a shame the Drug Manufacturers have the power to get rid of something that works for so many in favor of something new that costs more. Advertising! isn't it great?

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