3 years ago an ENT specialist prescribed Entex for my severe sinusitis. I use it on and off on a regular basis and it has helped tremendously in controlling the pain and congestion and has prevented me from using sick days. It seemed like a miracle drug. Now I find out it is no longer available. Help!! What can I get that would be equivalent and work as well?
Q: I was told by my pharmacist that Entex is no longer available. What would be a suitable substitute.
Answers (2)
8/29/08 2:09pm
Hi Barbara,
In researching this topic, I found that there are varying forms of Entex, and the different forms seem to have variations in ingredients. So, I'm not sure if all Entex was taken off the market or just one preparation.
According to Drugs.com, there are other alternatives, but I'm not sure if they are all still on the market. Still, you could ask your pharmacist to be sure. (By the way, your pharmacist is always a good source of information on this type of question.)
All of the different forms of Entex appear to have guaifenesin as one of the ingredients. It's an expectorant. It's the decongestant component that varies. One of the types of Entex, Entex PSE, has pseudoephedrine as its decongestant, so I wouldn't be surprised if that's the type you can no longer find. Many, if not all, pseudoephredrine products have been taken off the market because of abuse, including using it as an ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine.
Hope you can find an effective alternative.
To your health,
Kathi
1/15/09 6:41pm
I too have found that Entex is the only thing that works for me.
The standard form of Entex seems to have been removed as well as the form PSE. My pharmasist used to stock Ethex's 58177-0095-19.
http://www.ethex.com/pages/prod_page.asp?PRID=58177009519
That's no longer been manfactured. But you can still get Entex LA online. It's over the counter in Canada for example so it's not hard to find. It's the same mix as the Entex I was used to taking.
guaifenesin ....................400 mg
phenylephrine hydrochloride ... 30 mg
Note that Robitussin D Cough and Cold contains:
Active ingredients (in each 5 mL tsp)
Dextromethorphan HBr, USP 10 mg Cough suppressant
Guaifenesin, USP 100 mg Expectorant
Phenylephrine HCl, USP 5 mg
You can find Guaifenesin and Phenylephrine in many over-the-counter US medications.
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