why is drixoral not available?

Hi Ms. Hall,

Drixoral is a combination antihistamine / decongestant made by Schering-Plough. The antihistamine component is dexbrompheniramine (6mg) which may relieve symptoms of itching, sneezing and nasal drainage. Dexbrompheniramine is a first generation antihistamine which means there is a significant potential to cause drowsiness and fatigue. The decongestant component of Drixoral is of pseudoephedrine (120mg) which is maximum dose (per 12 hours).

I called a local Walgreen's pharmacist and visited a few medical websites in order to find the answer to your question. Drixoral is not available through Walgreens for unexplained reasons according to the pharmacist. One medical site (not Schering Co.) reported that distribution was halted, temporarily, to allow Schering to move the lab responsible for production of the drug to another site. I intend to ask a Schering pharmaceutical rep. about this.

I have spent several minutes trying to find equivalent allergy medications for patients when specific brands are discontinued. Your healthcare provider may be willing to do this for you. Print out the information above (ingredients and doses regarding Drixoral) and ask your doctor about similar brands that may be available. Some people get comparable results from chlorpheniramine or brompheniramine (in comparison to dexbrompheniramine).

Many of these older antihistamines are being outpaced by the newer generation, non-sedating brands (Claritin, Zyrtec and others). Market pressures are causing the disappearance of some of the first generation antihistamines.

Again, get advice from your doctor or pharmacist before trying a different antihistamine medication. The alternative drug may also cause sedation and fatigue. Drug interactions (with other medications you are taking) and other possible adverse effects should also be considered.

Good Luck!

J. Thompson, MD

Why is Drixoral unavailable?

Two CVS pharmacists were clueless, but I eventually confirmed with a knowledgable pharmacist who confirmed that Drixoral has been discontinued.  She could not recommend a comparable alternative.  I see it is available on the Web from Canada, but very expensive.  I've been using it for years, and it works really well.  Too bad

Drixoral is NOT discontinued! I just got off phone with the manufacturer and Drixoral will be available some time next year. They are in the process of moving the operation to another plant and that is the reason it is no longer available at this time.

The only thing that helps me when I have a cold is Drixoral.  A doctor recommended that I take it at the first sign of a cold...I can't find it anywhere.  Where can I get it?  Nothing helps like Drixoral!

I just spoke with Schering-Plough.  The manufacture of Drixoral is being moved to another plant in a different location, and this requires FDA approval in many aspects of the manufacture.  Drixoral is expected to be available again next year, but even those who work at Schering do not know when during 2009 this might happen.  They are also aware that the Canadian distributors or pharmacies are taking advantage of this crisis by raising prices.  The last time I bought Drixoral in the US, it was $12 - $15 per package of 20.  Two months ago, one Canadian pharmacy was charging $20 for the same size package, and now it is over $45 for the same thing!  If you call Schering-Plough, you can get on a mailing list to receive notification when Drixoral is getting ready to be released again in the US. 

It's interesting to note that if Drixoral is truly only off the market until the new processing plant is established, why is it so readily available in Canada?  If I was a wise businessman, and had a product that was very effective, I would want to get as much for it as I could.  Perhaps a good stategy for doing so would be to deplete the market in one area (U.S.A.), and make it readily available in another market (Canada), but jack the price up 400 to 600%..JMHO

I found another product. Lodrane 24D that had the same active ingredients as Drixoral, I just got a call from my allergist office, they had tried to prescribe it for me, it seems that product has been discountinued as well. 

These two products have different manufacturers, Drixoral is Schering-Plough, and Lodrane 24d is ECR Pharmaceuticals.

pseudoephedrine One of the active ingredients in Drixoral is pseudoephedrine sulphate.  This seems to be the difference with other drugs being compared to Drixoral,  they  have a very similiar ingredient pseudoephedrine HCI.  Could it be the secret that makes Drixoral so effective compared to say Sudafed, which also has pseudoephedrine, but pseudoephedrine HCI? 

Why is Drixoral not available anymore??????

The one poster has it right! Drixoral does have a "secret"  ingredient that makes it work while all others DO NOT!

I wonder why it is still available in Canada at rapist's prices too????

The good Doctor is ignorant! NOTHING else works but the ingredient in Drixoral! I have talked to several pharmacists who were willing to admit that fact! And they said it had been established in government Rea=search Reports too.

A local pharmacist told me it was to be reformulated removing the "evil" Pseudoephedrine.  His opinion was that the new formula won't be worth a darn.

Is this all being done because of the DEA's crazy restrictions on pseudoephedrine purchases?  Wished the goverment would get out of our lives!

I finally found the answer at the manufacturer.

they are changing sites.. it will be available again

probably the first of the year in the same formulation

this is the number for a very nice young lady to take

your name and address. they will let you know when its

available again.

1-800-317-2165

this is from the site

http://www.schering-plough.com/schering_plough/pc/chcproducts.html

karen

Drixoral is the only thing tha I have found to help me when I have sinus problems.  Whe  will it be available & why is it not available now?  Can I get it anywhere?

teenagers were melting it down to inhale. dea made you show drivers license and ask the druggiest for it. plus you were limited to a box of 12 and had to sign a formal paper. i agree with the others. my family has used it for years and it works. now, i am suffering. go figure.

i have no idea but it was the only item that took care my sinus and allergies.

Why id drixoral unavailable?

The 1 thing that ACTUALLY WORKS and does not make me drousy.

The thing that I have been taking my hole life, because it works better than ANYTHING THAT A DOCTOR CAN WRITE. I have tried at least 20 different types of over the counter and from a doctor.I am sick of gambling @ $5.00-$7.00 a pop.I have a shelf full of garbage.

They quit making it???????????????????????????????

Can somebody please re-think this stupidity.

I just called Scering-Plough and was told by their representitive that the lab responsible for manufacturing Drixoral is indeed being relocated. The representitive also informed me it may well be after 2009 before we see it again!

 DRIXORAL IS NOT BEING DISCONTINUED!

Schering-Plough:1-800-317-2165

Hope this is informative.

K. Livingston

Lodrane 24D is NOT discontinued.  I am an employee of ECR Pharmaceuticals, its manufacturer.  It is a prescription product.  If it is not currently stocked at your pharmacy, your pharmacist can order it quickly through their normal channels.

Lodrane 24D is a once-a-day antihistamine/decongestant.  Its active ingredients are brompheniramine and pseudoephedrine and it should provide relief very similar to Drixoral.

If you would like more information about the Lodrane family of products, visit our website at ecrpharma.com or email us at contactecr@ecrpharma.com.

I wanted to respond to Michael Kays regarding the unavailability of the allergy medicine, Lodrane 24D.  The product is prescription only and when my doctor prescribed it for me, the pharmacist did not have it, but told me that he could order it for me over night.  So, there was no issue in it not being available.  By the way, I used to take Drixoral and this Lodrane 24D does not make me as hyper as Drixoral did.  I take the Lodrane 24D just once a day and feel great after taking it.

DO NOT ORDER DRIXORAL FROM CanadaPharmacy.com!!! The first order I placed I received Drixoral as shown on the website, but when I placed a refill they send a product from Turkey - completely unacceptable.  The box is in Turkish and there is NO way to know what they sent.  Buy from them only if you can afford to throw money away.

I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings but I just got off the phone with a Shering-Plough representative and she said that they now don't see Drixoral being available in the U.S. until late 2009.  She also said that Canada's Drixoral is made by another manufacturer which is why it's still available but the price increases have nothing to do with Shering-Plough and don't come back to them in any way.  Bummer.

This is directly from the mfg website- maybe if enough of us complain, they will put it back on the market, I can't believe that something that worked so well, was removed.  Just goes to show that the almighty dollar is hard at work!

Drixoral® Cold and Allergy

We are in the process of changing our manufacturing location for our product. Although multiple solutions are being pursued, it is unlikely product will be available in 2009. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. We can offer several alternatives in the meantime.

Claritin® D-12
Claritin® D-24

We hope you will be patient with us during this period and thank you for supporting our product.

Contact Us

I've tried Claritin-D and didn't find it nearly as effective as drixoral. Luckily, I have a box of drixoral left over from last year.

I am a pharmacist and after reading all the questions and answers, I did a little research. There is Lodrane-24D and Lodrane-12D. They are both available from our wholesaler. There is a generic available for the 12D, but not the 24D. The combination of ingredients are brompheniramine and pseudoephedrine. This is the closest thing that I see to the Drixoral, which in my favorite anti-histamine/decongestant product.

I've used Drixoral for 40 years because it is the only product

that works for me. The next best substitute I have found is a

Rite-Aid generic called "Lorata-D" 24-hour allergy, 5 tablets

for 5 bucks, 15 for $13 and change. 

Because it contains pseudoephedrine.

I have Menierre's and Drixoral is the ONLY med that works on a daily basis. Schering is moving their plant, as others have posted, so that they may continue manufacturing Drixoral...currently I get it from canada, but their prices have soared with the unavailability in the States.

Hopefully next year it will again be available in the States, or at least less expensive from Canada.

The only other med that helps Menierre's is Transderm Scopalomine patch, also available in Canada.

Surprisingly, Dirxoral is off the market in the US but is readily available in Canada I bought some Drixoral from an online Canadian pharmacy and it shipped the same day!! That means it is in stock!! Also I received the package within 3 days. These guys have great customer service and will put you to ease regardingnay questions taht you might have about shipment. Check it out at:

http://www.trumedcanada.com/OTC/Drixoral.Dexbrompheniramine.cold.12.hour.relief.aspx

It works!! Kudos!!

Of course its available!! there are tons of online stores - the best being . http://trumedcanada.com/canada.drugs/drixoral.aspx. once you buy, pls come back here and confirm that it IS available - lets stop these rumours..

Cheers!

I called Schering a few months ago. I was advise that they were relocating the factory and that production had been temporarily suspended. I was assured that Drixoral would be back on the market "after the first of the year".

Because the ingredients are used to make meth some states require registration of all sales. They also limit quantities. 

I suspect that there is some truth to the manufacturing story. There is also truth to the meth DEA problem. I believe there is more that is not being said about this...I remember when this was a prescription medication and was really happy to get it OTC in the 1970s when generic drugs were starting to be bothersome to the drug companies. It was the strongest formulation of the med.

So if there was a way to get the OTC med back to prescription, it would increase revenue per dose, alleviate the DEA problem while increasing demand and everyone would be happier?

Brand Name(s)

Allegra-D

Zyrtec-D

Promethazine VC

Phenclor Tannate Pediatric

R-Tanna Pediatric

R-Tanna

Nalex-A

Bromfenex PD

Lodrane Liquid

Lodrane 12D

QDALL

Dytan-D

Dallergy-Jr

Chlorex-A

Andehist NR

 

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

 

http://www.pdrhealth.com/drugs/otc/otc-mono.aspx?contentFileName=DNX0079.xml&contentName=DRIXORAL&contentId=1811

 

I called the 800 number last summer and asked the same question.  Their customer service rep stated that the manufacturing plant was changing and Drixoral would not be available until 1/2009.  That is their "official" word!  They also stated that it would take them several months to set up production at a new plant.  Hope this helps!

Try Children's Dimetapp, it has the brompheniramine maleate antihistamine.  Unfortunately it also only contains phenylephrine decongestant instead of pseudoephedrine.  Not sure if other versions are behind the counter.

   As most peole on this thread I kinda freaked when I learned drixoral was no longer being made. Started using it when it was prescription. (A long time ago) I dont believe they have moved manufacturing and are just waiting to tool up. Makes no business sense....What does make sense is that the drug is 35 years old. The competition in allergy decongestants is fierce... Drixoral is retired I'll bet... The good news is I tried sudafed 12 Hr with the 125mg dose and it seems to work better. Drixoral always dried me out a little too much. It akso made certain things taste funny......

This is from drixorals manafacturers web-site about Drixoral (www.schering-plough.com/schering_plough/pc/chcproduct.html)  

Drixoral® Cold and Allergy

We are in the process of changing our manufacturing location for our product. Although multiple solutions are being pursued, it is unlikely product will be available in 2009. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. We can offer several alternatives in the meantime.

Claritin® D-12
Claritin® D-24

We hope you will be patient with us during this period and thank you for supporting our product.

Now I really wish they would just continue making Drixoral at the old factory which originally made the meds while they get all the proper authorizations to make it at the new location....Why is it when you find a great medication that works they stop making it?  I find it hard to believe that it would take this company about 2 years to start manafacturing this medication again at a new plant.  Makes me wonder why they really stopped making this wnder drug..In the meantime we all have to suffer and I guess wait and see if in 2010 they really start making it again.  I have still not found anything that works like Drixoral did!

I went to a half dozen different stores today looking for Drixoral.  Of those stores I talked to three pharmacist and neither one knew anything beyond the fact that it was no longer avaiable in their particular store.  This prompted me to go on line and look for an answer which lead me to this website as well as that of Schering-plough.  Now I know what is going on thanks to the info I found on the Schering-Plough site along with the comments posted on this site from all you fellow Drixoral users out there.  I look forward to the return of Drixoral, when ever that may be, and I hope it happens in my lifetime.  It's just to bad that Schering-Plough couldn't plan better.

Hey I have bought Drixoral several times from Canada and noticed like everyone else that the price sky-rocketed.  This last purchase, done in Jan 09, has still not been received.  I just got a letter from the FDA, Health and Human Services that this drug was unapproved.  I called the HHS number to speak with the MD that sent the letter but only got his vm.  The FDA listed that this drug appears to be a "new drug without an approved new drug application."  I ask, can we really be that inefficient?  No wonder we need bailouts and stimulus plans.

According to Schering-Plough, the manufacturer of Drixoral, the product is presently and only, temporarily unavailable until they complete the move of the manufacturing location for the product.

More information may be found by visiting their webpage which specifically refers to the move and the likely re-introduction of the product in 2010:

http://www.schering-plough.com/products/drixoral.aspx

Questions? or Comments:
1-800-317-2165
 
Hours of operation:
Monday through Friday from 8am - 5pm CST

Henry

Carol, Drixoral is being manufactured and packaged for Canadian distribution. The price is high, but I'd rather pay $40 for a box of Drixoral that works than $10 for something that doesn't. Even better: Taken early enough, Drixoral is the only OTC that prevents my seasonal allergies from turning into ear, nose and throat infections (saving me doctor visits, antibiotics, steroidal sprays, prescription antihistamines, discomfort and time). So, yes:

- the factory moved

- it continues to be sold in Canada

- for many high-priced Drixoral remains cheaper than the stated alternatives

Just a quick update. The FDA had approved a reformulation of the product back in 2005. I would think this might be related to the manufacturing move.

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm?fuseaction=Search.DrugDetails

Look under Drixoral and Approval History.

I have been using it since early 1970s. I was part of the clinical trial for children. There is nothing better. Once I heard it was not available I started to horde them. I now will try the Canadian route.

An update for you all:

Drixoral's manufacturer, Schering-Plough Corp., according to US News & World Report, "...stopped shipping Drixoral to pharmacies in April 2008 and doesn't expect to begin shipping the medication again until 2010 at the earliest."

Schering-Plough Corp. created a site about the Drixoral issue that you can see here.

Drixoral always helped me with a cold or allergies.  I have been sick since Saturday and nothing could touch it untll my mother talked to the pharmacist at Walmart.  She suggested CareOne non-drowsy Suphedrine 12-hour relief.  I took it this morning and it worked wonders. I feel the best I've felt in days. It worked just as good as Drixoral (for me anyway). It was $3.00 for 10 caplets,  I say give it a try. Hope this helps.

I, like the vast majority of posters, have been using Drixoral for years. I have tried others, but none have worked well. I also liked that I could get it in a 30pk for $10 at my local warehouse store.

I, too, have seen the info page on the manufacturer's web site. Being in the pharma biz formerly, I'm having an issue buying into the reasoning for its departure from the market. If there was a commitment to continue producing Drixoral, why stop production in the old plant while setting up production in the new plant unless they were required to shut down, there was an issue with the approval of the new plant or it was cost-prohibitive to continue in the old plant with the old formulation. Not that the manufacturer would ever lay out the entire picture, but I would not be surprised if never saw another one of those little green pills again.

In an attempt to find something else that does an acceptable job of relieving my symptoms and keeping the headaches at bay, I have been auditioning other drugs. However, the federal law that limits the sale of pseudoephedrine products to no more than 3.6 grams per person per day and limits an individual's purchases to 9 grams or less per 30 day period is making my tryouts a lengthy affair. To date, I have had good success with Zyrtec-D and Walgreen's generic Wal-Zyr D. Considering that both are 12-hr relief and both are a bit pricey, I don't consider either to be the long-term solution that Drixoral was. I will try the Rite-Aid generic Lorata-D when I exhaust my current stock.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

Arghh!

All the allergy formulas seem non-drowsy now, or at least much less drowsy than previous formulations.  Who the **** wants a non-drowsy formula at night?  I've got a cold and I need to sleep to get better, drixoral was the only thing that satisfied both needs.  Sleeping pills are worthless in comparison - they screw with my internal clock.  Drixoral never did.  I slept like a rock, alergy free, and all better in the morning.  Never found a substitute.

Arghh!

Does http://trumedcanada.com/canada.drugs/search.aspx?med=drixoral require a prescription?  I see a note on the page stating that all prescription products require a valid prescription be faxed, mailed, or emailed to them.  Ideas?  Thanks.

I hope the CEO, COO, & CFO all die a most painful and horrific death! 

My girlfriend has suffered continuously for not being able to get Drixoral.  It simply is the worst thing management of a company can do to remove a medicine which brings relief to those who truly need it just for the sake of profits, convenience, etc.

Rot in Hell!

HI! I truly don't know "why" it's not available, but I know I get really tired of finding formulas that work and having them yanked away!  Right now "they" are pulling my digestive enzymes from the shelves too.

Anyway, no more complaining!!    I found a website that sells name brand and generic Drixoral.  Same formula & affordable! 

www.NorthWestPharmacy.com/Drixoral

Good Luck!

I used drixoral for ear inbalance for over 25 years. It was the only thing that I could find that prevented it. About the time it was taken off the market the problem with the inbalance stopped but it was replaced with ringing in both ears. I learned later that the ringing was from long time use of an antihistmine which was Drixoral. The ringing, a form of Tentintus is consent and is horrable at times.Does anyone else have this problem as the result of taking Drixoral for a such a long time?

Just wanted to let you guys know you can order this from well.ca now.  Limited to 4 10 packs for shipping to the US but prices are reasonable. 

Went looking for Drixoral after all the posts. I am in the health profession and the story just doesn't cut it with me. No business takes this long to transfer a site of production unless they are outsourcing it to China or India. The most likely thing is that it fell out of patent/regulations of ephedrin or something like that and it was not cost effective so they are trying to pawn you off on their other med like Claritin. So probably the real truth is that due to our rules in the US, they take it off the market and try to sell the other things they make. 

In Canada it is different and a person can still get this OTC from the pharmacist so it still makes money in that market. 

It is really a shame that this and inhalants is something that they think they can play with while we suffer. This country and the health care and meds is screwed up.

Its all about money.

Just went on to the Shering Plough investor web site and clicked on poducts.

THEY DO NOT LIST DRIXORAL IN THEIR PRODUCT LIST. 

Hi! THis is a quote from the manufacturers website:

Drixoral® Cold and Allergy

We are in the process of changing our manufacturing location for our product. Although multiple solutions are being pursued, it is unlikely product will be available in 2009. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. We can offer several alternatives in the meantime.

Claritin® D-12
Claritin® D-24

We hope you will be patient with us during this period and thank you for supporting our product.

I too am one of those people that has tried every over the counter allergy med. there is (yes I have taken shots and got sick of going to get them,...and they are very expensive if you don't have insurance anymore).  And this is the ONLY one that actually works and does what it promises--and better than most prescription meds.  AND I never got drousy taking them.  I can't believe I can't find it anywhere!  So I too researched it and found that they will be coming back after 2009.  Although I heard a different story as to why--I heard they were reworking the formula.  Which worries me.  Anyway,..I was advised by a pharmacist that an alternative that may work to replace this temporarily is Zertec-D (she specifically said get the formula with the "D").  Claritin and many others just don't do it for me.  I'm heading to Walgreens to try it,...so we will see.  Sure hope it works as I am going nuts with my allergies right now!  

Of course. They're moving the site of its manufacture. That's why they've discontinued it's production for more than a year. It'll be back. Sure it will. All of these, of course, are bull*hit answers. Shearing, more likely, has killed it because it contains Pseudophedrine, which I'm able to buy at my local Kaiser location. Thank the DEA for putting this medication out of bounds. Because some guy can make Meth out of it, you can't get it to solved your sinus problems. God bless the U.S. government...again. Now can we talk again about legalizing marijuana (and abolishing the DEA)?

might wanna try a perscription for Tussall ER tablets which has the main ingrediant I've been missing in my allergy meds, dexbrompheniramine 6mg. If your doc will give them too you, I've found mine wants to try everything under the sun first but that.

and a sudafed 12 hr tablet which is 120 mg of psudophedrine.

same ingrediants just in two pills at least I'm hoping that's right.

shame about drixoral my mum has taken it since it was available for perscription in the 70's and I've taken since I've been old enough to take the stuff. nothing else works but that. my alergies are grass and juniper related so if I'm doing yard work I usually can get by with chlor-trimeton before hand, but durring cotton wood season I'm s.o.l.

I just called Sherring-Plough directly.  1-908-298-4000 and talked to the information center.  They told me that drixoral will be back on the market sometime this fall.  You can leave your name and address and they will mail you a notice when it is back on the market.  I would advise everyone who needs this product for allergy conditions to call and put your name on the list.  They need to see how many people are desperate for this product.  It is the only drug that works for me.  I have tried other products and nothing works like drixoral.  I can see from this site that we are all in agreement.  They say they are moving the plant that manufactures it.  I asked if they were going to change the formula and she said no.  I told her it is like taking away the cure for cancer.  I am suffering this year and I need relief for my itchy, watery eyes.      Make your call today so they can see how many people need this product!!!! 

I just ran out of my supply of Drixoral and could not locate it.  I really hope they return to market as this is the only pill that can dry me up and have me ready the next day.

I will contact the number too and asked to be notified.

YOU CAN GET IT IN CANADA!!!!!!!

Perhaps their lack of control over good manufacturing processes is what led to this.
Schering-Plough recalls Drixoral Cold & Allergy TABLETS REASON: cGMP Deviations (by mfr Actavis)

http://www.totalrecallinfo.com/freerecalls.php?id=8279

Looks like Actavis has a history of this for many years.
(Google search link using "Actavis cGMP Deviations")

http://tinyurl.com/q5gb3r

FWIW the Lodrane 12 & 24 hour D Tab is available (though you may have to push your pharmacy to source it).
The 12 hour tab works fairly well for about 8-10 hours for me but not as well as Drixoral for the tickle in my throat.

/30 year Drixoral user who would like to kick someone at Schering-Plough in their grandchildren.

I just called and found out that they are still not manufacturing drixoral as of today. Maybe will have the product for the 3rd quarter(whatever that means) so not expecting it untill next year. I hope they come back with it, these allergies are kicking my butt. Put my name on the list and keeping my fingers crossed.

to call 1-800-317-2165

I wanted to know what this prescription non specific drug my doctor prescribed, since I have severe post nasal drip, and they told me my prescription can be filled over the counter.  Well I said, check again, because I got something else last time.  Well I looked it up, and it appears to be a prescription for the same ingredients as drixoral (which I did use in the past).  for those who can get to a doctor, it is the generic, and not that bad if on a health plan or prescription plan.  The name of the medicine is:

p-ephed-cpm sr 120-8 mg   (at CVS) under that it has pseudoephedrine HCL/chlor-MAL.  It works, hope this helps some of you.

I just called Shering-Plough Corporation, the maker of Drixoral.  I was told they plan on having it back on the market by the end of this year.  The gentleman said they are working on getting it out the beginning of the 4th quarter (October) however it could be the end of the quarter(December).  I called (908) 595-3761 (you can check the Shering-Plough website for a local number) and was placed on the list to be notified when Drixoral is re-releaseed. Hope this makes you as happy as I am!

This is the ONLY thing that has worked for me for over 20 years -- have NOT found anything else that works even REMOTELY as well.  It used to be available only by prescription.  If there are so many problems with the meth makers and behind-the-counter hassles, they could always make it by prescription only again.  I would not mind calling my doctor to have the RX filled.  Is it possible that compounding  pharmacies could make up this combo?????

The only place I found Drixoral was trumedcanada.com. Best prices and they only ship out of Canada. I have been buying from them since last 12 months. They only sell Canadian make Drixoral. Till we have Drixoral back in USA.