This article is about combination drugs and polypills as treatments. For two synergistic drugs chemically linked together, see codrug. For use of multiple separate and individual drugs for treatment, see polypharmacy.
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Fixed-dose combination drugs were initially developed to target a single disease, as with antiretroviral FDCsindicated for treating AIDS and HIV.[4] Combination drug treatment conceptually emphasizes simplified treatment plans, reduced pill burden and increased patient compliance by offering accessible and affordable ingredients, generally generic drugs with established therapeutic efficacy, and the ability to treat a variety of symptoms and conditions amongst a large patient population with varying treatment needs.
The combination drugs listed below are universally available by prescription only, but specific circumstances regarding a given combination's legal accessibility, or any specific regulation pertinent to ingredient quality, quantities, production standards, sourcing, etc. will vary by jurisdictions, and include:[5]
Coricidin by Bayer: cough medicine combining chlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan, with select formulas supplementing guaifenesin and acetaminophen is Coricidin Cold + Cough and Coricidin HBP High Blood Pressure[22]
aspirin, caffeine, and acetaminophen, Excedrin by Bayer[23]
Robitussin, a line of cough medicine encompassing various combinations including dextromethorphan, acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, doxylamine succinate, and/or guaifenesin
Temaril-P combines alimemazine (antitussive) and prednisolone (antipruritic), approved for use in dogs, generic drug since 2024, and substitutes alimemazine for trimeprazine, leaving in place prednisolone, equivalent to branded formula in efficacy
Tuinal by AbbVie: amobarbital/secobarbital double barbiturate combo, discontinued by manufacturer AbbVie in 2008 per widespread substance abuse and decrease in prescriptions.[33]
Phenephen by A.H. Robins: hyoscyamine sulfate, phenacetin, and aspirin; also available in a separate formulation as Phenephen with Codeine
Bontril Timed numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4: four different dosage combinations of dextroamphetamine and butabarbital. [citation needed][39]
Delcobese, racemic amphetamine molecule with each enantiomer bonded to sulfate and adipate, "withdrawn voluntarily in 1984, unrelated to safety or legal concerns"[40]
Daprisal tablet combined dextroamphetamine, amobarbital, and aspirin[citation needed]
Dexamyl tablet combined dextroamphetamine and amobarbital, discontinued 1982
Durophet was a racemic mixture of amphetamine salts combining combined 12.5mg amphetamine and 400mg methaqualone (sedative-hypnotic), discontinued 1984
Durabond, tablet combining 8mg chlorpheniramine tannate (first-generation antihistamine/FGA), 25mg pyrilamine tannate (first-generation antihistamine), and "10 mg Tanphetamin (racemic amphetamine tannate)" "General Practice American Academy(20)". 1959.
Obocell combined 5mg dextroamphetamine phosphate and 25mg methapyrilene phosphate (antihistamine); Obocell-TF was identical in composition with the addition of a high-viscosity methylcellulose supplement, also by Neisler and listed as "160mg Nitrin on the label)[43]
OboTan-S: formerly SynaTan-S[44][45][46]) combined 10mg dextroamphetamine tannate with 35mg secobarbital[47]
DuoDex, combination barbaloin (laxative),[48] dextroamphetamine (stimulant), pentobarbital (barbiturate), thyroid (hormone); The U.S. FDA declared in May 2002 that "aloin-containing laxatives are no longer GRAS [nor] effective for OTC use" upon the IARC classifying whole-leaf herbal extracts of aloe vera as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" due to presence of latex.
Phelantin combined 100mg phenytoin (anticonvulsant), 32mg pentobarbital, and 2.5mg methamphetamine[49]
Edrisal combined 160mg aspirin, 160mg phenacetin, 2.5mg amphetamine sulfate and Edrisal with Codeine added 160mg codeine[citation needed]
EthobralTriple-Barbiturate Tablets by Wyeth combined secobarbital, butabarbital, and phenobarbital[55][56]
Biphetamine, Obetrol, Oby-Rex: varying formulations by different manufacturers of mixed amphetamine salts. Biphetamine-T was timed[57][58][59][60]
ANOX (extended-release formulation marketed as ANOX Diacels) capsules combined 20mg each phenobarbital, butabarbital, and secobarbital with 7.5mg each methamphetamine hydrochloride and dextroamphetamine sulfate[61]
Justification of medical use
Most of the combination drugs which have been discontinued since the twentieth century were simultaneously indicated and utilized for treatment of various conditions, with medical use justified as part of a multifaceted, comprehensive approach to patient health care and medical treatment. Substituted amphetamines (stimulants) simultaneously functioned as appetite suppressant, antidepressant, and eugeroic agents, also increasing mental alertness and concentration and physical stamina, while a GABAergic depressant (e.g. a barbiturate, benzodiazepine, antipsychotic, or quinazolone) offered tranquilizing, muscle relaxant, sedative properties to ease overstimulation, paranoia, anxiety without eliminating the stimulant's therapeutic benefits. Patients are empowered with the capability of alleviating symptoms of multiple medical conditions with the ingestion of a single dosage form, reducing the patient's pill burden and consistently showing improved medication compliance scores. The American Association of Orthodontists asserts that fixed-dose combinations "limit clinicians' ability to customize dosing regimens."[62]
Scientists formulating combination drugs face challenges in the development stages of multi-drug formulations such as compatibility issues among active ingredients and excipients affecting solubility and dissolution.[63] For prescribers, if one constituent of the combination is contraindicated for a patient, the product cannot be prescribed.[64][65]
Limitations of polypharmacy for multi-faceted disorders
↑https://www.ebi.ac.uk/chebi/searchId.do?chebiId=8461 "The anti-emetic action of both the hydrochloride and the teoclate (8-chlorotheophylline) salts is used for the prevention of nausea in cases of motion sickness and post-operative vomiting."
↑Gilman, A.G., T.W. Rall, A.S. Nies and P. Taylor (eds.). Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 8th ed. New York, NY. Pergamon Press, 1990., p. 368
↑"Index to Volume V"(PDF). Journal of J.J. Group of Hospitals and Grant. 5 (N/A). Editorial Board of the Journal of J.J. Group of Hospitals & Grant Medical College: 94. 1960. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
↑Morgan, Mary (July 18, 1996). "New owner of former Fisons Corp. posts profit". Rochester Business Journal site (www.rbj.net). Rochester, NY: Rochester Business Journal. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
↑https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7289498/ National Institutes of Health -- Premonitory Urge phenomenon as a related to the compulsion to tic in obsessive-compulsive anxiety stemming from Tourette's
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