Zephrex-D

Zephrex-D is a cold and allergy medication which is used for the temporary relief of [1] used to treat stuffy nose and sinus pain and/or pressure. It was developed by Westport Pharmaceuticals in and launched on the market in 2012. It has a synthetic deratitive which brings congestion relief, all while decreasing the chance illegal use in meth labs [2]

Uses
Zephrex-D comes in an individually-sealed pill form, and is usually given orally. Like many cold and sinus medications, it contains a Pseudoephedrine. Medication acts a sympathomimetic and vasoconstricts swollen nasal mucous membranes for temporary relief of stuffy nose.

Side Effects
Like most medications on the market, Zephrex-D, has side effects. Some of the side effects includes Nausea, vomiting, trouble sleeping, and dizziness [3]. Allergic reactions have been which include: tongue swelling, facial swelling, trouble breathing, rash. Rare, but serious side effects include irregular/fast heartbeat, and mental/mood swings [4].

Medication Interactions
Because Zephrex-D contains sympathomemitcs, it can cause a decrease in effectiveness with blood pressure medications (beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, etc.) [5]. Zephrex-D’s prescription Is contraindicated with any recent use of MAO Inhibitors, which may cause violent mood swings. In rare cases, it may be fatal.

Medication Contraindications
Zephrex-D should not be used during pregnancy. Pseudoephedrine, the active ingredient in Zephrex-D passes into the breast milk, and it is contraindicated in birthing breast-feeding mothers [6]. Alcohol consumptions is not recommended prior, during, or after medication has been ingested. Medication shouldn’t be prescribed to children under the age of 6-years-old [7]. No more than 4 pills in a 24 hour period should be taken.

Other Ingredients
Inactive ingredients includes: Guar gum, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyethylene glycol, and xanthan gum [8].

Zephrex-D In The News
Zephrex-D’s developer, Westport Pharmaceuticals, synthesized the so-called “Anti-meth” medication to reduce its use in illicit manufacturing of the powerful and highly addictive drug Crystal Meth. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) originally reported that it would like to see Zephrex-D being sold over the counter, when It originally launched in early 2013 [9]. In May 2013, the DEA retracted their original statement about wanting to see the medication sold over-the-counter, after conclusive evidence that the production of meth was still possible [10]. While the medication’s manufacturer continued to stand by its “Anti-tamper” properties, in September 2013, the Drug Enforcement Agency came to conclusion that over-the-counter distribution of the medication is deemed unsafe and to subject it to same rules which other pseudoephedrine drugs included in. Because government chemists were able to produce Crystal Meth from Zephrex-D, it was mandated that it should be a prescription medication only, under the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 [11]. Almost one year after Zephrex-D’s launch, the DEA had come to conclusion that it would be sold behind the counter. Under law, in order to purchase the medication, the subject must show identification, and be under a “strict daily and monthly amount” are tracked [12].