Rinurel® was used to treat common cold in children and adults. The product had decongestant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It was useful also to treat allergic rhinitis. The drug contained 4 actives principles : phenyltoloxamine citrate (22 mg) phenylpropanolamine chlorhydrate (25 mg), paracetamol (150 mg), phenacetine (150 mg, per tablet).
Phenyltoloxamine is an antihistamine with sedative and analgesic effects. It is often used in combination with paracetamol (acetaminophen) to combat backache, muscle strains and similar conditions. Phenylpropanolamine (PPA), better known as D,L-norephedrine, is a sympathomimetic amine used as a decongestant (and also as an appetite suppresser). The combination of the different active ingredients showed marked analgesic and antipyretic properties, due to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. The drug (tablets) was mostly used to treat headache, migraine, toothache, neuralgia, myalgia, algomenorrhea, and different inflammatory symptoms. It was essentially used to treat nasal congestion (associated with rhinitis). Phenylpropanolamine has been withdrawn from the market in the early 2000s, due to the identification of an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke in women.
