AFRINOL vs NOVAFED

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 13, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. AFRINOL and NOVAFED are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

Attribute	AFRINOL	NOVAFED
Rating	New	70/100
Pharmacy pays	~$8.29 /30	~$8.29 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	PSEUDOEPHEDRINE SULFATE	PSEUDOEPHEDRINE HYDROCHLORIDE
Manufacturer	Schering Plough	Sanofi Aventis US
Dosage forms	Tablet, extended release	Capsule, extended release
Drug class	Alpha-Adrenergic Agonist	Alpha-Adrenergic Agonist
Boxed warning	None	None
Half-life	roughly 3 to 16 hours — the label does not give one number, because the elimination half-life depends on urine pH: about 3 to 6 hours when urine pH is 5 (acidic), and about 9 to 16 hours when urine pH is 8 (alkaline)	roughly 3 to 16 hours — the label does not give one number, because the elimination half-life depends on urine pH: about 3 to 6 hours when urine pH is 5 (acidic), and about 9 to 16 hours when urine pH is 8 (alkaline)
Treats	Asthma, Common Cold, Perennial Allergic Rhinitis	Asthma, Common Cold, Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

afrinol novafed

Rating

New

70/100

Pharmacy pays

~$8.29 /30

Type

Active ingredient

PSEUDOEPHEDRINE SULFATE

PSEUDOEPHEDRINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Manufacturer

Schering Plough

Sanofi Aventis US

Dosage forms

Tablet, extended release

Capsule, extended release

Drug class

Alpha-Adrenergic Agonist

Boxed warning

None

Half-life

roughly 3 to 16 hours — the label does not give one number, because the elimination half-life depends on urine pH: about 3 to 6 hours when urine pH is 5 (acidic), and about 9 to 16 hours when urine pH is 8 (alkaline)

Treats

Asthma, Common Cold, Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

Get novafedhigher-rated option

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Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper, Afrinol or Novafed?

Pharmacies pay about the same to acquire either one — roughly $8.29 for a 30-count supply, per the CMS NADAC survey. That is not what you will be charged: your price is set by your insurer and the pharmacy, not by what the drug cost them.

What is the difference between Afrinol and Novafed?

Afrinol contains Pseudoephedrine Sulfate, while Novafed contains Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.