So, it is common to get a cold and cough during the rainy season. It is very annoying when you have a stuffy nose, sneeze frequently, and cough continuously. So, at times like these, many of us visit a doctor and take medicine. Among these medicines, there are syrups that are often given and made by combining several ingredients. Today, we are talking about one such commonly used medicine.
What exactly is this medicine?
Simply put, it is a combination of three medications. That means there are three ingredients in the same syrup, each of which does different things. 1.
Chlorpheniramine : This is
an antihistamine . It works by controlling the chemical histamine in your body, reducing sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose. 2.
Dextromethorphan : This is
a cough suppressant . It works by affecting the cough center in the brain, reducing the painful, dry cough that often occurs. 3.
Pseudoephedrine: This is
a decongestant . It works by constricting the blood vessels inside the nose, relieving nasal congestion and making it easier to breathe.
It's important to note that this medicine only controls your symptoms. That means it reduces things like cough, runny nose , and stuffy nose . It doesn't kill the virus or bacteria that caused these symptoms.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before your doctor prescribes this medication, it is essential to have a complete history of your health condition. This medication may interact with certain medical conditions. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below,
be sure to tell your doctor about it. | Do you have these conditions? | Why should you inform? |
|---|
| High Blood Pressure | Pseudoephedrine can further increase blood pressure. |
| Heart Disease | The heart rate may increase or become irregular. |
| Diabetes | May affect blood sugar levels. |
| Glaucoma | Eye pressure may increase. |
| Thyroid Disease | Symptoms may worsen. |
| Asthma or other lung diseases (Asthma, COPD) | Breathing difficulties may occur. |
| Prostate Disease | There may be difficulty urinating. |
| Kidney Disease | Side effects may increase as the medication takes longer to leave the body. |
| Taking MAOI-type medications (for mental illness) | These medications should never be taken together as they can cause very severe reactions. |
Also, tell your doctor
if you are pregnant ,
nursing , or have
any allergies to any other medications or foods .
How should I use the medicine?
Be aware of these points when using this medicine.
- Correct dosage: Take the amount prescribed by your doctor, at the prescribed time. Read the instructions on the label carefully.
- Correct measurement:Use only the measuring cup, oral syringe, or dropper that comes with the medicine. Do not measure with teaspoons or tablespoons found in the kitchen. They are not accurate.
- When giving to children: It is generally not recommended to give these types of medications to children under 6 years of age. Even when giving them to children over 6 years of age, it is very important to follow the doctor's instructions.
- Elderly: People over 65 years of age may experience more drowsiness and dizziness from this medication, so they may need a lower dose.
Warning: If you take too much medicine...
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Do not take this lightly.
This medicine is for you only. Never give your medicine to anyone else.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Some medications can cause severe reactions when taken together with this syrup. Therefore, if you are taking the following medications, taking this syrup
is completely prohibited.- MAOI medications: Drugs used for depression such as Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate.
- Ergot alkaloids (some medications used for migraines).
- Ozanimod .
Additionally, this syrup can interact with other medications. This means that the effectiveness of one medication may be altered by another.
- Alcohol
- Medication for depression or sleep
- Medicines for other allergies or coughs and colds
- Some blood pressure medications
- Medicines for seizures
- Medications given to induce sleep during surgery
This list is not complete. Therefore, tell your doctor
about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal products) .
Things to consider when taking medication
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medication may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
- Changing positions:You may feel dizzy when you suddenly stand up from a sitting position or when you suddenly stand up from a lying position. So change your position.
- Alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol can make you feel sleepy and increase side effects.
- Dry mouth: Dry mouth is common. Drink plenty of water for this. Chewing sugar-free gum can also help.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Understand them from the table below.
Things to tell your doctor if side effects persist or are bothersome, which require immediate medical attention
| Allergic reactions (skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue) | Serotonin Syndrome (restlessness, confusion, diarrhea, rapid heartbeat, muscle twitching, difficulty walking, excessive sweating, fever) |
| Increased blood pressure | Seizures |
| Difficulty urinating |
| Anxious | Dizziness |
| Dry Mouth | Trouble sleeping |
| Unusual tiredness or weakness |
How should you store your medicine?
- Keep away from children and pets.
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Throw away expired medicine. If you are unsure about the correct way to dispose of it, ask your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- This medicine only controls your symptoms (cough, cold), not the cause of the disease.
- Before taking the medicine, tell your doctor about all medical conditions you have and all other medications you are taking.
- Use only the correct measuring device that comes with the medication to measure it.
- Avoid driving as drowsiness may occur after taking the medicine.
- If a severe side effect occurs, seek medical advice immediately.
- If you suspect an overdose, go to the National Poisons Information Center or a hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
Cough, Cold, Allergy, Syrup, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Pseudoephedrine, Side Effects
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