When you get a cold, it's really hard on your body, isn't it? You get a headache, your body aches, your nose is blocked, you have a runny nose, and on top of that, you have a cough. So, instead of taking all these medicines one by one, you might think that it would be easier to take one pill, especially one that you dissolve in water, to cure all of these. There are many such medicines in pharmacies. But do we know what medicines are actually added to this one pill? Let's talk about this today.
What is actually in these medications?
Simply put, these are "combination" medications. This means that several medications are combined into one pill to treat multiple symptoms of the common cold. Typically, these types of medications contain these things.
| Type of medicine | What happens to it? |
|---|---|
| Acetaminophen | This is the same paracetamol we all know. It helps reduce fever and body aches. |
| Chlorpheniramine | This is an antihistamine. It controls things like runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes. However, it can cause some drowsiness and drowsiness. |
| Dextromethorphan (Dextromethorphan - DM) | This is a cough suppressant. It is especially useful for dry coughs without phlegm. |
| Phenylephrine | This is a type of decongestant, which means it reduces nasal congestion and makes breathing easier. |
The important thing is that these medications only control symptoms. They cannot cure a viral or bacterial infection in your body.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before taking a medicine like this from a pharmacy, you should definitely talk to your doctor if you have any of the following health conditions, as some of the ingredients in these medicines may interact with those conditions.
- Other illnesses you have:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disease
- Liver disease
- Glaucoma
- Asthma or a cough with excessive mucus
- Difficulty urinating (e.g., enlarged prostate)
- Things related to your lifestyle:
- If you are a regular drinker.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother.
- Other medications:
- If you have taken an MAOI (e.g., Carbex, Marplan, Nardil) for depression or another condition within the past 14 days.
- Allergies:
- If you are allergic to any of the ingredients in this medicine (acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, etc.) or to other medicines, foods, or dyes.
Don't hide these things from the doctor. It's very important for your safety.
How do you use the medicine and what to do if you take too much?
This medicine should be used exactly as directed on the package. Usually, one tablet of this type should be dissolved in a glass of water (about 4 ounces) and drunk after dissolving thoroughly. Take only the prescribed dose at the prescribed time. Never take more than the prescribed dose in the hope of "getting better quickly."
If giving this medicine to children under 12 years of age, be sure to consult a pediatrician.
What if I drink too much by mistake? (Overdosage)
If you think you have taken too much medicine, even if you have no symptoms, do not ignore it. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Acetaminophen (paracetamol) overdose is very dangerous for the liver.
Other things you should not take with this medicine (Interactions)
When using this medicine, it may interact with some other medicines and things. So be aware of these things as well.
- Never take together: MAOI medications, cocaine, some migraine medications such as ergotamine, and stimulant medications such as dextroamphetamine.
- Things to be careful of:
- Alcohol
- Other medications that cause drowsiness (medications for anxiety, insomnia)
- Other cold, cough, and allergy medications
- Other medicines containing paracetamol (Acetaminophen)
- Some blood pressure medications
- Other specific medications such as Imatinib and Isoniazid
This is the most important thing: Tell your doctor about all the medications you take (including vitamins, traditional medicines, and herbal products). This will help you avoid unnecessary problems.
Things to consider when taking medication
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not get up suddenly from a sitting position, especially if you are elderly.
- Avoid alcohol: Drinking alcohol can increase drowsiness and may affect the effectiveness of the medication.
- Be careful with paracetamol: this is very important.
- When to see a doctor:
- If your pain, nasal congestion, or cough does not improve or worsens after 7 days.
- If you have a fever for more than 3 days.
- If the cough is accompanied by fever, skin rash, headache, nausea, or vomiting.
- Allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching, hives, etc.
- Swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- Chest pain or tightness
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness, severe restlessness, or insomnia
- Difficulty urinating or a change in the amount of urine you produce
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin (Jaundice)
- Unusual fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth and eyes
- Appetite
- Stomach discomfort
- This type of medication is a combination of several medications, so it's important to know what you're taking.
- Tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have and all other medications you are taking.
- When taking this medicine, completely avoid taking other medicines containing paracetamol (Acetaminophen).
- Avoid driving and performing tasks that require attention, as drowsiness may occur after taking the medicine.
- If symptoms do not improve within a few days or if severe side effects occur, seek medical advice immediately.
Don't forget: This medicine contains paracetamol (Acetaminophen). Therefore, do not take other medicines containing paracetamol (e.g. Panadol, Panadin) with this medicine. Doing so may cause serious liver damage.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this can cause side effects in some people.
| Classification of side effects | |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
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| Side effects that are usually nothing to worry about (but should be reported to the doctor if they persist) | |
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