Do you often get colds, have a stuffy nose, and aches in your body? Or do you have an allergy that makes you sneeze, itch, and runny nose when something like dust touches your body? At times like these, many of us reach for a medicine from a pharmacy. Today, we are going to talk about a medicine that is commonly used in such cases, and is made by combining several ingredients.
What is in this medicine?
Simply put, this is a combination of three medications. That means one pill does three things.
- Acetaminophen: This is the paracetamol you're familiar with. It works by reducing pain and fever.
- Chlorpheniramine: This is an antihistamine . It controls the sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes that occur when you have an allergy.
- Phenylephrine: This is a decongestant . When you have a cold, your nose becomes congested, so this medicine helps to reduce it and make it easier to breathe.
This medicine can come under different brand names. For example, you may have seen it under names like Panadol Cold & Flu, Cetrizine Cold. Whatever the name, if it contains these three ingredients, that is the medicine we are talking about.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
This is very important. This medicine is not suitable for everyone. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below, you should definitely tell your doctor about it before taking this medicine.
| Illness or condition | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| Liver disease or frequent alcohol consumption | The acetaminophen (paracetamol) in this medicine can affect the liver. |
| Kidney disease | The dosage may need to be changed because the medication may be difficult to remove from the body. |
| High blood pressure or heart disease | Phenylephrine can further increase blood pressure. |
| Diabetes | Some medications can affect blood sugar levels. |
| Glaucoma condition | There is a possibility of increasing eye pressure. |
| Lung diseases such as asthma or COPD | Sometimes symptoms can be exacerbated. |
| Prostate problems | It can cause difficulty urinating. |
| Being pregnant or breastfeeding | Medical advice is essential as it may affect the baby. |
| Taking MAOI medication in the past 14 days | This can cause a very dangerous interaction. (We'll talk more about this below.) |
How should I use the medicine?
Take this medicine with a glass of water. Use as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the medicine package. Do not take more than the recommended amount.
This medicine is not usually taken daily. It is taken only when symptoms occur. So you don't have to worry about missing a dose.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
This can be very dangerous. If you have any suspicion that you have taken more than you think, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately, even if you do not have any symptoms . Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Taking too much paracetamol can cause serious liver damage, so it is important to act quickly.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Warning: There is a medication that should not be taken together with this medicine!
It's a type of medication called an MAOI , which is used to treat mental illness. If you're taking a medication like Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate, or have taken one within the past 14 days, avoid taking this medication. The combination of these two can cause dangerously high blood pressure.
Not only that, this medicine can also interact with the following things.
- Alcohol: Taking this medication with alcohol can increase drowsiness and may increase liver damage.
- Medications that help you sleep or treat anxiety: These also increase sleepiness.
- Some medications for seizures
- Medicines that prevent blood clotting (e.g. Warfarin)
- Other allergy, cough, and cold medications
- Anesthetic medication for surgery
If you are using any other medications, vitamins, or traditional medicine, don't forget to tell your doctor about it as well.
Things to consider when taking medication
- Paracetamol Dangers: This is the most important thing. This medicine contains paracetamol (Acetaminophen). So when taking this, do not take any other medicine containing paracetamol (e.g. Panadol, Panadin). If you take too much paracetamol at the same time, it can cause serious damage to your liver. So always read the medicine label carefully.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medication may make you feel drowsy or dizzy. So , do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
- Severe skin reactions: Although rare, this medicine can cause a severe skin reaction. If you develop red or purple blisters on your skin along with fever, body aches, peeling skin, or swelling of your face, lips, or neck or armpits, stop taking the medicine immediately and see a doctor.
- Dry mouth: If you feel like your mouth is dry, chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on a low-sugar candy, or drinking small amounts of water may help.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Some of them are serious, some of them are common.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
| Severe allergy | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, pain in the upper right part of the stomach, loss of appetite. |
| Increased blood pressure | The doctor should examine you. |
| Skin blisters or peeling skin | Redness, blistering, or peeling of the skin, including inside the mouth. |
| Difficulty urinating | Inability or difficulty urinating. |
| Usually not serious (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Dizziness, drowsiness | It may decrease as the body gets used to the medication. |
| Dry mouth | Drinking water can provide relief. |
| Insomnia | It is a condition that can occur to some people. |
Take-Home Message
- Before taking this medicine, be sure to tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have and any other medications you are taking.
- When taking this medicine, do not take any other medicine containing paracetamol (e.g. Panadol). It is very dangerous for the liver.
- If you accidentally take too much medicine, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately, even if you have no symptoms.
- If you feel sleepy after taking the medicine, avoid driving.
- This medicine is intended to temporarily control symptoms. If symptoms do not improve or worsen after 5-7 days, seek medical advice again.
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