Do you also often get colds and have a runny nose ? Or are you tired of itching and sneezing due to a sudden allergy ? Today we are going to talk about a medicine that many of us buy from a pharmacy and use at times like these. Let's talk clearly about what exactly this medicine is, what it does, and what things to be careful about when using it.
What does this medicine contain?
Simply put, this is a combination of two types of medicine.
- Acetaminophen : Most of us know this as Paracetamol . It is used to reduce fever, body aches , and headaches .
- Chlorpheniramine : This belongs to the antihistamine class. It is used to control allergy symptoms , such as red and itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and skin rashes.
When these two are combined, they provide relief from a multitude of symptoms caused by colds, flu, and allergies.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before using this medicine, it is imperative that you inform your doctor if you have any of the following health conditions:
| Your situation | Why is awareness important? |
|---|---|
| If you are a frequent drinker | The combination of alcohol and acetaminophen (paracetamol) can cause severe liver damage. |
| Liver disease | The acetaminophen in this medicine is eliminated from the body through the liver. If you have liver disease, it can be made worse. |
| Glaucoma condition | Chlorpheniramine can increase eye pressure, which is not good for glaucoma. |
| Breathing difficulties (such as asthma, COPD) | This medicine can thicken the secretions in the respiratory tract, which may increase breathing difficulties. |
| Difficulty urinating | This medication may increase difficulty urinating, especially in conditions such as prostate enlargement. |
| Allergies to other medications and foods | Please let us know if you have had any previous allergies to these medications or anything else. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | It is very important to seek medical advice before taking any medication during pregnancy. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | The ingredients in the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk, so ask your doctor. |
How do you use this medicine?
The medicine should be used exactly as directed on the label.
- Swallow this pill with a glass of water.
- You can take it before or after a meal, but if you feel like you're having an upset stomach, it's best to take it with a meal.
- Never take more than the prescribed dose.
Special information about children and adults
- Children: This medicine is sometimes recommended for children over 6 years of age, but only on the advice of a doctor. You need to be very careful about the dosage when giving it to children.
- People over 65: Older people may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, especially drowsiness, so they are usually prescribed a lower dose.
Overdosage - Very important!
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the National Hospital immediately, even if you have no symptoms. Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Taking too much acetaminophen can cause serious liver damage.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Other medications you are taking may interact with this medicine, so tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal products).
Especially avoid taking this medicine with the following:
- MAOI medications: Do not take this with antidepressants such as Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate for any reason .
- Alcohol: Increases drowsiness and dizziness. Damage to the liver is also very high.
- Other medications that cause drowsiness or intoxication: sleeping pills, tranquilizers (e.g. Diazepam, Alprazolam), painkillers (Opioids), muscle relaxants.
- Other antihistamines: These may also be contained in other cough, cold, and allergy medications.
- Warfarin: This medicine, which is used to prevent blood clots, may affect the effectiveness of this medicine.
This list is not complete, so it is very important to inform your doctor about any medications you are taking.
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
- Watch for symptoms: Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse. If you have a fever for more than 3 days, or if you need to use this medicine for more than 10 days (more than 5 days for children), seek medical advice.
- Be careful with acetaminophen: When taking this medicine, do not take any other medicine that contains acetaminophen (e.g. Panadol, Calpol). Doing so may increase the dose and cause liver damage. Always read the label of the medicine.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: You may feel drowsy and dizzy after taking this medicine. Therefore, avoid driving or operating machinery while taking this medicine. Drinking alcohol can make this condition worse.
- Severe skin allergy: Very rarely, some people may develop a severe skin allergy. Seek immediate medical attention if you have fever, body aches, red or purple spots on your skin that blister and look like your skin is peeling, or if you have swollen lymph nodes in your face, lips, neck, or armpits .
- Dry mouth: If your mouth is dry, chew sugar-free gum and drink more water. If this persists, tell your doctor.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, this can cause side effects in some people.
| If you experience these symptoms, see a doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Severe allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, and yellowing of the eyes or skin. |
| Skin blisters or peeling skin | Redness, blistering, or peeling of the skin, including inside the mouth. |
| Changes in the eyes | Sudden eye pain, blurred vision, seeing halos around lights. |
| Difficulty urinating | Inability or difficulty urinating. |
| It's usually not serious, but if it persists, tell your doctor. | |
| Drowsiness, dizziness | A common condition that affects many people. |
| Dry mouth | Drinking water can provide relief. |
| Constipation | Eat fiber-rich foods and drink more water. |
| Nausea, headache | It usually goes away after a while. |
How do you store and dispose of medication?
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Do not use expired medicine.
- The best way to get rid of expired or unwanted medications is to return them to a pharmacy. If that's not possible, remove the pills from their wrappers, mix them with something like used tea leaves, coffee grounds, or soil, seal them in a bag or container, and throw them in the trash. Never flush them down the toilet.
Take-Home Message
- This medicine is only used to temporarily control the symptoms of colds, flu, and allergies.
- Always inform your doctor about other medications you are taking and any other illnesses you may have.
- When taking this medicine, do not take any other medicine containing paracetamol (Acetaminophen) (such as Panadol).
- Avoid driving and performing tasks that require alertness as drowsiness may occur after taking the medication.
- If you take too much medicine by mistake, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately, even if you have no symptoms.
- If you experience severe allergic symptoms, such as severe skin blistering and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice immediately.
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