When you have a cold, you get a cough, a fever, aches and pains, and a stuffy nose. So many of us are used to going to a pharmacy and asking for a single pill that cures all these ailments. Today we are going to talk about these “all-in-one” or combination medicines. Although these are easy to use, there are a few things we need to be careful about.
What is actually in these medications?
Simply put, this is a combination of four medications. They are designed to do several things in one pill. Let's see what they are.
- Acetaminophen : This is the paracetamol we all know. It is used to reduce body aches , headaches , and fever.
- Dextromethorphan : This is a cough suppressant, especially helpful for stopping dry coughs .
- Guaifenesin: This works by thinning the mucus in the chest and helping it to be easier to cough up. This is called an expectorant .
- Phenylephrine: This works to reduce nasal congestion. It constricts the blood vessels in the nose, making it easier to breathe. This is called a decongestant.
The important thing is that this medicine only controls the symptoms of the common cold. It does not cure any kind of infection. If your illness is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor will need to prescribe another type of medicine, such as antibiotics.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before taking such combination medications, it is imperative to inform your doctor if you have any health concerns, as some of the ingredients in these medications may interact with certain medical conditions.
Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking this medication, especially if you have the following conditions:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Liver disease
- Thyroid problems (Thyroid disease)
- Difficulty urinating (e.g., enlarged prostate)
- If you are a regular drinker
- If you have taken a medication in the ``MAOI'' group (e.g. Carbex, Marplan, Nardil) for a mental condition within the past 14 days.
- If you are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant
- If you are a breastfeeding mother
- If you have an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in this medicine or to any other medicine, food, or dye.
When you tell your doctor about these things, he or she can decide whether this medication is right for you or whether you should be given a safer alternative.
How should I use this medicine?
Swallow this tablet with a glass of water. Do not crush, crush, or chew the tablet. Take the medicine exactly as directed by your doctor or on the package insert. Do not take more than the prescribed amount.
If given to children: Doctors sometimes recommend this medicine for children over 12 years of age. However, never give this medicine to a child without a doctor's advice. The dosage varies depending on the child's age, weight, and medical condition.
What to do if you take too much medicine? (Overdosage)
If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose of this medicine, do not delay. Even if you do not show any symptoms, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Taking too much Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) can cause serious liver damage, so do not take this lightly.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
When using this medicine, interactions may occur with other medicines and foods you are taking. This means that these things can affect the way this medicine works.
| Possible problems with medications and other substances | |
|---|---|
| Things that should never be taken together | |
| MAOI drugs | Medications for depression such as Carbex, Marplan, and Nardil should not be taken for 14 days after stopping these medications. |
| Stimulants | Drugs like dextroamphetamine. |
| Things to be very careful about when taking together and things to inform your doctor about | |
| Alcohol | Greatly increases the risk of liver damage and drowsiness. |
| Other medicines containing Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) | Read the labels of other painkillers and cold medicines. Combining them can lead to an overdose. |
| Medications for mental illness | Medication for depression and anxiety. |
| Other medications that cause drowsiness | Allergy medicine, sleeping pills. |
Very important: When taking this medicine, do not take any other medicine containing Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) (e.g. Panadol, Piriton-P) at the same time. Always read the label of any other medicine you are taking. If in doubt, ask your doctor.
Things to be careful about when using the medicine
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they worsen, be sure to see a doctor.
- If pain, cough, or nasal congestion lasts more than 7 days .
- If your sore throat lasts more than 2 days , or if your sore throat is accompanied by fever, rash, headache, nausea, or vomiting.
Having symptoms like these means you may have a more serious condition. So don't delay in seeking medical advice.
Side effects that may occur with this medicine
Like any medicine, this can cause side effects in some people, but not everyone gets them.
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist |
|---|---|
|
|
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, please inform your doctor about them as well.
Take-Home Message
- These are medications that control symptoms, not medications that cure infections.
- If you have other medical conditions (such as diabetes, high blood pressure) or are taking other medications, be sure to inform your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Never take more than the prescribed dose. Especially, avoid taking it with other medications that contain Acetaminophen (Paracetamol).
- If symptoms do not improve within a week or worsen, seek medical advice immediately.
- If you suspect an overdose, go to a hospital emergency room (ETU) immediately or contact the National Poisons Information Center, even if there are no symptoms.
Cold, Cough, Fever, Phlegm, Paracetamol, Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine, Side Effects, Combination Drugs
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