The pain you feel when you catch a cold is unbearable, isn't it? Your body aches, you have a fever, you cough constantly, your nose is blocked and you can't breathe... At times like these, many of us are used to going to the pharmacy and asking for a "good medicine for a cold". But have you ever thought about what exactly is in that one pill or capsule, and how careful we need to be when using it? So, today we'll talk about the medicine you take, just as simply as you would tell a friend.
What is actually in this medicine?
The pills/capsules we usually buy from the pharmacy as "cold medicine" contain a combination of three main types of medication. These are Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, and Pseudoephedrine. Let's see what happens with each of these.
- Acetaminophen: This is the medicine that reduces pain and fever in our body. Paracetamol, which we all know, and Panadol are also of this type of medicine.
- Dextromethorphan: This is used to control cough. To be precise, this is a cough suppressant.
- Pseudoephedrine: This is a decongestant that reduces nasal congestion and nasal discharge. It works by constricting the tiny blood vessels inside the nose, which helps reduce nasal congestion and make it easier to breathe.
The important thing is that this medicine only controls the symptoms. It does not kill the virus that caused your cold. It has to be cured by our body's own immune system.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before taking this medicine, it is important to inform your doctor if you have any of the following conditions, as some of the ingredients in this medicine may interact with these conditions.
| Tell your doctor if you have these conditions. |
|---|
| Asthma disease |
| Diabetes |
| Heart disease or high blood pressure |
| Liver disease |
| Thyroid disease |
| Difficulty urinating (e.g., prostate problem) |
| If you are a regular drinker |
| If you have taken an MAOI antidepressant (e.g. Carbex, Marplan, Nardil) within the past 14 days |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding |
| If you have had an allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicine or food. |
How should I use this medicine?
When using medication, it is very important to follow the instructions on the medication label.
- Swallow the tablet or capsule whole with a glass of water. Never break, crush, or chew them.
- Take the prescribed dose at the prescribed time. Do not take more than the doctor has advised.
- If this medicine is given to children under 12 years of age, it is essential to seek advice from a pediatrician.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at the same time.
Overdose: If you accidentally take too much medicine, even if you don't have any symptoms, it can be very dangerous. So go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
Can this interact with other medications?
Yes, absolutely. This medicine can interact with some other medicines. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking.
| Do not take this medicine with any other medicines. | |
|---|---|
| MAOI antidepressants (e.g. Carbex, Marplan, Nardil, Parnate) | Do not use this cold medicine for 14 days after stopping these. |
| Stimulant medicines | Ex: dextroamphetamine |
| May also interact with these medications. | |
Alcohol, blood pressure medication, heart medication (e.g. nitroglycerin), psychiatric medication, other cough, cold, allergy medication, and any other medication containing acetaminophen (Paracetamol). | |
This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about every medication, vitamin, and even traditional medicine you take.
Things to consider when taking medication
- If your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse, see a doctor.
- Tell your doctor if the pain, stuffy nose, or cough lasts more than 7 days .
- If the fever persists for more than 3 days or if the fever gets worse, seek medical advice.
- If you experience a skin rash or headache along with your cough, also inform your doctor.
Very important: Since this medicine contains acetaminophen, do not take any other medicine containing acetaminophen (such as Paracetamol/Panadol) with it. Doing so may cause an acetaminophen overdose. This can cause very serious, even life-threatening, damage to your liver. Therefore, read the label carefully before taking any medicine. If in doubt, ask your doctor.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this can cause side effects in some people.
| Side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the lips/tongue/face | Chest pain, tightness |
| Fast, irregular heartbeat | Dizziness, severe restlessness, insomnia |
| Difficulty urinating or a change in the amount of urine you produce | Yellowing of the skin or eyes (Jaundice) |
| Unusual bruising or bleeding | Feeling unusually tired or weak |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Drowsiness | Dry mouth and eyes |
| Appetite | Stomach upset |
Take-Home Message
- This medicine only controls the symptoms of the common cold (fever, cough, aches). It does not kill the virus that causes the disease.
- When taking this medicine, do not take any other medicine containing acetaminophen (Paracetamol/Panadol) at the same time. It can cause liver damage.
- Tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have (such as diabetes, high blood pressure) and all other medications you take.
- If you accidentally take too much medication, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately, even if you have no symptoms.
- If symptoms do not improve after 7 days or if the fever persists for more than 3 days, be sure to see a doctor.
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