There are days when you feel tired all day and your body aches, your head hurts, and you can't sleep at night. Pain and insomnia are both very annoying, right? So today we are going to talk about a medicine that can help you sleep well and reduce pain at times like these. This usually comes in the form of a pill that you dissolve in water and take.
What kind of medicine is this?
Simply put, this is a combination of two types of drugs.
1. Acetaminophen: This is the same as the well-known paracetamol. It is used to reduce pain and fever.
2. Diphenhydramine: This belongs to a class of drugs called antihistamines. These are usually used to treat allergies, itching, and colds. However, one of the side effects of this is that it makes you sleepy. So this drug uses that sleepiness to help you fall asleep faster.
So when these two are combined, your pain will be reduced and you will get a good night's sleep. These usually come in the form of effervescent tablets that you can dissolve in a glass of water and drink.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before starting this medication, you should definitely tell your doctor if you have any underlying medical conditions or problems, as the ingredients in this medication may interact with some medical conditions.
| Medical condition/habit | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Liver disease | Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is eliminated from the body through the liver. People with liver disease are at increased risk of liver damage from this. |
| If you drink alcohol regularly | The damage to the liver is very high when Acetaminophen is combined with alcohol. |
| Glaucoma | The ingredient diphenhydramine can increase eye pressure and worsen glaucoma. |
| Difficulty urinating or prostate problems | This medicine can make it more difficult to urinate. |
| Asthma or other lung diseases | Sometimes this medicine can increase breathing difficulties. |
| Heart disease or high blood pressure | This medicine may affect some heart conditions. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are a breastfeeding mother | During these times, it is essential to seek medical advice before taking any medication. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
The way to use this is very simple.
1. Keep the pill in its sealed packet until you are ready to take it.
2. With dry hands, tear open the packet and carefully remove the tablet.
3. Dissolve two tablets in 8 ounces of room temperature water (a standard glass of water).
4. Drink the water after the tablet has completely dissolved. Never chew or swallow this tablet without dissolving it.
This medicine is usually recommended for people over 12 years of age. If you are giving it to a child younger than that, you should talk to your doctor about it.
Overdosage
If you have any suspicion that you have taken too much of this medicine, do not delay. Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Even if there are no symptoms, it is very important to seek medical advice immediately as taking too much Acetaminophen can cause serious liver damage.
This medicine is for you only. Never share your medicine with others.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
If you are taking medication for another condition, you should tell your doctor about that as well, as some medications can interact with this one.
- MAOIs: These are a class of medications used to treat certain types of depression. Acetaminophen/Diphenhydramine should not be taken with these medications.
- Alcohol: Severely increases drowsiness and dizziness. Also, the risk of liver damage is very high.
- Other antihistamines: Taking them with other medications for allergies or colds can cause excessive drowsiness.
- Sleeping pills: Taking this medicine with other medications can cause excessive drowsiness and loss of consciousness.
- Drugs like barbiturates: These also increase drowsiness.
- Some medications for mental illnesses, high blood pressure, Parkinson's disease, bladder problems, and stomach problems may also interact with this.
Important: Do not take any other medicine containing Acetaminophen (e.g. Panadol, Calpol, some types of Piriton) at the same time as this medicine. Always read the label before taking any medicine. If in doubt, ask your doctor.
Things to be careful about when taking this medicine
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medication may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. So , do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
- Dry mouth and eyes: You may feel like your mouth is dry. This can be controlled by chewing sugarless gum and drinking plenty of water. If your eyes are dry, you can use lubricating eye drops. If these problems persist, tell your doctor.
- Avoid alcohol: Alcohol can worsen the side effects of this medication (especially drowsiness). Therefore, avoid alcohol completely while taking this medication.
Possible side effects
Like any medicine, this one can cause side effects in some people. Some of them are serious, some of them are common.
| If these symptoms occur, seek medical advice immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, and extreme fatigue. |
| Blistering or redness of the skin | Redness, blistering, or peeling of the skin, including inside the mouth. |
| Vision changes | Sudden eye pain, blurred vision, seeing rings around lights, loss of vision. |
| Difficulty urinating | Difficulty urinating or no urination. |
| These are usually not serious, but if they persist, tell your doctor. | |
| Common side effects | Drowsiness, constipation, headache, nausea, stomach upset, confusion. |
Take-Home Message
- This is a combination of two medications that reduce pain and help you sleep.
- Before taking this medication, tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have, such as liver disease, glaucoma, or urinary problems.
- Do not take any other medicine containing paracetamol (Acetaminophen) for any reason while taking this medicine.
- Avoid activities that require attention, such as driving, as the medication may cause drowsiness.
- If you accidentally take too much medicine, even if you have no symptoms, go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately or call the National Poisons Information Center.
- Always follow your doctor's instructions.
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