Do you sneeze often? Do your eyes and nose itch? Does your nose get blocked and it's hard to breathe when you have a cold? A medicine that a doctor may give you for the symptoms of seasonal allergies is a capsule containing a combination of two drugs called Acrivastine and Pseudoephedrine. Today, we'll talk briefly about this medicine, what it does, and what you need to be careful about when using it.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, this is a combination of two types of medication. That is, an antihistamine and a decongestant.
Imagine, when our body experiences an allergy, a chemical called 'histamine' is released from the body. This is what causes things like itchy eyes and nose, sneezing, and body aches. So, the 'antihistamine' part of this medicine called Acrivastine stops the action of that histamine. Then those annoying allergy symptoms are controlled.
The other medicine, a decongestant called Pseudoephedrine , works by shrinking the tiny blood vessels inside your nose that become swollen when you have a cold. This reduces nasal congestion and makes it easier for you to breathe.
But remember one thing, this medicine only controls the symptoms of allergies. It does not cure any bacterial or viral infection in any way.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
Before you use this medicine, you should definitely tell your doctor if you have any of the following medical conditions. It is very important for your safety.
| Illness or condition | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) | This medicine can affect blood sugar levels. |
| Glaucoma condition | There is a possibility of increasing eye pressure. |
| Heart disease or high blood pressure | Blood pressure and heart rate may increase. |
| If you have used MAOI type medication (within the past 14 days) | These are medications for mental illness. Taking these two together can cause dangerous reactions. |
| Kidney disease | The dosage may need to be changed because the medication may be difficult to eliminate from the body. |
| Difficulty urinating or prostate problems | This problem is likely to worsen. |
| Thyroid diseases | This medicine may affect thyroid symptoms. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | You should talk to your doctor about the possible effects on the fetus. |
| If a mother is breastfeeding her child | Parts of the medicine can be passed to the baby through breast milk. |
How should I use the medicine?
- Take this medicine with a glass of water .
- Take the medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor, at the prescribed time. Do not change the dosage as you see fit.
- If you feel like you're having an upset stomach, take the medicine with food. Or it doesn't matter whether you take it before or after a meal.
- If you are giving this medicine to children under 12 years of age, you should talk to your pediatrician about it.
- If you are over 60 years old, the effects of the medicine may be a little stronger, so a lower dose may be needed.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice. Treat this as an emergency.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Some medications can cause problems when taken with this medicine, so it is very important to tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking (including vitamins and traditional medicines).
| Medicines and other substances | |
|---|---|
| Things you should not take with this medicine | |
| |
| Things that may interact with this medicine (tell your doctor) | |
|
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
- This medicine may make you feel drowsy or dizzy . Therefore, avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Avoid drinking alcohol. Alcohol can make you feel more sleepy.
- If you are an elderly person, get up slowly when you get up from a sitting position or out of bed. If you get up suddenly, you may feel dizzy and fall.
- Dry mouth is a common side effect of this medication. Chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on unsweetened toffee, and drinking plenty of water can help. But if the problem persists, talk to your doctor.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, this one can cause side effects in some people. Some of them are serious, some of them are common.
| Types of side effects | |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
|
Take-Home Message
- This medicine should only be used under the advice of a doctor. Trust him and your symptoms completely.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking and any other medical conditions you have (especially heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure).
- Avoid driving as this medicine may make you drowsy. Do not drink alcohol.
- If you experience serious side effects such as difficulty breathing or increased heart rate, seek medical advice immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Never give this medicine to anyone else.
- Keep the medicine out of the reach of children , away from light, and at normal room temperature.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න