Imagine, your nose is blocked, you keep sneezing, your eyes are red and itchy... It's really annoying when you get a cold or an allergy, isn't it? So today we're talking about a medicine that we use in times like these. It contains two ingredients called Brompheniramine and Phenylephrine. Let's take a look at this medicine, what it does, and what you need to be careful about while using it.
What kind of medicine is this?
Simply put, this is a combination of two medications. 1.
An antihistamine: This is used to control symptoms such as red eyes, itching, and runny nose caused by allergies. 2.
A decongestant: This is used to reduce nasal congestion. It shrinks the blood vessels inside the nose, reducing swelling and making it easier to breathe. So when these two are combined, you can avoid many of the discomforts caused by colds, flu, or allergies.
Things you should tell your doctor before taking medication
This medicine is not suitable for everyone. Therefore, if you have any of the following health conditions, you should
definitely tell your doctor before using this medicine.
| Your medical condition | Why should you inform the doctor ? (Simply) |
|---|
| Diabetes | 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 can increase. |
| Lung disease (e.g. asthma, COPD) | Some respiratory conditions may worsen. |
| Thyroid problems (Thyroid disease) | Thyroid hormone function may be affected. |
| Difficulty urinating | This problem may worsen. |
| If you have taken MAOI medications (e.g. Marplan, Nardil) within the past 14 days | Very serious and dangerous side effects can occur. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | The doctor must determine the potential impact on the fetus. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | The ingredients of the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
| If you have an allergy to other medicines, foods, or substances | There is also a possibility of an allergic reaction to this medicine. |
How should I use the medicine?
Be aware of these points when using this medicine.
- Take the tablet by mouth with a glass of water.
- Take the medicine exactly as directed on the label or by your doctor. Never take more than the prescribed dose.
- It can be taken with or without food, but if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with some food.
- This is not a medication that is usually taken continuously. It is taken as needed when symptoms occur.
If given to children and the elderly
Children over the age of 6 may sometimes be prescribed this medicine by a doctor. But it should only be given
under medical advice. People over the age of 65 may feel the effects of this medicine a little stronger, so they may need a lower dose.
What to do if you take too much medicine? (Overdose)
If you think you have taken too much medicine, do not ignore it. Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
It is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies). Some medications can interact with this one.
In particular, avoid taking it with these medications:- MAOI type medications: (e.g. Marplan, Nardil, Parnate).
- Ergot alkaloids: (eg ergotamine, dihydroergotamine).
Be careful with these too: This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.
Things to be careful about while taking the medicine
- If your symptoms do not improve or worsen, talk to your doctor. If you need to continue using this medicine for more than 7 days, ask your doctor about this.
- Important: This medicine may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
- To reduce the dizziness that occurs when you suddenly stand up from sitting or sleeping, get up slowly.
- Dry mouth : It is common to experience dry mouth while taking this medication. This can be managed by chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on sugar-free candy, and drinking plenty of water.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this can cause side effects in some people.
Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately are usually not serious, but if they persist, you should tell
your doctor. | Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|
| Severe allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Changes in heart rate | Feeling like your heart is beating fast and irregularly. |
| Increased blood pressure | The doctor should examine you. |
| Eye problems | Sudden eye pain, blurred vision, and seeing rings around lights. |
| Difficulty urinating | Difficulty urinating or decreased amount of urine. |
| Psychological effects | Anxiety, restlessness, confusion. |
| General physical effects | Constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache. |
How should you store your medicine?
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Do not use expired medications. Dispose of them properly. If you are unsure about how to dispose of them, ask your doctor. The usual way to dispose of them is to remove the pills from the container, mix them with something like used coffee grounds or soil, put them in a sealed bag, and put them in the trash.
Take-Home Message
- Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have and any other medicines you are taking.
- Never take more than the dose prescribed by your doctor. If you take too much, go to the emergency room immediately.
- Taking the medicine may make you feel sleepy. Therefore, avoid driving or doing dangerous work.
- Avoid taking this medication with alcohol. It can increase side effects.
- If you experience severe side effects, such as eye pain or rapid heartbeat, seek medical advice immediately.
Brompheniramine Sinhala, Phenylephrine Sinhala, cold medicine, allergy medicine, nasal congestion medicine, antihistamine Sinhala, decongestant Sinhala
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