A cold can be very annoying, with symptoms like a cough, a stuffy nose, and a runny nose. So, at times like these, many of us buy a syrup from a pharmacy that claims to cure all these symptoms. Today, we are going to talk about a syrup made by combining several such medicines. There are things we need to be very careful about when using these.
What is this collection of medicines?
Simply put, this is a combination of three medications. That means it does three things with one pill.
- Brompheniramine: This is an antihistamine . It is mainly used for allergies, sneezing, itching, and runny nose.
- Pseudoephedrine: This is a decongestant , which means it helps open up a stuffy nose and make breathing easier.
- Dextromethorphan: This is a cough suppressant . It works by affecting the cough center in the brain, controlling a bothersome dry cough.
The most important thing is that this medicine only controls your symptoms. It does not kill the virus or bacteria that caused your illness. This means that this is not a cure.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
If you have any of the following medical conditions or conditions, you should definitely tell your doctor before using this medicine. This medicine may not be compatible with some medical conditions.
| Illness or condition | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| High Blood Pressure | This medicine may increase blood pressure. |
| Heart disease | It can affect heart function. |
| Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) | Blood sugar levels may be affected. |
| Thyroid Disease | Symptoms may worsen. |
| Glaucoma | Eye pressure can increase. |
| Lung diseases (e.g. asthma, COPD) | Breathing difficulties may occur. |
| Prostate disease or difficulty urinating | Difficulty urinating may increase. |
| Stomach or intestinal ulcers/obstructions | These situations can become serious. |
| Taking MAOI antidepressants | If you have taken (MAOI) medications such as Marplan or Nardil within the past 14 days, it is very dangerous to take this. |
| Being pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | Medical advice is essential as it could harm the baby. |
How do you use this medicine?
Consider these points when using this medicine.
- Correct dosage: Take the exact amount prescribed by your doctor. Never use kitchen teaspoons or tablespoons. Use the specially marked syringe, dropper, or cup that comes with the medicine. You cannot measure accurately with household spoons.
- If given to children: Doctors sometimes prescribe this medicine for children over 2 years of age. But it should only be given on medical advice. Do not give this medicine to children yourself.
- Elderly: People over 65 years of age may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, so they are usually prescribed a lower dose.
What to do if you take too much medicine? (Overdose)
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, do not delay. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Treat this as an emergency.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
This medicine may interact with other medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking, so tell your doctor about everything you are taking.
| Never take these with anything. | |
|---|---|
| MAOI-type antidepressants | Medicines like Marplan, Nardil, Parnate. |
| Ergot Alkaloids | Migraine medications such as ergotamine. |
| Tell your doctor as these may interact with it. | |
| Alcohol | It can severely increase drowsiness and dizziness. |
| Sedatives or sleeping pills | Increases drowsiness and decreased attention. |
| Other antidepressants (e.g. Amitriptyline, Fluoxetine) | Increases the risk of side effects. |
| Painkillers (especially morphine) | Breathing may be affected. |
| Other allergy or cough/cold medications | There is a possibility of overdose. |
Possible side effects when taking the medicine
Like all medications, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Severe allergic reaction | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Increased blood pressure | Severe headache, chest pain, difficulty breathing. |
| Seizures | Sudden convulsions. |
| Difficulty urinating | No or very little urine output. |
| Serotonin Syndrome | Restlessness, confusion, diarrhea, rapid heartbeat, tremors, sweating, high fever. |
| Common side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Drowsiness or dizziness | Therefore, avoid driving. |
| Dry mouth | Chewing sugar-free gum or drinking water can help. |
| Insomnia | Some people feel sleepy, while others may experience insomnia. |
| Anxious | Feeling nervous. |
How do you store and dispose of the medicine?
- Keep out of reach of children and pets .
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius) away from light.
- Do not use expired medicine.
- When getting rid of expired or unwanted medication, remove it from the bottle and mix it with something like coffee grounds, soil, or used kitty litter, put it in a well-sealed bag, and throw it in the trash. You can get further advice from your doctor about this.
Take-Home Message
- This combination of medicines only temporarily controls symptoms such as cough and phlegm, but does not cure the disease.
- Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor about all medical conditions you have and all other medications you are taking.
- Always use the correct measuring device that comes with your medicine to measure it. Do not use kitchen spoons.
- Avoid driving and performing tasks that require alertness, as drowsiness and dizziness may occur after taking the medicine.
- If you suspect an overdose, call the National Poisons Information Center immediately or go to a hospital emergency room (ETU).
- Seek immediate medical attention if serious side effects (facial swelling, difficulty breathing, seizure) occur.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න