Are you aware of this cough syrup? (Carbetapentane; Pyrilamine)

Do you have a persistent, annoying cough that has been going on for days? It could be due to a cold or a respiratory infection like bronchitis. So when you visit a doctor at a time like this, he or she may prescribe you a special cough syrup to control your cough. Today, we are going to talk about one such commonly used medication.

Simply put, what is this medicine?

This medicine is actually a combination of two drugs. That is, it has two main ingredients.

1. Carbetapentane: This is a cough suppressant. To be precise, it controls the activity of the cough center in our brain, reducing coughing.

2. Pyrilamine: This is a medication used to treat allergies. It is a type of antihistamine. It helps control allergy symptoms such as runny nose, runny nose, and itchy eyes.

So, the combination of these two helps relieve coughs and related symptoms caused by asthma, bronchitis, or the common cold.

Things you need to tell your doctor before using this medicine

It is very important that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition before prescribing this medicine to you. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:

• If you have diabetes .
• If you have difficulty urinating (especially in men due to prostate problems).
• If you have glaucoma, a condition in which the pressure in the eye is high.
• If you have heart disease or high blood pressure .
• If you have other lung diseases .
• If you have an overactive thyroid .
• If you have a genetic condition called Phenylketonuria (PKU) .
• Very important: If you have used a drug called an MAOI (e.g. Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, Parnate) in the past 14 days , you must tell your doctor. Taking these two drugs together can be very dangerous.
• If you are allergic to any of the ingredients in this medicine or to other medicines, foods, or preservatives.
• If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
• If you are a mother who is breastfeeding .

Based on this information, your doctor will decide whether this medication is right for you or whether the dosage needs to be changed.

The correct way to use the medicine

To get the most out of a medication, it is very important to use it correctly.

• This medicine is a syrup that you should take by mouth. Take it exactly as prescribed by the doctor, at the right time.
• If you experience stomach upset, take the medicine with a meal or a glass of milk.
• Shake the bottle well before use.
• Very important: Always use the special cap, cup, or syringe that comes with the medicine to measure it. Do not use regular teaspoons or tablespoons from the kitchen. They may not measure accurately and may cause you to get too much or too little medicine.
• Do not take more or more medicine than your doctor tells you to.

For young children and the elderly

This medicine can be prescribed by a doctor in some cases even for children over 2 years of age. However, this decision should be made by a pediatrician. Therefore, if you are giving this medicine to a child, talk to your doctor about it. Also, people over 65 years of age may feel the effects of this medicine a little stronger, so they are usually prescribed a lower dose.

What if I take too much medicine? (Overdose)

If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, never 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 things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)

Other medications you are taking may interact with this medicine and cause dangerous side effects. Therefore, tell your doctor about all medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies).

What are the possible side effects of the medication?

Like any medicine, this one can cause side effects in some people. Some are serious, some are common.

Other things to keep in mind while taking the medicine

• Drowsiness: This medication may make you feel drowsy or dizzy. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• Changing positions: When you suddenly sit down from standing, or when you suddenly stand up from sitting, you may feel dizzy or faint. So, do it slowly when changing positions.
• Dry mouth: Dry mouth is a common side effect of this medication. You can help relieve it by chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on a candy bar, or sipping water frequently.
• Dry eyes: Dry eyes can cause blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses, you may experience discomfort. You can use lubricating drops as prescribed by your doctor.

Cough medicine, Carbetapentane, Pyrilamine, cough syrup, side effects, medicines, respiratory diseases