Have you ever had a cold with a persistent cough that lasts for days and never goes away? Sometimes, in such situations, doctors may prescribe a special medicine for you. Today, we are going to talk about one such medicine. In this article, we will see what this medicine is, what you need to be careful about while using it, and what side effects it may cause.
What is this medicine? Let's find out simply.
Simply put, this is a combination of two medications. That means it has two main ingredients in it.
1. Chlorpheniramine: This is an antihistamine . Your allergic symptoms, such as hives, rash, itching, and runny nose, are caused by a chemical called histamine produced in the body. This medicine works by controlling the action of histamine.
2. Hydrocodone: This is a cough suppressant. Specifically, it works by reducing the activity of the cough center in your brain, which signals you to cough. This helps control that annoying dry cough.
So, the combination of these two helps control coughs and other symptoms caused by allergies and colds.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
This medicine is not suitable for everyone. Therefore, it is very important that you tell your doctor your complete health history before prescribing this medicine. Especially if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell them.
| Disease or condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Brain and nervous system problems | Conditions such as a brain tumor, head injury, or seizures. |
| Respiratory system diseases | Lung or breathing diseases such as asthma. |
| Diseases of internal organs | Liver disease, kidney disease, pancreatic disease, gallbladder disease. |
| Other chronic diseases | Addison's disease, glaucoma, heart disease, thyroid problems, low blood pressure. |
| Habits and mental health | Having a history of alcohol or drug abuse, mental illness. |
| Other points | Difficulty urinating, stomach or intestinal problems, being pregnant or trying to get pregnant, breastfeeding a child, having an allergic reaction to other medicines, foods or preservatives. |
The most important thing is to be completely honest with your doctor. Don't hide anything about your health.
The medicine should be used in the right way.
Take only the prescribed dose as prescribed by your doctor. This medicine comes in the form of a capsule, so swallow it whole with a glass of water. Do not break, crush, or chew the capsule. Doing so may affect the effectiveness of the medicine.
If you experience stomach upset, take this medicine with a meal. Take the medicine at the right time, at the right intervals. Do not take more than the doctor tells you to.
What to do if you take too much medicine? (Overdose)
If you think you have taken too much medicine, don't delay . Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. Otherwise, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital as soon as possible. Treat this as an emergency.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not share this medicine with anyone else for any reason. It is very dangerous.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
This medicine may interact with some other medicines you are taking. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking (including vitamins and herbal products).
| Do not take Chlorpheniramine or Hydrocodone with these medications. | |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Taking this medicine with alcohol may cause excessive drowsiness, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. |
| MAOIs (Monoamine oxidase inhibitors) | Taking this class of medication for depression together is very dangerous. |
| Other sleep-inducing medications | Medicines for anxiety or sleep, other painkillers (narcotics), and antihistamines for other allergies. |
| As there may be interactions with these medications, please inform your doctor. | |
| Some antibiotics | Eg: Clarithromycin, Erythromycin |
| Medicines for HIV or AIDS | Antiviral drugs. |
| Antifungals | Ex: Ketoconazole, Itraconazole |
| Other | Some medications for Parkinson's disease, bladder problems, and stomach upset. |
Be especially careful about these things when taking medication.
Drowsiness and dizziness
This medicine may make you feel very sleepy . You may also feel dizzy. Therefore, avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Be careful when standing up or getting up from a sitting position, especially if you are elderly.
Constipation
This medicine has a high chance of causing constipation. This is a common side effect. To avoid this , drink plenty of water . If you do not have a bowel movement after 2-3 days, call your doctor for advice.
Dry mouth and dry eyes
Dry mouth is also common. You can control this by chewing sugarless gum, sucking on sugarless candy, and drinking water. If you wear contact lenses, you may experience discomfort due to dry eyes. You can use lubricating drops. If the problem persists, talk to your doctor.
Tolerance and discontinuation
When you use this medicine for a long time, your body can get used to it. We call this tolerance . This means that over time, you may not get the same relief as you did with the previous dose. If your symptoms do not improve, tell your doctor.
The most important thing is not to stop taking the medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice. Doing so can cause severe reactions. If necessary, your doctor will gradually reduce the dose.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Difficulty breathing | Breathing becomes slow or difficult. |
| Symptoms of low blood pressure | Dizziness, fainting, feeling unusually weak. |
| Other | Confusion, difficulty urinating or a change in the amount of urine. |
| Common, less serious side effects (but tell your doctor if they persist) | |
| Constipation | Dry mouth |
| Nausea, vomiting | Tiredness |
How to keep medicine safe?
Keep this medicine out of the reach of children . As this is a medicine that can be abused, keep it locked up in a safe place to protect it from theft. Store it tightly closed at room temperature (between 15°C - 30°C).
When discarding expired or unused medication, mix the capsules with something like coffee grounds or cat litter, put them in a tightly sealed container, and discard.
Take-Home Message
- Always take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, in the dose prescribed. Never take more than you should.
- Tell your doctor about all medical conditions you have and all medications you take.
- This medication may cause excessive drowsiness, so avoid driving and performing tasks that require alertness.
- Do not give this medicine prescribed for you to anyone else for any reason. It is very dangerous and illegal.
- In case of an overdose or severe side effects, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
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