A cold can cause a lot of discomfort, such as body aches, stuffy nose, sneezing, and watery eyes. You might be wondering how great it would be if you could get relief from all of these symptoms in one pill. In this article, we are going to talk about a combination drug that is designed to provide relief from several symptoms.
What is this medicine?
Simply put, this is a combination of three medications. That means there are three main medications in one pill.
1. Chlorpheniramine: This is a type of medicine given for allergies. Medically, we call it ``Antihistamine''. It controls allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.
2. Ibuprofen: This is a pain reliever that you may have heard of. We call it a ``Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)``. It helps reduce the body aches, headaches, and fever that come with a cold.
3. Pseudoephedrine: This is used to relieve nasal congestion. In medical terms, these are called ``Decongestants.'' This works by constricting the swollen blood vessels inside the nose, making it easier to breathe.
The most important thing is that this medicine only controls the symptoms of colds and allergies. It does not cure a bacterial or viral infection. That is, it only controls the symptoms, not the cause of the disease.
Things you should tell your doctor before taking this medicine:
Before you start taking this medicine, you should definitely tell your doctor if you have any of the following health conditions. This is very important, because this medicine is not suitable for everyone.
| Health condition or habit | Why should you care? |
|---|---|
| Heart disease, high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke | This medication can increase blood pressure and affect the heart. |
| If you have had heart bypass surgery (CABG) within the past 2 weeks | The risk of serious complications is high. |
| Stomach ulcers, intestinal bleeding | The ibuprofen in this medicine can aggravate these conditions. |
| Kidney or liver disease | The process of removing the drug from the body may be affected. |
| Diabetes | Blood sugar levels may be affected. |
| Asthma or other respiratory diseases | Some people may experience increased breathing difficulties. |
| Glaucoma | Eye pressure may increase. |
| If you have taken MAOI type medications (used for depression) in the past 14 days | Very severe reactions can occur. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are a breastfeeding mother | Medical advice is essential as this may be harmful to the baby. |
| If you have a habit of drinking alcohol or smoking | Increases the risk of side effects. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
This medicine should be used exactly as directed on the label or as directed by your doctor. Take this medicine with a glass of water. If you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it after a meal. Do not take more than the prescribed dose.
This medicine is usually recommended for people over 12 years of age. If you are over 65 years of age, your body may react more strongly to it. Therefore, you may need a lower dose. Talk to your doctor about this.
What do you do if you take too much?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What if I miss a dose of medicine?
This is not a medication that is usually taken continuously. It is taken only when symptoms are present, as needed. Therefore, the phrase 'missed a dose' does not apply to this.
Other medicines that should not be used with this medicine
Some medications can cause serious reactions when taken with this medicine. If you are taking any of the following medications, it is not recommended to take this medicine.
- `Cidofovir`
- `Ketorolac` (another strong painkiller)
- `MAOIs` (e.g. Marplan, Nardil)
- Stimulants that help you lose weight and focus
Also, there are other medications that can interact with this one. So tell your doctor about all the medications you take (including vitamins and herbal remedies). Some examples are:
- Aspirin and other similar painkillers
- Medicines that prevent blood clotting (e.g. `Warfarin`)
- Medication for high blood pressure
- Some medications for depression or anxiety
- Alcohol
Things to consider when taking medication
- Stomach bleeding: This medicine can cause stomach ulcers or bleeding without warning . Smoking and drinking alcohol increase this risk. If you have severe stomach pain, vomiting blood, or black stools, seek medical advice immediately.
- Heart attack and stroke risk: Using this drug for a long time, especially if you have heart disease, may increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. This drug does not prevent heart attacks.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant, taking this medicine may harm your unborn baby, especially between 20 and 30 weeks . Do not take this medicine after 30 weeks. It is important to talk to your doctor about this.
- Drowsiness: This medication may make you feel drowsy or dizzy. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
- Dry mouth: You may feel like your mouth is dry. This can be controlled by chewing sugar-free gum and drinking plenty of water.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Classification of side effects | |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| |
| Common side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome: | |
|
Take-Home Message
- This medicine is used to control the symptoms of colds and allergies (fever, body aches, stuffy nose), but not to cure the disease.
- It is imperative to inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking and any other medical conditions you have (especially heart, kidney, or stomach ulcers).
- Be aware of serious risks such as stomach bleeding and heart attack. If you notice any suspicious symptoms, seek medical advice immediately.
- If you are pregnant (especially after 20 weeks) or breastfeeding, avoid taking this medicine without consulting a doctor.
- Avoid driving and activities that require attention, as drowsiness may occur after taking the medicine.
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