Constantly stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing... At times like these, many of us go to the pharmacy and ask for a "sinus spray," right? In fact, many of the "sinus sprays" we call "sinus sprays" contain a combination of the two medications we are talking about today. That is the combination of Chlorpheniramine and Phenylephrine . Although this is a very commonly used medication, it is very important to know exactly about it and use it correctly. So let's talk about this in a little more depth today.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, this medicine is a combination of two types of medication.
1. Chlorpheniramine: This is an antihistamine . Imagine, when we have an allergy, our body produces a chemical called histamine. That histamine is what causes itchy eyes and nose, sneezing, and runny nose. What this antihistamine does is stop the action of that histamine. It's like turning off an alarm that goes off at an unnecessary time.
2. Phenylephrine: This is a decongestant . When we have a cold, the small blood vessels inside our nose swell, causing our nose to become blocked. This medicine works by shrinking those swollen blood vessels, reducing nasal congestion, and making it easier to breathe.
The most important thing is that this medicine only controls the symptoms of colds, allergies, and sinus infections. It never kills the virus or bacteria that caused the illness. This means it is not a cure for an infection.
Things you should tell your doctor before taking medication
Before deciding whether this medication is right for you, you should definitely tell your doctor if you have any of these health conditions.
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Difficulty urinating or enlarged prostate
- Glaucoma
- High blood pressure or any type of heart disease
- The genetic condition Phenylketonuria
- Thyroid diseases
- If you have an allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicine, food, or preservative.
- This is especially important if you are pregnant , trying to get pregnant , or breastfeeding .
Telling your doctor without hiding this information will go a long way in protecting you from unwanted side effects.
How exactly do you use this?
Since this comes as a syrup or liquid, it is important to know exactly how to use it.
- Take this medicine with a glass of water.
- If you experience stomach upset or heartburn after taking the medicine, take it with a meal or a glass of milk.
- This is the most important thing: Do not use the teaspoons or tablespoons you find in your kitchen to measure your medicine. They are not accurate. Use only the special measuring plastic spoon, cup, or dropper that comes with the medicine bottle.
- Take only the amount (dose) prescribed by the doctor, at the time prescribed. Don't go and drink frequently just because you think it's too much.
Be especially careful when giving to young children and the elderly.
- Children: This medicine is strictly prohibited for babies under 2 years of age. A doctor may recommend it for children between 2 and 6 years of age in some special cases, but this should be done with great caution. Therefore, never give this medicine to young children without consulting a pediatrician.
- Elderly: People over 60 years of age may feel the effects of this medicine a little stronger. They are also more likely to experience side effects. Therefore, they are usually prescribed a lower dose.
What to do if you overdose on medicine?
If you think you or someone in your family has taken too much of this medicine, that is, more than the prescribed dose, don't panic and take action immediately.
Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately . Or, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice. Do not take this lightly.
What are the things that should not be taken with this medicine?
Some medications can react with Chlorpheniramine and Phenylephrine and cause dangerous conditions. Therefore, inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
| Type of medicine / substance | Description |
|---|---|
| MAOI type medication | These are special medications given for diseases such as depression. (Example: Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, Parnate). Taking this honey with these is strictly prohibited . |
| Alcohol | Taking this medication with alcohol can cause excessive drowsiness and dizziness. Therefore, avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medication. |
| Sleeping pills | Taking these two medications together can cause excessive drowsiness. |
| Medication for mental illness | It can interact with medications used to treat conditions such as depression and anxiety. |
| Other cold medicines | Other cold medicines may contain these same ingredients, which can increase the dosage and cause side effects. |
Side effects that can be expected when taking the medicine
Like any medicine, this one can cause side effects in some people. Some of them are serious, some of them are common.
| Side effect |
|---|
| Notify your doctor immediately if: |
|
| Tell your doctor if it persists or is bothersome: |
|
Remember, this medicine may make you feel drowsy and dizzy . Therefore, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that requires alertness until you know exactly how it affects you. Especially if you are elderly, do not get up suddenly from a sitting or standing position. Doing so may cause dizziness and fall.
Take-Home Message
- Chlorpheniramine; Phenylephrine is a medicine that controls the symptoms of colds and allergies (runny nose, stuffy nose), but it is not a medicine that kills the germs that cause the disease.
- Do not measure out medicine with a teaspoon at home. Always use the correct measuring cup that comes with the medicine.
- Do not give this to babies under 2 years of age. If you are giving it to children older than that, be sure to consult a doctor and give it exactly as he or she recommends.
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medicine. Also, avoid driving as it may make you drowsy.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal products).
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