A cold can be a very annoying condition, with symptoms like a runny nose, itchy eyes, and a strong cough. Sometimes, your doctor can prescribe a special syrup to help with these symptoms. Today, we're going to talk about a commonly used medication that you should be very careful with. It contains two drugs, Codeine and Chlorpheniramine.
Simply put, what happens with this medicine?
This is a combination of two medications. To be precise, this is a ``Combination`` medication. Let's see what happens with each of these medications.
- Codeine: This is a cough suppressant that belongs to the `(Opioid)` class. It can control severe coughs by reducing the activity of the cough center in our brain.
- Chlorpheniramine: This is a medicine in the category of ``Antihistamines.'' Simply put, it helps control allergy symptoms. For example, it reduces runny nose, stuffy nose, red and itchy eyes, and sneezing.
This means that this combination of medicines will control your cough as well as other annoying symptoms of colds and allergies.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
This medicine is not suitable for everyone. Therefore, it is very important that your doctor knows your complete health history before prescribing this medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
| Do you have these conditions? | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| Lung or respiratory diseases such as asthma | Because this drug can weaken breathing, it can be dangerous for people who already have breathing problems. |
| Liver or kidney disease | It can be difficult to remove the medication from the body, and side effects are likely to increase. |
| Glaucoma | This medication can increase eye pressure and worsen glaucoma. |
| A history of alcohol or drug addiction | Because codeine is an opioid drug, there is a risk of addiction. |
| Head injuries, brain tumors, or seizures | This medication can make these conditions worse. |
| Difficulty urinating (e.g., enlarged prostate) | This is likely to exacerbate the problem. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are a breastfeeding mother | Since this medication may affect the baby, a doctor should decide whether it is appropriate to use it. |
| Other medical conditions (heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid, diabetes, mental illness) | This medicine may affect other medical conditions and the medications taken for them. |
Also, don't forget to mention if you have any allergic reactions to these medications, other medications, foods, or preservatives.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
- Shake well: Since this is a suspension, you need to shake the bottle well before using it. This will help the medicine mix properly.
- Measure accurately: Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure the medicine. Do not use household teaspoons or tablespoons , as they may not measure accurately. If you do, you may get too much or too little medicine.
- With or without food: Take this with a glass of water. If you experience stomach upset or nausea, take it with a meal.
- Take it on time: Take the medicine at the prescribed time and at the prescribed intervals as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it more frequently or in excess of the prescribed dose.
What if I take too much medicine? (Overdosage)
This is very important. If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose, go to the nearest Emergency Department (ETU) immediately . Or, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . This is not something to delay.
Important: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never share it with others, especially children.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
When taking this medicine, interactions may occur with other medicines you are taking. This may increase side effects or change the way the medicine works.
| Avoid taking this medicine with these altogether | |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Dangerous conditions such as severe drowsiness, dizziness, and respiratory failure can occur. |
| MAOIs (an older class of drugs used for depression) | Very severe, even life-threatening reactions can occur. |
| Other medications that cause drowsiness (e.g., sleeping pills, anxiety medications, other cough/allergy medications) | Increases drowsiness and breathing difficulties. |
| If you are taking these, be sure to tell your doctor. | |
| Other medications for depression (e.g. Fluoxetine) | Increases the risk of side effects. |
| Antiepileptic drugs (e.g. Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital) | The effectiveness of both drugs may be affected. |
| Some medications for HIV or fungal infections | Codeine levels in the body can become dangerously high. |
This list is not complete, so it is important to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, herbs, and supplements you are taking.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
Drowsiness and dizziness
You may feel very sleepy or dizzy when taking this medicine. Therefore, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that requires alertness until you know exactly how this medicine affects you. If you are an elderly person, stand up slowly when you get up from a sitting position or out of bed. This will reduce the chance of dizziness and falling. Avoid drinking alcohol completely.
Constipation
A common side effect of codeine is constipation. To prevent this , drink plenty of water and eat more fiber-rich foods (fruits, vegetables) . If you are unable to go to the toilet for 2-3 days, talk to your doctor.
Dry mouth and eyes
If your mouth is dry, chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on sugar-free candy, or drinking water frequently may help. If you wear contact lenses, your eyes may feel dry. You can use lubricating drops for this. If these problems persist, tell your doctor.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medication, this one can have side effects. Some are minor, but others require immediate attention.
| Side effects that should be reported immediately to your doctor or ETU | |
|---|---|
| A severe allergic reaction | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Respiratory depression (CNS Depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, extreme drowsiness, loss of consciousness, difficulty staying awake. |
| Low blood pressure | Severe dizziness, fainting, blurred vision. |
| Changes in the eyes | Sudden eye pain, blurred vision, seeing rings around lights. |
| Difficulty urinating | Inability to urinate or very little urine output. |
| Tell your doctor if it persists or is bothersome. | |
| Drowsiness, dizziness | Constipation |
| Dry mouth | Headache, nausea, vomiting |
How to store and dispose of medicine safely?
- Keep out of reach of children: Keep this medicine out of reach of children and pets. It can be very dangerous if a child drinks it from their hands.
- Keep it in a safe place: This is a drug that can be abused. Therefore, keep it in a safe place that can protect it from theft.
- Disposal: It is important to properly dispose of unused or expired medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacy about drug take-back programs. If not, check the label to see if it is safe to throw in the trash. If it is safe, remove the medication from the bottle, mix it with something like used coffee grounds or soil, put it in a bag, seal it, and throw it in the trash. Never flush it down the toilet.
Take-Home Message
- This is a combination of two medications that control cough (Codeine) and reduce allergy symptoms (Chlorpheniramine).
- Use only the dose and time prescribed by your doctor. Never take more than the prescribed amount.
- It is imperative that you inform your doctor about all medical conditions you have and all other medications you are taking when taking this medicine.
- Avoid driving or operating machinery as this may cause severe drowsiness. Avoid drinking alcohol completely.
- If you experience any severe side effects such as difficulty breathing, severe dizziness, or facial swelling, seek medical advice immediately.
- Keep this medicine away from children and pets and store it in a safe place.
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