When you have a bad cough, a stuffy nose, watery eyes, and a really bad cold, you go to the doctor and sometimes they can give you this kind of medicine. This is not one medicine, but a combination of three medicines. So before taking this medicine, let's know exactly what it contains, what it does to the body, and what special precautions we need to take. Because this is a medicine that needs to be used with some care.
Simply put, what is this medicine?
This is actually a combination of three medications. To be precise, it's like a 'cocktail.' Each medication controls your cold, allergy, or flu symptoms in a different way.
- Codeine: This is the main and slightly harsh ingredient in this. It belongs to a class of drugs called opioids . Simply put, it works by weakening the cough signal to the brain, stopping the cough. This can make you feel a little drowsy.
- Dexchlorpheniramine: This is an antihistamine . This is what controls the runny nose, red, itchy eyes, and sneezing that you get when you have an allergy.
- Phenylephrine: This is a decongestant . It works by constricting the blood vessels inside the nose, reducing nasal congestion and mucus buildup.
So when all three of these are combined, you get a solution to a lot of symptoms like your cough, runny nose, stuffy nose, and itchy eyes all at once.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
This is the most important part. This medicine does not work for everyone. Before your doctor prescribes this medicine for you, he/she should be aware of any other medical conditions you have. Because some of the ingredients in this medicine may interact with those diseases. So if you have any of the conditions below, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Condition category | See if you have these conditions |
|---|---|
| Heart and blood pressure | Heart disease, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, heart rhythm disorders. |
| Brain and mental health | A history of a brain tumor, head injury, seizures, mental illness, or drug or alcohol addiction. |
| Internal organs | Kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, pancreatic disease, gallbladder disease, thyroid problems, Addison's disease. |
| Respiratory and digestive system | Lung or respiratory diseases such as asthma, stomach or intestinal problems. |
| Other situations | Glaucoma, prostate problems, difficulty urinating, and frequent alcohol consumption. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
| Allergies | If you are allergic to Codeine, Dexchlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine or any other medicine, food, or dye. |
| Use of special medications | If you have taken a medicine from the MAOI group (e.g. Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, Parnate) within the last 14 days. |
How should I use the medicine?
- Take exactly as your doctor tells you: Follow the dosage and timing exactly as prescribed. Do not take more than the prescribed amount or more often than prescribed.
- With or without food: This can be taken before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset or nausea, it is best to eat and drink some food.
- Measure accurately: Use only the special spoon, cup, or dropper that comes with the medicine, marked in milliliters (ml). Do not use the teaspoons or tablespoons you find in your kitchen, as they are not accurate. Always measure and rinse the cup or spoon with water after each use.
- Do not give to children: This medicine is not approved for use in children. Therefore, do not give it to children without special advice from a doctor.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you suspect you have taken an overdose, contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately. Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Do not delay.
The doctor prescribed this medicine only for you. Do not give it to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
You need to be very careful when taking this medicine, other medications, and certain foods and drinks. This medicine can react with some things and cause dangerous conditions.
| Do not take these with this medicine! | |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Other antihistamines or decongestants for coughs and colds |
| Some medications for depression, anxiety, or sleep | MAOIs (if taken within the past 14 days) |
| Other types of opioids for pain or cough | General anesthetics for surgery |
Not only this, but it can interact with a number of other medications. For example:
- Some medications for HIV or hepatitis
- Antifungal medication
- Some types of antibiotics
- Medication for irregular heartbeat
- Medications for Parkinson's disease
Therefore, it is essential to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking (including vitamins and traditional medicines).
Things to consider when taking medication
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel very drowsy and dizzy. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery while taking this medicine. Be careful when getting up suddenly from a sitting position, especially if you are elderly. Otherwise, you may feel dizzy and fall.
- Tolerance: When you use this for a long time, your body may become accustomed to the medicine (Tolerance). Then the cough will not be reduced as before. Also, if you stop taking the medicine suddenly, it may be difficult for your body. Therefore, you should stop taking it gradually, as your doctor tells you.
- Constipation: The codeine in this medicine may cause constipation. This is normal. Drink plenty of water and eat fiber-rich foods (fruits and vegetables). If you have not gone to the toilet for 2-3 days, talk to your doctor.
- Dry mouth and dry eyes: If you feel dry mouth, chew sugar-free gum and drink water. If your eyes feel uncomfortable or dry (especially if you wear contact lenses), you can use lubricating drops. If the problem persists, seek medical advice.
What are the possible side effects?
Like all medications, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Type of side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Central nervous system depression (CNS depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, excessive sleepiness, confusion. |
| Heart problems | Rapid heartbeat, palpitations, increased or decreased blood pressure (dizziness, blue eyes). |
| Eye problems | Sudden eye pain, blurred vision, and seeing rings around lights. |
| Other | Difficulty urinating, decreased adrenal gland function (nausea, vomiting, extreme fatigue). |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Common side effects | Drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, headache, nausea, vomiting, insomnia. |
How to store and dispose of medicine safely?
- Safety: Keep this medicine in a safe place out of reach of children and pets . Since this medicine has the potential for abuse, keep it in a place that can be protected from theft.
- Storage: Store at room temperature (between 15-30 Celsius) away from light.
- Disposal: If the medicine is no longer needed or has expired, it is very important to dispose of it properly.
- Some pharmacies have programs to accept unwanted medications. Ask about them.
- If that's not possible, check the label to see if the medicine is safe to throw in the trash. If you're going to throw it in the trash, remove the syrup from the bottle, mix it with something like used coffee grounds, cat litter, or soil, put it in a sealable bag, and throw it in the trash. This is safer than throwing it straight out of the bottle.
Take-Home Message
- This is a combination of three medications. So keep in mind that this is a bit of a strong medicine.
- Never take more than the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking (including vitamins and Ayurvedic medicines).
- This medicine may cause drowsiness, so avoid driving or performing tasks that require alertness.
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medicine.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as difficulty breathing, excessive drowsiness, or skin rashes, seek medical advice immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Do not give it to anyone else.
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