You are probably familiar with the discomfort you feel when you catch a cold or have an allergy. A stuffy nose, difficulty breathing, sneezing, watery eyes, and a runny nose... How annoying is it to spend your day with these things? So, one of the medications that doctors often recommend to control these symptoms is the combination of two drugs called Dexbrompheniramine and Pseudoephedrine, which we are talking about today. Let's take a simple look at this medicine.
What is this medicine?
Simply put, this is a combination of two types of medication.
1. Dexbrompheniramine: This is a medicine that belongs to the group of medicines called `(Antihistamine)`. When our body has allergies, a chemical called `(Histamine)` is produced. This `(Histamine)` is responsible for things like sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, and runny nose. So what this medicine does is stop the action of that `(Histamine)`.
2. Pseudoephedrine: This is a medicine in the class of drugs called ``(Decongestant)''. Your nose is blocked because the small blood vessels inside your nose swell. This medicine works by shrinking those swollen blood vessels, opening up your blocked nose and making it easier to breathe.
The most important thing: This medicine only controls your symptoms. That means it doesn't kill the virus or bacteria that caused the cold. It's like holding a bucket when there's a leak in the roof. It won't stop the leak, but it will temporarily stop the floor from getting wet.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
This medicine is not suitable for everyone. Therefore, if you have any of the following medical conditions, you should definitely inform your doctor before using this medicine.
| Your health condition | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| High blood pressure | This medicine may increase blood pressure. |
| Heart disease | It can affect heart function. |
| Diabetes | Blood sugar levels may be affected. |
| Glaucoma | There is a possibility of increasing eye pressure. |
| Thyroid disease | Symptoms may worsen. |
| Prostate problems (Prostate disease) | Difficulty urinating may occur. |
| Respiratory diseases like asthma, COPD | Sometimes the disease can worsen due to thickening of the mucus. |
| Kidney disease | The medication may be difficult to remove from the body. |
| Stomach ulcers or intestinal problems | These conditions can have an impact. |
| If you have taken MAOI type medication (used for mental illness) within the past 14 days | Blood pressure can rise very severely. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | Medical advice is essential as it may affect the baby. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | The medicine can be given to the baby with milk. |
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine with a glass of water. Use as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the medicine package. Do not take more than the recommended dose.
- If given to children: Although this medicine is sometimes recommended for children over 6 years of age, your doctor should decide on this. You should be very careful when giving it to children.
- If you are over 65 years of age: Older people may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine, so a lower dose is usually recommended.
What to do if you take too much medicine? (Overdose)
If you have any suspicion that you have taken too much of this medicine, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital without delay. Alternatively, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Treat this as an emergency.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
Some medications can cause serious reactions when taken with this medicine. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies).
| Never use this with medication! | |
|---|---|
| MAOIs (some medications used for depression) | Ex: Marplan, Nardil, Parnate |
| Ergot alkaloids (some medications used for migraines) | Eg: Ergotamine, Dihydroergotamine |
| Be very careful when using these! | |
| |
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Drowsiness/Dizziness: You may feel drowsy or dizzy when taking this medicine. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know exactly how this medicine affects you. Be careful when getting up suddenly from a standing position, especially if you are elderly.
- Alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol. Alcohol can make the medication more drowsy.
- Dry mouth: It is common to experience dry mouth with this medication. This can be managed by chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on a low-sugar candy, or drinking small amounts of water frequently. If this discomfort is severe or persists, tell your doctor.
- Symptoms: If your symptoms do not improve or worsen after 7 days of taking the medication, see a doctor.
Side effects of the medicine
| Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
|---|---|
| |
| Common side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome: | |
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Take-Home Message
- This medicine is intended to control the symptoms of colds and allergies (nasal congestion, runny nose), but it does not cure the disease.
- If you have other medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or are taking other medications, be sure to tell your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Avoid driving and other activities that require alertness, as this may cause drowsiness. Avoid drinking alcohol completely.
- If you experience any severe side effects such as skin rash, difficulty breathing, or facial swelling, seek immediate medical attention.
- Never take more than the dose prescribed by your doctor. If you suspect an overdose, contact the National Poisons Information Centre or go to the ETU immediately.
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