It's a real pain when you have a cough or a cold, isn't it? Your nose is stuffy, your throat is full of mucus, and you're constantly coughing. So, at times like these, we often visit a doctor and get medicine. Today, we're going to talk about a special suspension made from three ingredients that is given at such times. In this, three different types of medicines have been combined to control your symptoms.
What kind of medicine is this?
Simply put, this is a combination of three medications. Each of them does a different job. Let's see what they are.
1. Dextromethorphan: This is a cough suppressant . It works by affecting the cough center in the brain, stopping frequent, painful coughs.
2. Guaifenesin: This is a medicine that thins mucus . Specifically, it helps to thin the thick mucus in the chest and throat, making it easier to cough up. Doctors call this an 'expectorant'.
3. Pseudoephedrine: This is a medicine that reduces nasal congestion . When you have a cold, your nose gets stuffy because the blood vessels inside your nose swell. This medicine reduces that swelling, making it easier to breathe.
The important thing is that this medicine only controls your symptoms (cough, phlegm, stuffy nose). This means that it will not cure a viral or bacterial infection that you have. It's like holding a bucket when there's a leak in the roof. Just as you need to do something different to stop the leak, you may need a different medicine to treat the infection.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
However, before giving you this medicine, your doctor should know about your health condition. Especially if you have any of the conditions below, be sure to tell them. It is very important for your safety.
- Diabetes
- Difficulty urinating (e.g. due to an enlarged prostate)
- Glaucoma
- High blood pressure or heart disease
- Liver diseases
- If you have an allergic reaction to these medications (dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, pseudoephedrine) or any other medicine, food, or coloring.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- If you are a breastfeeding mother
How should I use the medicine?
Be aware of these points when using this medicine.
- Take this medicine with a glass of water.
- Shake the bottle well before use. Since this is a suspension, particles of the medicine may settle to the bottom of the bottle. Therefore, shaking it well before drinking will ensure that you get the correct dose.
- Use the special cap or spoon that comes with the medicine to measure it. Do not use household teaspoons , as they are not accurate.
- If you feel upset after taking the medicine, take it with food or a glass of milk.
- Take the prescribed dose at the time your doctor prescribes. Never take more than the prescribed amount.
Special occasions
- Children: Special care is needed when giving this medicine to children, so be sure to talk to your pediatrician and only give it as directed.
- People over 60 years of age: Older people may feel the effects of this medicine a little stronger. Therefore, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose for you.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, do not hesitate to contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately , or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Treat this as an emergency.
Can this interact with other medications?
Yes, this is very important. This medicine can interact with some other medicines. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, traditional medicines, vitamins, and herbs. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
| Drug Interactions | |
|---|---|
| Do not take with the following medications: | |
| MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) | These are medications used to treat conditions such as depression and Parkinson's disease. (Examples: Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, Parnate). Do not take this cough medicine for at least two weeks after stopping these medications. |
| Ergot Alkaloids | Some medications used for migraines (e.g. ergotamine, dihydroergotamine). |
| Stimulant medicines | Medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), weight loss, or alertness. |
| Problems may also occur with the following medications (inform the doctor): | |
| |
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can cause side effects in some people. Some of them are serious, some are not so serious.
| Type of side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Heartbeat | Heartbeat that is too fast or irregular. |
| Psychological effects | Restlessness, fear, trembling, seeing or hearing things that are not real (hallucinations). |
| Other serious symptoms | High blood pressure, difficulty breathing, difficulty urinating, seizures, feeling unusually tired or weak. |
| Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (but tell your doctor if they persist or are bothersome): | |
| |
What else should you be careful about when taking the medicine?
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they worsen, tell your doctor. Also, if you have trouble sleeping at night after taking this medicine, take the last dose of the day a few hours before bedtime. The doctor also advises that you drink plenty of water while taking this medicine to help thin out mucus and make it easier to cough up.
Take-Home Message
- Always take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, and only in the prescribed dose.
- Use only the special measuring cup or spoon that comes with the medicine to measure it.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins you are taking, and any medical conditions you have.
- If you experience any serious side effects (such as skin rash, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat), seek medical advice immediately.
- Remember that this medicine only controls symptoms, but does not cure the infection.
- Always store medicines in a safe place, out of the reach of small children.
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