There are days when you can't get anything done because of a persistent cough, runny nose, and red, itchy eyes. Today, we're going to talk about a type of medicine that a doctor will prescribe to help you manage the symptoms of a cold, allergies, or the flu.
So, what is this medicine?
Simply put, this is a combination of two medications. One is a cough suppressant (Dextromethorphan) and the other is an allergy reliever (Promethazine) . When these two are combined, they not only reduce your cough, but also provide relief from things like a stuffy nose, runny nose, and red, itchy eyes. This is a combination of two classes of medications: a cough suppressant and an antihistamine.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before your doctor prescribes this medicine, you should definitely inform him about any underlying medical conditions or problems you have. Do not hide these things, as they are very important for your safety.
| Do you have these conditions? |
|---|
| Diabetes |
| Glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye) |
| Heart disease |
| Liver disease |
| Lung or respiratory diseases, for example asthma |
| Parkinson's disease |
| Prostate problems (Prostate disease) |
| If you have had seizures before |
| Stomach or intestine problems |
| Trouble passing urine |
| Low blood counts |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant |
| If a mother is breastfeeding her child |
| If you have an allergic reaction to these drugs or other medicines, foods, or dyes |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
This medicine usually comes in the form of a syrup.
- Drink this with a glass of water.
- Most importantly: Use only the special cup, spoon, or measuring cup that comes with the medicine. Do not measure with the teaspoons or tablespoons that you find in your kitchen. They are not accurate.
- Take only the prescribed dose as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it too often or in excess.
Special information about children and adults
This medicine is strictly prohibited for children under 2 years of age. If you are giving it to children, be sure to talk to your doctor about it. Special care may be required.
If you are over 65 years old, your body may react more strongly to this medicine, so you may need a lower dose.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately . Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice. Do not take this lightly.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
It is very important to tell your doctor about any other medications, vitamins, or anything else you are taking, as some things can interact with this medicine and cause adverse effects.
| Do not take these with anything. |
|---|
| MAOIs (e.g. Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, Parnate) are a class of medications used to treat depression. |
| There may also be problems with taking these. |
| Alcohol or alcohol-containing products |
| Other medicines for allergies, coughs and colds (Antihistamines) |
| Medication for anxiety or sleep |
| Some medications for depression (e.g. amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline) |
| Medication for high blood pressure |
| Painkillers (especially narcotics) |
| Anesthetic medication for surgery |
| Some medications for seizures |
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel very drowsy and dizzy . Therefore, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything that requires alertness while taking this medicine.
- Alcohol: Taking this medication with alcohol can increase drowsiness and dizziness. Therefore, avoid alcohol completely while taking this medication.
- Changing positions: Don't go from standing to sitting suddenly. Especially if you're elderly, change positions slowly. Otherwise, you could get dizzy and fall.
- Sun sensitivity: This medication may make your skin a little more sensitive to the sun. So if you are going to be in the sun, wear clothing that covers your skin and use sunscreen.
Possible side effects
Like any medication, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| 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, severe dizziness, loss of consciousness, inability to stay alert. |
| Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome | High fever, muscle stiffness, excessive sweating, fast or irregular heartbeat, confusion. |
| Eye problems | Sudden eye pain, blurred vision, seeing rings around lights. |
| Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) | Uncontrolled movements of body parts, muscle tension, tremors, loss of balance, restlessness. |
| Things to tell your doctor if they are usually not serious, but persist | |
| Drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, fatigue. | |
How to store the medicine?
- Keep out of reach of children and pets .
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius) away from light.
- Be sure to throw away any medicine left over after the expiration date.
Take-Home Message
- This medicine is for you only. Do not share your medicine with others.
- Always use the correct measuring cup that comes with the medicine to measure it.
- Avoid giving to children under 2 years of age.
- Completely avoid drinking alcohol and driving while taking this medicine.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking and any medical conditions you may have.
- If a serious side effect occurs, seek medical advice immediately or go to the ETU .
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