Sometimes you suddenly start to itch, your eyes become red, you start sneezing, right? Or you have a runny nose, or your nose is blocked. Allergies like these can be very annoying in our daily lives. So, in such a situation, your doctor may prescribe a medicine called Doxylamine for you. In this article, we will talk about what you need to know about this Doxylamine chewable tablet.
What exactly is Doxylamine?
Simply put, Doxylamine is a drug that belongs to the group of drugs called antihistamines . Now you may be wondering what this histamine is. Imagine, when something allergic enters our body, our body's defense system produces a chemical in response to it. That is what is called histamine. When this histamine is produced, we experience allergy symptoms such as itching , red eyes, sneezing , and runny nose.
So, what the Doxylamine pill does is block the action of those histamines . Then those annoying allergy symptoms gradually decrease.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before your doctor prescribes this medicine, he or she should have a complete picture of your health condition. This medicine may not be compatible with some medical conditions. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to inform your doctor about it .
| Medical condition | Reason to be concerned |
|---|---|
| Glaucoma condition | This medicine may increase eye pressure. |
| Heart disease | Changes in heart rate may occur. |
| Liver disease | It may take longer for the drug to leave the body. |
| Lung diseases such as asthma | Breathing difficulties may increase. |
| Difficulty urinating or prostate problems | This situation may worsen. |
| Stomach ulcers or other gastrointestinal problems | Stomach function may be affected. |
| Pregnancy or trying to get pregnant | It is not advisable to use without medical advice. |
| Being a breastfeeding mother | The medicine can pass to the baby through milk. |
| Allergies to doxylamine or other medications or foods | To prevent an allergic reaction. |
How should I use the medicine?
Since this is a chewable tablet, it is important to chew it well before swallowing . Then swallow it with a glass of water. Take the prescribed dose, at the prescribed time, as directed by your doctor. Never take more than the recommended dose.
- If given to young children: Special care may be needed when giving this medicine to children. Therefore, be sure to ask your doctor about the appropriate dosage based on the child's age and weight.
- If you are over 65 years old: Older people may feel the effects of this medicine more strongly. Therefore, a lower dose is usually prescribed.
Attention: Overdosage
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. 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. Do not take two doses at once for any reason.
Other things that can interact with Doxylamine
When you take this medicine, it may interact with some other medicines and foods. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements ). Doxylamine can interact with these things in particular:
- Alcohol: Taking this medicine with alcohol can increase drowsiness and dizziness . This can be dangerous.
- MAOI drugs: These are a class of medications used to treat certain mental illnesses . Taking Doxylamine with these drugs may increase side effects .
- Other cold or cough medicines: These may also contain ingredients that cause drowsiness.
- Other medications that cause sleepiness: Taking these together may cause excessive drowsiness .
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
Drowsiness and dizziness
This is one of the main side effects of Doxylamine. You may feel very sleepy and dizzy . Therefore, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that requires alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Especially if you are elderly, stand up slowly when you get up from a sitting position or out of bed. Otherwise, you may feel dizzy and fall.
Dry mouth and eyes
You may feel a dry mouth while taking the medicine. You can do something about it by chewing sugar-free gum or drinking water. You may also experience dry eyes and discomfort. If you wear contact lenses, you may experience this discomfort more. You can use lubricating drops for this. If this discomfort persists, tell your doctor.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, Doxylamine can cause side effects in some people. Some of these can be serious, so it's important to be aware of them.
| Type of side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Sudden eye pain or vision changes | Blurred vision, seeing rings around lights, loss of vision. |
| Difficulty urinating | No or scanty urination. |
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| Confusion | It's hard to imagine what's going to happen. |
| Constipation | Difficulty going to the toilet. |
| Dizziness and drowsiness | Drowsiness and dizziness. |
| Dry mouth | Dry mouth. |
How to store the medicine?
Keep this medicine out of the reach of children . Store at room temperature (between 15-30 degrees Celsius), away from light and moisture. Never store in the freezer. Throw away expired medicine.
Take-Home Message
- Before taking Doxylamine, tell your doctor about all other illnesses you have and all other medications you are taking.
- Since this is a chewable tablet, chew it thoroughly before swallowing.
- This medicine can make you very drowsy, so avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving.
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking the medication.
- If you experience serious side effects such as facial swelling, changes in vision, or difficulty urinating, seek medical advice immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share it with others. Always keep it out of the reach of children.
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