Sometimes, a cough and a runny nose that come with a cold can be so annoying, right? You can't breathe properly, you can't sleep at night, and your head feels heavy. At times like these, your doctor may prescribe a special medicine for you. Today, we're talking about one such powerful medicine, a medicine made from a combination of two drugs called hydrocodone and pseudoephedrine.
What really happens with this medicine?
This is a combination of two types of medication. Simply put:
- Hydrocodone: This is used to control your cough. This is a slightly stronger cough suppressant.
- Pseudoephedrine: This works by constricting the blood vessels inside your nose, reducing nasal congestion.
When these two are combined, you get instant relief from your cough and nasal congestion. Doctors usually prescribe this for these symptoms that come with a cold or other respiratory infection.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before you use this medicine, it is very important that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition. This medicine may not be compatible with some medical conditions. If you have any of the medical conditions below, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
- Hormone problems, such as Addison's disease .
- Diabetes .
- If you have previously been addicted to drugs or other medications .
- Glaucoma is a condition in which pressure in the eyes increases.
- An accident or injury to the head .
- Heart disease or high blood pressure .
- If you have used MAOI medications (a type of medication used to treat conditions such as depression) within the past 14 days .
- Kidney disease or liver disease .
- Lung or breathing problems, such as asthma .
- If you have difficulty urinating .
- Stomach or intestinal problems .
- Problems related to the functioning of the thyroid gland (Thyroid disease) .
- If you have an allergy to the ingredients of this medicine or any other medicine, food, or preservative.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
- If you are a mother who is breastfeeding .
It is very important for your own safety to tell the doctor this information without hiding it.
How exactly do you use this medicine?
Because this is a powerful medicine, it is very important to use it exactly as the doctor tells you.
- Correct measurement: Take only the dose prescribed by your doctor. Use only the special measuring cup, spoon, or syringe that comes with the medicine to measure it. Do not use teaspoons or tablespoons that you find in your kitchen. They are not accurate.
- Before or after food?: You can take this medicine with or without food. However, if you experience stomach upset or heartburn, it is better to take the medicine with some food.
- On time: Take your medicine at the prescribed times, every hour, as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more or more often than prescribed.
- Not suitable for children: This medicine is not approved for use in children . Therefore, never give it to children without the advice of a doctor.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have overdosed, take immediate action . If possible, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Otherwise, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. This is not something to delay.
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 a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Other drugs that are incompatible with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
This medicine may interact with some other medicines, which can cause dangerous side effects. So tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies).
If you are using the medications listed in the table below, be especially careful.
| Drug category | Description and examples |
|---|---|
| Taking these with Hydrocodone; Pseudoephedrine is very dangerous. | |
| Alcohol | Drinking any type of alcohol can cause excessive drowsiness, breathing difficulties, and even death. |
| MAOI-type drugs | Medications for depression such as Carbex, Marplan, Nardil, Parnate. Do not take Hydrocodone; Pseudoephedrine for 14 days after stopping these. |
| Other intoxicating drugs | Other strong painkillers, cough syrups, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers. |
| Ask your doctor about these as they can also cause problems. | |
| Allergy and cold medications (Antihistamines) | Drugs that cause drowsiness, such as pyrithione. |
| Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease | Tell your doctor about the medications you are taking. |
| Some antibiotics and antifungals | Eg: Clarithromycin, Erythromycin, Ketoconazole. |
| Caffeine and other stimulants | Coffee, tea, and some medications that are given to help you concentrate. |
This list is not complete, so it's best to tell your doctor about all the medications you take.
Be careful of these things when taking medicine.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel very sleepy and dizzy . Therefore, do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking this medicine. Be careful when getting up from a sitting position, especially if you are elderly.
- Alcohol: It is very dangerous to consume alcohol while taking this medication. It can increase side effects.
- Tolerance: When you use this medicine for a long time, its cough-relieving properties may gradually decrease. This is called `tolerance`. If your symptoms do not improve, tell your doctor. Do not increase the dose of the medicine without consulting your doctor.
- Stopping the medication: It is not a good idea to stop taking this medication suddenly after using it for a long time. Doing so may cause withdrawal symptoms. If your doctor wants you to stop taking the medication, he or she will tell you how to gradually reduce the dose.
- Constipation: Constipation is a common side effect of this medication. If you do not have a bowel movement after 2-3 days, talk to your doctor. Drinking plenty of water and eating fiber-rich foods (fruits, vegetables) can help.
- Dry mouth: You may feel like your mouth is dry. This can be controlled by chewing sugar-free gum and drinking plenty of water.
What side effects can be expected?
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Serious side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the lips, face, tongue. |
| Difficulty breathing | Breathing is slow or shallow. |
| Confusion | Loss of memory, loss of place and time. |
| Changes in heart rate | Chest pain, dizziness, fast or irregular heartbeat. |
| Symptoms of low blood pressure | Dizziness, fainting, feeling unusually tired. |
| Difficulty urinating | Difficulty urinating or decreased/changed urine output. |
| Common side effects that you should tell your doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| Anxious | Feeling strange and uneasy. |
| Constipation | Dry stomach. |
| Nausea and vomiting | Feeling sick or vomiting. |
| Tiredness | Feeling tired. |
| Insomnia | Difficulty sleeping at night. |
How to protect and remove the medicine?
Because this is a powerful medicine, it is very important to protect it.
- Keep out of reach of children: Do not leave this medicine where children can reach it or see it . Accidental ingestion by other adults, children, or pets can be fatal.
- Protect against theft: This medicine can be misused by some people. Therefore, keep it well closed and in a safe place .
- Do not share: This medicine is prescribed for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason. Doing so is against the law and can be dangerous to the other person's life.
- Disposal: Don't just throw leftover, expired medicine in the trash. If possible, mix the leftover medicine with something like coffee grounds or cat litter, put it in a tightly sealed container or sealable bag, and dispose of it with the trash.
Take-Home Message
- Take the dose exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the right time. Never increase the dose.
- Use only the special measuring cup or spoon that comes with the medicine to measure it.
- Avoid driving and activities that require alertness while taking this medication, as you may experience excessive drowsiness.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking (including vitamins and traditional medicines).
- Keep this medicine in a safe place, out of the reach of children and pets.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never share it with others.
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