There are some days, right? When you wake up in the morning, your body feels really bad. Your nose is stuffy, your sinuses are running, your head is heavy, you have a fever, and your body aches. So, at times like these, what we often do is buy a medicine from a pharmacy that cures all these symptoms, especially a syrup. Syrups made by combining two medicines called Ibuprofen and Pseudoephedrine are also used in such cases. But there are some things we need to be very careful about when using such medicines. Let's talk about them today.
What is this medicine called Ibuprofen and Pseudoephedrine?
Simply put, this is a combination of two types of medication.
1. Ibuprofen: This is a pain reliever and fever reducer . To be precise, it belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which we call (NSAIDs) for short. It helps reduce your body aches, headaches, and fever.
2. Pseudoephedrine: This is a decongestant . Medically speaking, it is a type of decongestant. It helps reduce stuffy nose, sinus pressure, and ear congestion.
So when these two are combined, many symptoms caused by colds, flu, or sinus problems are relieved at once.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
It is very important that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition before deciding whether this medicine is right for you. If you have any of the conditions below, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
| Health condition/problem | Description |
|---|---|
| Heart disease or high blood pressure | If you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or have recently had heart surgery. |
| Stomach ulcers or gastritis | If you have previously had a stomach ulcer or other stomach problems. |
| Kidney or liver disease | If there is any impairment in kidney or liver function. |
| Bleeding problems | If you have a blood clotting problem or a bleeding disorder. |
| Diabetes or thyroid problems | If you are diabetic or have a thyroid disease. |
| Use of MAOI medications | If you have used an MAOI (an antidepressant) within the past 14 days (e.g. Carbex, Eldepryl). |
| Pregnancy or breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
| Other allergies | If you are allergic to ibuprofen, pseudoephedrine, aspirin or other pain relievers, foods, preservatives or dyes. |
How exactly do you use this honey?
- Shake well: Shake the bottle well before use.
- Accurate measurement: Use a special cap, spoon, or dropper that comes with the medicine to measure it. Do not use household measuring spoons (teaspoons, tablespoons) , as they are not accurate. If you do, you may take too much or too little medicine.
- With or without food: This medicine can be taken with or without food. However, if you experience stomach upset or heartburn, it is best to take it after a meal.
- Do not lie down after taking the medicine: Do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking the medicine. This will help the medicine to pass easily into the stomach and prevent it from getting stuck in the throat.
- On time: Take the prescribed amount, at the time your doctor prescribes. Do not take more than the prescribed amount or take it more often.
When given to young children and the elderly
If you are giving this medicine to young children, be sure to consult a pediatrician. Although it is sometimes prescribed for children over 2 years of age, special instructions should be followed. Also, the body of people over 65 years of age may react a little more strongly to this medicine. Therefore, they may need a lower dose.
Important: If you think you have overdosed on this medicine, go to the nearest ETU (Emergency Treatment Unit) immediately . Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Some medications can be dangerous to take with this honey. Other medications can increase side effects. So tell your doctor about all the medications you take (including vitamins and traditional medicines).
| Type of medicine | Level of concern |
|---|---|
| Never take these with anything. | |
| MAOIs (medications for depression) | Medicines like Carbex, Marplan, and Nardil. |
| Cidofovir, Methotrexate, Pemetrexed | Anti-cancer and anti-viral drugs. |
| Stimulant-type medication | Stimulant medications for attention disorders, weight loss, or insomnia. |
| Be sure to tell your doctor when taking these with you. | |
| Other painkillers (NSAIDs) | Medications like aspirin and naproxen. Taking these together increases the risk of stomach ulcers. |
| Blood thinners | Medicines like warfarin and enoxaparin may increase the risk of bleeding. |
| Medications for high blood pressure and heart disease | The effectiveness of these medications may be reduced. |
| Alcohol | When taken with alcohol, the risk of stomach bleeding and liver damage increases. |
Special points to be aware of when taking the medicine
- Stomach ulcers and bleeding: This medicine can cause serious stomach ulcers and bleeding without warning . This risk is higher in people who smoke, drink alcohol, are older, or have a medical condition. See a doctor right away if you have stomach pain, vomit blood (like coffee grounds), or black stools .
- Heart attack and stroke risk: If you continue to use this medication and have heart disease, your risk of having a heart attack or stroke may be slightly increased . If you are taking aspirin to prevent heart attacks, talk to your doctor before taking this medication.
- During pregnancy: Taking this medicine between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy may harm the unborn baby. Avoid taking this medicine completely after 30 weeks .
- Skin reactions: Sometimes serious skin reactions can occur. If you develop a red/purple rash with fever, body aches, and then blisters and the skin starts to peel, seek medical advice immediately.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy or dizzy. Therefore, be careful when driving, operating machinery, and doing other tasks that require alertness.
What are the expected side effects?
| If you experience these symptoms, see a doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Serious allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Bleeding symptoms | Black or bloody stools, dark brown/red urine, and vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds. |
| Heart attack/stroke symptoms | Chest pain, shortness of breath, difficulty speaking, numbness or weakness on one side of the body. |
| Symptoms of liver/kidney damage | Yellowing of the eyes or skin, decreased urine output, dark urine, pain in the upper right side of the stomach. |
| Side effects that usually come and go | |
| Stomach discomfort | Stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, bloating, constipation or diarrhea. |
| Related to the nervous system | Headache, dizziness, restlessness, insomnia. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, please inform your doctor about them as well.
Take-Home Message
- Ibuprofen and Pseudoephedrine are a combination medicine that provides relief from many cold symptoms at once.
- Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor about all other illnesses you have and all other medicines you are taking.
- Use the measuring cup that comes with the medicine to measure it. Do not use household spoons.
- Do not take other pain relievers (NSAIDs) like Aspirin and Naproxen with this medicine. The risk of stomach ulcers is very high.
- If you experience stomach cramps, black stools, chest pain, or severe skin rash, seek medical advice immediately.
- Pregnant mothers, breastfeeding mothers, young children, and the elderly should be especially careful when taking this medicine.
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