Promethazine+pholcodiene
About Promethazine+pholcodiene
Pholcodiene+promethazine belongs to a group of medicines known as an 'antitussive agent (prevent or relieve a cough)', primarily taken for the treatment of dry cough and allergic symptoms. Dry cough, also known as a nonproductive cough, doesn’t produce phlegm or mucus. Cough can be caused by allergies or throat irritants, viral illnesses such as colds and flu. Allergy is the immune system response to foreign elements typically not harmful to the body. Foreign elements are known as 'allergens'.
Pholcodiene+promethazine contains two medicines namely: Promethazine and Pholcodine. Promethazine is an H1 antagonist that blocks the action of a chemical messenger (histamine) which is responsible to trigger cough due to allergy. On the other hand, Pholcodine is a cough suppressant that suppresses cough by reducing the activity of the cough center in the brain.
Take Pholcodiene+promethazine as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Pholcodiene+promethazine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience nausea, vomiting, constipation, sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, breathlessness. Most of these side effects of Pholcodiene+promethazine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Before starting Pholcodiene+promethazine, please inform your doctor if you have any allergy (against any antibiotic), kidney or liver problems. Do not take Pholcodiene+promethazine on your own as self-medication may lead to more side effects. Pholcodiene+promethazine should be used with caution in pregnant and breastfeeding females. The dosage of Pholcodiene+promethazine should be reduced in elderly persons. Pholcodiene+promethazine is not allowed to use in children less than 6 years old.
Uses of Promethazine+pholcodiene
Medicinal Benefits
Pholcodiene+promethazine is a combination of two drugs, namely: Promethazine (antihistamine) and Pholcodine (cough suppressant). Promethazine belongs to the class of antihistamines or anti-allergic that works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. It helps to provide relief from symptoms of allergy such as sneezing, running nose, watery eyes, itching, swelling and congestion or stiffness. On the other hand, Pholcodine belongs to the class of cough suppressants that works by blocking the transmission of nerve signals from the cough center in the brain to the muscles that produce cough. Thus, together Pholcodiene+promethazine helps to relieve overall cough, cold and allergic symptoms.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Promethazine+pholcodiene
- Dry mouth, throat or nose
- Drowsiness
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Restlessness or excitation
- Severe difficulty in breathing
Drug Warnings
Avoid using Pholcodiene+promethazine if you have taken medicines such as linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, rasagiline, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine and methylene blue injection in the past 14 days. Drink plenty of fluids while taking Pholcodiene+promethazine to loosen mucus. Persons who have a history of drug abuse should use Pholcodiene+promethazine with caution as it may cause unwanted side effects. It is advised to seek medical help if the cough does not go away or if it is followed by high fever, skin rash or persistent headache. Pholcodiene+promethazine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision in some patients that may affect the ability to drive. Pholcodiene+promethazine should not be used in elderly patients with confusion. Pholcodiene+promethazine contains sorbitol so it should be avoided in patients with problems of fructose intolerance.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Pholcodiene+promethazine may interact with antipsychotic (Haloperidol, Chlorpromazine, Clozapine), antibiotic (Ciprofloxacin), antidepressants (Amitriptyline) antianxiety (alprazolam).
Drug- Food Interaction: Avoid intake of alcohol with Pholcodiene+promethazine as it may cause increased dizziness, drowsiness, and lack of concentration.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have any breathing problems, a history of asthma, hypersensitivity, liver/kidney problem, inform your doctor before taking Pholcodiene+promethazine.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Pholcodiene+promethazine as it may increase drowsiness. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Pholcodiene+promethazine.
Pregnancy
cautionPholcodiene+promethazine is not recommended during pregnancy unless your doctor considers it essential. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Breast Feeding
cautionPholcodiene+promethazine is not recommended during breast-feeding. However, your doctor may prescribe it for you during breast-feeding if he/she feels that the benefit to you outweighs the risk. You should not take Pholcodiene+promethazine without your doctor's advice.
Driving
cautionPholcodiene+promethazine may cause tiredness and drowsiness in some people. Therefore, drive only if you are alert after taking Pholcodiene+promethazine.
Liver
cautionPholcodiene+promethazine is advised to be taken with caution, especially if you have or have had a history of liver disease. Your doctor will have to change the dosage depending on your medical condition and your reaction to treatment.
Kidney
cautionPholcodiene+promethazine is not recommended in patients with chronic kidney disease (severe renal impairment). The safety and effectiveness in patients with severe renal impairment have not been established. Used with caution only when prescribed by a doctor.
Children
cautionPholcodiene+promethazine is not recommended for children below 2 years of age. Pholcodiene+promethazine should not be used in children unless prescribed by a child specialist.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Some anti-inflammatory compounds in ginger can relax membranes in the airways, which could reduce coughing.
- Staying hydrated is vital for those with a cough or cold. Drinking liquids at room temperature can alleviate cough, runny nose and sneezing.
- The immune system is affected by stress and raises the risk of being sick. An individual can exercise regularly, meditate, do deep breathing and try progressive muscle relaxation techniques to relieve stress.
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
- Gargle with salt water for relief from sore throat.
- Eat plenty of foods rich in good bacteria like yogurt to improve overall health.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol with Pholcodiene+promethazine as it may cause tiredness, drowsiness or lack of concentration.
Special Advise
- Do not use Pholcodiene+promethazine only to make a child sleepy.
- Contact a doctor if your symptoms do not improve even after 7 days.
- Contact a doctor immediately if you develop fever, rash or headaches after taking Pholcodiene+promethazine.
- If you are about to undergo any medical tests or surgery, please inform your doctor that you are taking Pholcodiene+promethazine.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Cough: Coughing is a body’s way of clearing irritants (like allergens, mucus, or smoke) from airways and preventing infection. Coughs may be dry or productive. A productive cough (wet cough) brings up sputum (phlegm, mucus, and other matter) from the lungs. Cough is commonly caused as a response to allergy or viral infection but coughing up mucus is possibly an indication of infection in the respiratory tract. If you are coughing out thick, solid white mucus, it indicates that you may have a bacterial infection in the airways. Clear or light-coloured mucus indicates allergies or minor infection in the respiratory tract and a yellow or green mucus indicates a respiratory infection.
Allergy: It is an immune system response to foreign elements typically not harmful to the body. These foreign elements are known as 'allergens'. Allergic condition varies from person to person. Some might be allergic to certain foods and seasonal allergies like hay fever. At the same time, others might be allergic to pollen or pet dander. One of the symptoms of allergy is cough. Coughing occurs as a reflex action in the throat when there is mucus or any other foreign irritant in it.
FAQs
Pholcodiene+promethazine is used to treat dry cough and allergic symptoms.
Pholcodiene+promethazine contains sucrose it should be used with caution in diabetic patients or persons who have fructose intolerance. Consult your doctor and explain him about your medical history, he may suggest a sugar free alternative.
If cough persists for longer duration after using of Pholcodiene+promethazine, please consult your doctor immediately, your doctor may examine and suggest other medication.
It is advised not to take Pholcodiene+promethazine if you have medical conditions like glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, urination problems, cough with mucus or cough caused by smoking. Consult with your doctor before taking Pholcodiene+promethazine in such conditions.
It is advised not to take Pholcodiene+promethazine if you have used MAO inhibitor (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection,) in the past 14 days as it may cause changes in mental status and increase blood pressure.
Pholcodiene+promethazine may be used to provide relief from allergic symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, throat irritation or watery eyes. Pholcodiene+promethazine contains Pholcodiene, an anti-allergic drug that works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions.
It has been reported that Pholcodiene+promethazine may cause dry mouth as a temporary side effect in some people. It is not necessary for everyone taking Pholcodiene+promethazine to experience this side effect. However, to avoid such side effects, drink plenty of water, regularly rinse your mouth, practice good oral hygiene and suck on sugarless candy. However, if the condition persists or worsens, please consult a doctor.
You are recommended to take Pholcodiene+promethazine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. However, if the symptoms persist or worsen with rash, fever or persistent headache after 1 week of using Pholcodiene+promethazine, please consult your doctor.
It is advised to you not to stop taking Pholcodiene+promethazine without consulting your doctor as it may worsen cough or cause recurring symptoms. Therefore, take Pholcodiene+promethazine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it and if you experience any difficulty while taking Pholcodiene+promethazine, please consult your doctor.
Yes, Pholcodiene+promethazine can make you feel sleepy or tired. This effect is primarily due to the presence of promethazine, which has sedative properties. Therefore, take some rest and avoid activities like driving, operating heavy machinery or activities that requires mental alertness until you know how Pholcodiene+promethazine affects you.
No, taking a larger dose of Pholcodiene+promethazine than prescribed will not be more effective but could be harmful. Overdosing of Pholcodiene+promethazine can increase the risk of toxicity and side effects. Therefore, follow your doctor's dosage instructions carefully.
No, it is not advisable to give Pholcodiene+promethazine before your child's sports event. Since it can cause drowsiness and dizziness which might affect your child's performance and alertness during the event.
Pholcodiene+promethazine is generally not recommended for children with asthma. It contains promethazine and pholcodiene, which can cause drowsiness and may not be suitable for young children, especially those with respiratory conditions like asthma. Therefore, consult your doctor for a medication that is safe and effective for managing their asthma symptoms.
You should call your child's doctor right away if your child experiences severe drowsiness, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent or severe headache, seizures or uncontrollable jerking of limbs.
Pholcodiene+promethazine can cause drowsiness, but using them specifically to induce sleep is not advisable, especially in young children. Therefore, consult your doctor for safer and more appropriate options to help your child sleep.
Store Pholcodiene+promethazine at a room temperature in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.
The common side effects of Pholcodiene+promethazine are nausea, vomiting, constipation, sleepiness, dizziness, confusion or breathlessness. If any of these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
