Actifed dry coughs

How does it work?

Multi-action Actifed dry coughs is a liquid containing three active ingredients, dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine and triprolidine.

Dextromethorphan is a type of medicine called a cough suppressant. It is used to suppress a dry, tickly, unproductive cough.

Coughing is a reflex response to irritation of the airways. It is useful for clearing mucus, dust and other particles from the throat and lungs. It is important because it reduces the amount of mucus, dust and bacteria in the airways that would otherwise make breathing difficult. However, sometimes, coughing can become overstimulated even when there is no mucus to clear from the lungs or throat. In this situation coughing serves no purpose and can become painful and frustrating.

Dextromethorphan can be used to block the cough reflex in situations where the cough serves no purpose, ie when no plegm is being coughed up. It works by reducing the nerve signals sent from a part of the brain called the coughing centre to the muscles that produce coughing.

Triprolidine is a type of medicine called a sedating antihistamine. It enters the brain in sufficient quantities to cause drowsiness, and this sedative effect may also help suppress a cough.

Nasal mucus can often be the cause of cough in a cold, because it drips down the back of the throat, causing irritation. Triprolidine also drys nasal secretions, by stopping a natural body chemical called histamine from binding to its receptors. Histamine is a chemical produced naturally by the body that has many effects, including the production of allergic symptoms, such as a runny nose. Blocking histamine receptors prevents the actions of histamine, which reduces the production of mucus in the nose.

Pseudoephedrine is a type of medicine called a decongestant. It works by acting on alpha receptors that are found in the walls of blood vessels in the linings of the nasal passages and sinuses. It causes these blood vessels to contract and narrow, thereby decreasing blood flow into the linings of the nose and sinuses. This reduces the feeling of congestion and also reduces the production of mucus.

Pseudoephedrine also has a weak effect on receptors in the lungs called beta 2 receptors. By acting on these receptors it causes the muscles in the airways to relax. This allows the airways to open, making breathing easier.

The combination of active ingredients in this medicine is useful for relieving dry, irritating coughs, particularly those associated with a cold. It also helps relieve symptoms such as nasal congestion and a runny nose associated with the cold.

What is it used for?

Dry, tickly, unproductive coughs, runny nose and nasal congestion associated with colds.

Warning!

This medicine may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Alcohol should be avoided.

Do not exceed the recommended dose. If symptoms persist consult your doctor.

If you have any of the following symptoms you should not take this medicine and consult your doctor so that the cough can be investigated further: coughing up phlegm that is green, rusty brown, yellow, blood-stained or foul smelling; shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; chest pain; pain and swelling in the calf; sudden weight loss; recurrent night-time cough; or a long-term persistent cough.

Use with caution in

Decreased kidney function

Decreased liver function

Heart disease

High blood pressure

Overactive thyroid gland

Enlarged prostate gland

Diabetes

Raised pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure), eg glaucoma

Asthma.

Not to be used in

Children under two years of age

Very high blood pressure

Severe coronary heart disease

Chronic bronchitis

Condition called bronchiectasis, in which there is persistent widening of the airways as a result of lung disease, eg infection, inflammation, tumours or cystic fibrosis

People who have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)antidepressant (eg phenelzine, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine or moclobemide) in the last 14 days.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. It should not be used by pregnant women unless your doctor thinks the potential benefits outweigh any possible risks to the developing baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine passes into breast milk in small amounts. The effect on a nursing baby is not known. As with all medicines, you should seek medical advice from your doctor before taking this medicine if you are breastfeeding.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Drowsiness

Disturbed sleep

Increased heart rate

Dry mouth, nose or throat

Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Anxiety

Restlessness

Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention)

Skin rash

Hallucinations

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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