Benylin children's coughs and colds

How does it work?

Benylin children's coughs and colds solution contains two active ingredients, dextromethorphan hydrobromide and triprolidine hydrochloride.

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 is used to block the cough reflex in situations where the cough serves no purpose. It does so by calming the part of the brain that controls the coughing reflex.

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.

The combination of triprolidine with dextromethorphan in this medicine is useful for relieving coughs associated with a cold in children. It also helps relieve symptoms such as nasal congestion and a runny nose associated with the cold. The relief from symptoms and the mild sedative effect caused by the medicine can help children to sleep undisturbed.

What is it used for?

Dry, unproductive cough and symptoms of colds in children.

Warning!

Do not exceed the recommended dose.

This medicine may cause drowsiness. If your child is affected they should avoid performing potentially hazardous activities such as riding a bike or climbing trees. Alcohol should be avoided.

If your child has any of the following symptoms you should 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.

If symptoms persist consult your doctor.

Use with caution in

Asthma

Severely decreased kidney function

Severely decreased liver function.

Not to be used in

Children under one year of age

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.

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

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

Rash

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

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.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

If your child is already taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines and those bought without a prescription, you should check with your pharmacist before giving this medicine, to ensure that the combination is safe.

There may be an increased risk of drowsiness if this medicine is taken in combination with any of the following, which can also cause drowsiness:

alcohol

benzodiazepines, eg temazepam, diazepam

other sedating antihistamines, eg chlorphenamine, diphenhydramine, promethazine (these are often found in other non-prescription cough and cold or hayfever remedies)

sleeping tablets, eg zopiclone

strong opioid painkillers, eg codeine, dihydrocodeine, morphine

tricyclic antidepressants, eg amitriptyline.

This medicine should be avoided in children already taking any of the above medicines.

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