Health Centres - Galpseud plus
How does it work?
Galpseud plus linctus contains two active ingredients, pseudoephedrine and triprolidine.
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 can be used to relieve a blocked nose and sinus congestion associated with conditions such as nasal allergies, colds and flu.
Chlorphenamine is a type of medicine called a sedating antihistamine. It works by preventing the actions of histamine.
Histamine is a substance produced by the body as part of its defence mechanisms. It is stored in cells called mast cells, in almost all tissues of the body. When the body reacts to a foreign substance (known as an allergen, eg flower pollen, pet fur), the mast cells are stimulated by the allergen and release their stores of histamine.
The released histamine binds to its receptors (H1 receptors), causing a chain reaction that results in allergic symptoms. It causes an increase in blood flow to the area of the allergy, and the release of other chemicals that add to the allergic response. All this results in the symptoms of an allergic reaction. In nasal allergies such as hayfever, this causes inflammation of the nose, eyes and airways and results in itchy watery eyes, a runny nose, sneezing and nasal congestion.
Chlorphenamine works by blocking histamine H1 receptors. This prevents the actions of histamine, which reduces symptoms of the allergy, such as mucus production in the nose.
Chlorphenamine is called a sedating antihistamine because it enters the brain in significant quantities and causes drowsiness.
The combination of antihistamine and decongestant in Galpseud plus is used to relieve the symptoms of nasal allergies such as hayfever.
What is it used for?
- Relieving the symptoms of nasal allergies (allergic rhinitis) such as hayfever.
Warning!
- This medicine may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Alcohol should be avoided.
- Do not exceed the recommended dose of this medicine.
- If symptoms persist despite treatment, seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
Use with caution in
- Decreased liver function
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Overactive thyroid gland
- Enlarged prostate gland
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Raised pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure), eg glaucoma.
Not to be used in
- Children under 2 years of age
- Very high blood pressure
- Severe coronary heart disease
- 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.
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
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth, nose or throat
- Difficulty concentrating
- Disturbances of the gut such as indigestion, 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.
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