Sudafed linctus

How does it work?

Sudafed non-drowsy linctus contains two active ingredients, dextromethorphan and pseudoephedrine.

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, 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.

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 dextromethorphan and pseudoephedrine in this medicine is useful for relieving dry, tickly, unproductive coughs with associated nasal or sinus congestion.

What is it used for?

Dry, irritating, unproductive coughs and nasal congestion, eg associated with colds.

Warning!

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 your 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 your calf; sudden weight loss; recurrent night-time cough; or a long-term persistent cough.

Use with caution in

Asthma

Severely decreased liver function

Severely decreased kidney function

Heart disease

High blood pressure

Overactive thyroid gland

Enlarged prostate gland

Difficulty passing urine (urinary retention)

Diabetes

Raised pressure in the eye ball, eg glaucoma.

Not to be used in

Children under two years of age

Severe coronary artery disease

Very high blood pressure

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 antidepressant (MAOI) 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 fully established. As with all medicines, it should only be used during pregnancy if the expected benefit to the mother outweighs any potential risk to the developing baby. You should seek medical advice from your doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant.

Pseudoephedrine passes into breast milk in small amounts. It is not known if dextromethorphan passes into breast milk. As a result, this medicine should only be used during breastfeeding if the expected benefit to the mother outweighs any potential risk to the nursing infant. Seek medical advice from your doctor before using 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.

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

Dizziness

Restlessness

Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)

Anxiety

Increased heart rate

Rash

Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention)

False perceptions of things that are not really there (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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