Actifed: function, dosage, side effects, how to use

Use

What is the function of Actifed?

If you are looking for cough medicine, Actifed could be an option. Actifed (Tripolidine HCL and Pseudoephedrine HCL) is a drug used to reduce hay fever, allergies, or flu, usually including nasal congestion, runny nose, flu, itching of the nose and throat, and watery eyes.

The content in this drug is a combination of antihistamines and decongestants. Antihistamines themselves work by preventing symptoms such as watery eyes and sneezing. While decongestants help expel and liquefy mucus in the nose.

This drug is indeed a drug that is sold freely. If you are using this medication without your doctor's advice, read the instructions on the package before using it.

Several products have the same name but contain different ingredients for different uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are in doubt about using it.

Using cough medicine Actifed in children under 6 years of age has been shown to be ineffective. So do not use Actifed to treat flu, fever and cough in children under 6 years of age unless advised by a doctor.

How do you use Actifed?

Always use this medication according to the directions on the package, or as directed by your doctor. If you are taking it without a doctor's prescription, follow the directions on the package. Ask your doctor if you have any doubts.

If you have an upset stomach, take this medication at the same time as eating other foods. Take this medication with plenty of water unless your doctor advises you to do otherwise.

Actifed can be taken before meals or after meals and must be in accordance with the prescribed dose. However, as a medicine that can be used as a cough medicine, this Actifed bconsumed with or without food.

If you are using the liquid or syrup form of this medication, use the measuring spoon provided. Do not use a regular spoon because the dosage you are taking may not be according to the rules.

If you do not have a measuring spoon or cough medicine Actifed does not come with a measuring spoon, ask the pharmacist where you bought the medicine.

Meanwhile, if you are using the tablet version of the drug, do not crush it or chew it in the mouth because it can increase the risk of side effects from this drug. Also, do not divide it into sections unless recommended by a doctor. It is better to swallow Actifed whole without crushing or chewing it first.

The dose used for this drug is adjusted to the type of drug you are using, your age, your health condition, to the reaction to the treatment you are taking. Inappropriate use of drugs can increase side effects such as hallucinations and death.

If you are advised by your doctor to take Actifed every day, use this medicine regularly until you feel the benefits. To make it easier for you to remember when to take your medicine, use it at the same time every day.

How do I save Actifed?

Keep this medication out of reach of children and pets. Keep in the original packaging. Do not store in a temperature above 25 degrees Celsius and do not put in the refrigerator.

Keep this drug away from heat, humidity and light. Do not use this medication after the expiration date listed on the packaging. The expiration date is valid on the last day of the month stated.

Do not throw this medicine into a sewer, nor do you dispose of it by flushing down the toilet. Ask your pharmacist how to safely dispose of this drug without harming the environment.

Dose

The following information cannot be used as a substitute for a doctor's prescription. You MUST consult your doctor or pharmacist before using Actifed.

What is the active dose for adults?

The usual dose for sufferers of allergic rhinitis and flu symptoms is one tablet, taken every 4-6 hours. Do not take more than 4 doses in 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the cough medicine Actifed in the form of syrup should be taken at a dose of 10 mL once every 4-6 hours. Keep in mind that you should not take this medication for more than 4 doses in 24 hours.

What is the dose of Actifed for children?

Dosage of Actifed tablets for children with allergic rhinitis and flu symptoms:

• 6-12 years: 1/2 tablet
• 12 years and over: 1 tablet

Tablets can be taken every 4-6 hours and the maximum use is 4 doses in 24 hours.

Dosage of Actifed Syrup for children as cough medicine:

• 6-12 years: 5 ml
• 12 years and over: 10 ml

Taken every 4-6 hours, do not take more than 4 doses in 24 hours

In what form is Actifed available?

Actifed is available in tablet and syrup form.

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of Actifed?

All drugs must have a risk of causing side effects. Most of the side effects of this drug are mild and not everyone will experience them.

However, if you experience certain health problems after using this medicine, tell your doctor immediately. Side effects that may occur due to Actifed (Tripolidin HCL and Pseudoephedrine HCL) include:

Common side effects:

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Drunk and vomiting
• Sleepy
• Dry mouth, nose, or throat
• Dizzy
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Drastic mood swings

Quite rare but dangerous side effects:

• Some allergic reactions (rash, hives, swelling of the mouth, face, lips or tongue)
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing or urinating
• Fast or abnormal heartbeat
• Fever
• Hallucinations
• Headache until fainting
• Blurred eyesight
• Convulsions

This drug can also cause insomnia. It is known that as many as 30 percent of users of this drug experience insomnia and other sleep disorders. In addition, this drug can also attack the nervous system so that users can feel excessive anxiety, nervousness, tremors, and headaches.

Warning

What should I pay attention to before using Actifed?

Before using Actifed, pay attention to the following:

• Actifed might cause dizziness or drowsiness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or other things like that that can be harmful until you know the effect Actifed has on you.
• Do not use this medication for more than seven days in a row. If your condition does not improve after consuming it for seven days, consult a doctor, especially if you have a fever accompanied by a headache or rash on the skin.
• Avoid dieting or taking appetite-killing drugs while you are using Active without first consulting a doctor.
• Avoid taking this cough medicine for more than the length of time recommended by your doctor.
• Be careful taking Actifed cough medicine for the elderly because it may be that older people are more sensitive to the effects of Actifed
• Actifed is not recommended for children under 6 years without doctor's recommendation.
• Be careful when giving Actifed to children, because they can be more sensitive to the effects of this drug.
• Consult your doctor if you are also taking other medicines while taking this medicine.
• Avoid consuming alcohol or other drugs that can cause drowsiness while consuming Actifed.
• If you are going to have surgery or medical tests, tell your doctor that you are taking this drug a few days before.
• Elderly people have a higher chance of experiencing side effects when using this medicine as a cold medicine.

Is Actifed safe for pregnant and lactating women?

Taking this cough medicine during the first trimester of pregnancy can pose a risk of birth defects. Therefore, the use of this drug is not recommended when pregnant or breastfeeding.

Even so, always consult your doctor or midwife before using any medicine, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.

Also consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding. MIMS states that 0.5-0.7% of the dosage of drugs consumed by the mother will be released through the milk she produces within 24 hours.

That way, this drug can reach the baby through breast milk and the effect is still unknown. Discuss with your doctor about the effects of cough medicine Actifed on babies.

In general, the side effects of antihistamines in toddlers and newborns are more severe than in adults. Therefore, you should first discuss with your doctor, whether you should stop breastfeeding while taking Actifed, or if you stop taking Actifed.

Even though it is only as a cough medicine, you should first ask about the side effects of using Actifed during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

What medicines should not be taken at the same time as Actifed?

Actifed might interact with other drugs that you are currently using. This can change how the drug works, or even increase the chance of side effects.

To avoid these possible drug interactions, make a list of all medications you are currently taking or have recently used, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, herbal medicines, and vitamin supplements. Show this list to your doctor or pharmacist when you are prescribed it.

Remember, do not start or stop medications and change the dosage without first consulting your doctor.

This drug should not be used in conjunction with 899 types of drugs, but among the most frequently detected interactions are:

• acetaminophen
• amitriptyline
• amlodipine
• amoxillin
• aspirin
• Aspirin Low Strength
• Augmentin
• belladone / caffeine / ergotamine / pentobarbital
• benzoic acid / hyoscyamine / methenamine / methylene blue / phenyl salicylate
• Benadryl
• bisacodyl / polyethylene glycol 3350 / potassium chloride / sodium bocarbonate / sodium chloride
• bromocriptine
• ciprofoxaclin
• citalopram
• codeine
• droxidopa
• nasal fluticasone
• furazolidone
• guanethidine
• guanadrel
• ibuprofen
• lipitor
• lisinopril
• loratadine
• mecamylamine
• melatonin
• methyldopa
• mucinex
• multivitamins
• naproxen
• omeprazole
• Panadol
• Paracetamol
• prednisone
• pseudoephedrine
• ramipril
• reserpine
• sertraline
• triprolidine
• Tylenol
• Zyrtec

Are there foods and drinks that should not be consumed when using Actifed?

This medication may interact with certain foods or drinks, especially alcohol, which can change how the drug works or increase the likelihood of side effects. Talk to your doctor about any food and beverage restrictions while you are using this drug.

While using this medicine, you should avoid consuming alcohol-containing foods or drinks.

Are there certain health conditions that Actifed should avoid?

This drug may interact with several diseases and health problems. These interactions can make your disease worse, or interfere with how the medication works.

It is important to always tell your doctor about any diseases and other health problems you are experiencing before starting to use this medicine.

If you have previously had signs or symptoms or had an unsuitable reaction to this drug, or any medicine that contains pseudoephedrine or triprolidine, do not force yourself to take this drug.

Likewise, if you have high blood pressure or coronary heart disease, it is also not recommended to take Actifed.

If you have taken MAOIs or antidepressant drugs within 2 weeks, avoid using these drugs because they can increase blood pressure.

Patients with the following other health conditions should also avoid using Actifed:

• Glaucoma or increased pressure in the eye
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Narrowing of digestion
• Diabetes
• Breathing problems while sleeping
• Sleep problems
• Respiratory problems (asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis)
• Diseases of the prostate

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In an emergency or overdose situation, call 119 or rush to the nearest hospital.

The following are signs of an overdose that you can recognize, including:

• Excessive sleepiness
• Dizzy
• Ataxia or degenerative nerve disease
• Lethargy syndrome in children
• Hyperactive
• Hypotonia or decreased muscle mass in children
• Hypertension

What should I do if I forget to take medicine?

Actifed drugs that are relied on as cough medicines are usually only consumed when needed, for example when symptoms appear. Don't take it if you don't have any symptoms.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if you just remember that it is approaching the time for your next dose, just ignore the missed dose, and continue taking it as scheduled.

Do not take more than one dose at a time and do not double the dose if you forget it.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.