$Unique_ID{BRK02149}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{TERPIN HYDRATE AND CODEINE COMBINATION}
$Subject{terpin hydrate with codeine (various manufacturers)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


TERPIN HYDRATE AND CODEINE COMBINATION
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BRAND NAME (Manufacturer):
     terpin hydrate with codeine (various manufacturers)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Expectorant and cough suppressant
INGREDIENT:
     Sterpin hydrate and codeine
DOSAGE FORM:
     Oral elixir (85 mg terpin hydrate and 10 mg codeine per 5-ml spoonful,
       with 40% alcohol)
STORAGE:
     Terpin hydrate and codeine elixir should be stored at room temperature in
       a tightly closed, light-resistant container.  This medication should
       never be frozen.  If crystals form in the bottle, they can be dissolved
       by warming the closed container in warm water and then gently shaking
       it.

USES

     This medication is used to relieve coughs due to colds.  Terpin hydrate
is an expectorant, which is used to promote discharge of mucus from the
respiratory tract.  Codeine is a narcotic cough suppressant, which acts on the
cough reflex center in the brain.

TREATMENT

     You can take terpin hydrate and codeine elixir either on an empty stomach
or, to avoid stomach irritation, with food or milk (as directed by your
doctor).
     Each dose should be measured carefully with a specially designed 5-ml
measuring spoon.  An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate enough.
     To help loosen the mucus in the bronchi, you should drink a glass of
water after each dose.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed one as soon as
possible, unless it is almost time for the next dose.  In that case, do not
take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule.  Do
not double the next dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.  Constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, restlessness,
stomach upset, vomiting, or weakness.  These should disappear as your body
adjusts to the drug.
     If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a
sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
     To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
blurred vision; cold, clammy skin; confusion; convulsions; difficulty in
breathing; or fainting.

INTERACTIONS

     This drug interacts with several other drugs:
     1. Concurrent use of it with other central nervous system depressants
(drugs that slow the activity of the brain and spinal cord), such as alcohol,
barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, other narcotics,
pain medications, phenothiazine tranquilizers, and sleeping medications, or
with tricyclic antidepressants can lead to extreme drowsiness.
     2. Use of a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor within 14 days of use of
terpin hydrate and codeine combination can lead to serious side effects.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are
currently taking, especially any listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to terpin hydrate or codeine or to other narcotics
(such as hydrocodone, hydromorphone, meperidine, methadone, opium, oxycodone,
propoxyphene, and pentazocine).
     * Before starting to take this medication, be sure to tell your doctor if
you now have or if you have ever had asthma, brain disease, epilepsy,
gallstones or gallbladder disease, gastrointestinal disease, heart disease,
kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, mental disorders, enlarged
prostate gland, or thyroid disease.
     * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
potentially dangerous machinery.
     * While you are taking terpin hydrate and codeine combination, drink at
least eight glasses of water a day (to help loosen bronchial secretions).
     * If your cough lasts longer than seven days or if you develop other
symptoms such as a fever or sore throat, call your doctor.
     * Because this product contains codeine, it has the potential for abuse
and must be used with caution.  Tolerance may develop quickly; you should not
use it in higher doses or for longer periods than recommended by your doctor.
If you have been taking it for longer than several weeks, do not stop taking
it unless you first check with your doctor.  Stopping the drug abruptly can
lead to a withdrawal reaction (body aches, diarrhea, gooseflesh, vomiting,
restlessness, runny nose, sneezing, execessive yawning, sweating, or
trembling).  Your doctor may, therefore, want to reduce your dosage gradually.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Large amounts of
codeine taken during pregnancy can lead to addiction of the developing fetus,
resulting in withdrawal reactions in the newborn infant.  In addition, it is
wise to avoid alcohol during pregnancy.  Also, tell your doctor if you are
breast-feeding an infant.  Codeine and alcohol pass into breast milk and can
cause extreme drowsiness in the nursing infant.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
