Description

Acodin is a medicinal product used to temporarily suppress non-productive cough.

Composition

The active substance is dextromethorphan hydrobromide ( Dextromethorphani hydrobromidum ).

Each tablet contains 15 mg of dextromethorphan hydrobromide.

Excipients: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, potato starch, povidone 90F, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, magnesium stearate.

Dosage

Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you and as described in this patient information leaflet.

Usual dose:

Adults and children over 12 years of age: 1 tablet every 4 hours or 2 tablets every 6-8 hours.

Do not exceed the daily dose of dextromethorphan (8 tablets).

Action

Acodin contains dextromethorphan. The drug inhibits the cough reflex through its direct effect on the central nervous system. At therapeutic doses, it does not inhibit respiratory function or the bronchial ciliary apparatus (the structure responsible for the transport of secreted mucus).

Indications

Acodin is used to temporarily suppress non-productive cough (so-called dry cough, not associated with mucus retention in the respiratory tract) of various origins. For example:

• cough resulting from a cold,
• pleural cough (e.g. chest injuries),
• cough caused by inhaling irritants.

Contraindications

When not to use Acodin :

• if you are allergic to dextromethorphan or any of the other ingredients of this medicine,
• if you are taking medicines from the monoamine oxidase inhibitor group (some medicines used for depression, Parkinson's disease) or have taken such medicines within the last 14 days,
• if you have respiratory failure or are at risk of developing it,
• if you suffer from bronchial asthma.

Side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Rare side effects (affecting less than 1 in 1000 patients):

• slight drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• digestive system disorders.

Unknown frequency of side effects:

• allergic skin reactions,
• angioedema (swelling of the skin and mucous membranes that may affect the airways).
• psychotic disorders, hallucinations, confusion,
• involuntary movements (mainly in children).
• nystagmus, slurred speech.

Warnings and precautions

• Acodin contains lactose.
• Patients with significant renal or hepatic impairment should take a lower dose.
• The drug acts symptomatically and does not eliminate the cause of the cough.
• Do not use if there is an increased amount of mucus in the respiratory tract (e.g. during bronchitis).
• Store below 25°C.

Use of other medications

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking, have recently taken or are planning to take.

Acodin should not be used together with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or within 14 days after stopping the use of such drugs.

Taking the medicine with food and drink

Food does not affect the absorption of this drug from the gastrointestinal tract. It may be taken with or without food.

Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan intensifies the effects of alcohol on the central nervous system.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

This medicine should not be used by women who are breastfeeding.

Use of the drug in children and adolescents

The drug can be used in children over 12 years of age.

Driving and operating machinery

Acodin in therapeutic doses does not impair psychophysical abilities or the ability to drive or operate machinery. When used in doses higher than recommended, it has a depressing effect on the central nervous system.