Clear Cough ® Syrup

CLEAR COUGH ® SYRUP contains the active substances diphenhydramine hydrochloride; ammonium chloride and sodium citrate. CLEAR COUGH ® SYRUP is used for the alleviation of cough.

Do not take CLEAR COUGH ® SYRUP:

• If you are hypersensitive (allergic) to diphenhydramine hydrochloride; ammonium chloride and sodium citrate or any of the other ingredients of CLEAR COUGH ® SYRUP listed in section 6. Signs of an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.
• If you are pregnant and breastfeeding your baby
• If you have impaired liver or kidney function
• If you are having an asthma attack
• If you are under 6 years old
• If you have porphyria (characterised by severe abdominal pain, chest pains, legs or back pain, constipation or diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting, muscle pain, tingling, numbness, weakness or paralysis, red or brown urine, mental changes such as anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, disorientation or paranoia, breathing problems, urination problems, rapid or irregular heartbeats (palpitations), high blood pressure, seizures)
• If you are taking or have recently taken (within the last two weeks) another antidepressant drug known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). You should not take CLEAR COUGH ® SYRUP at the same time as or within two weeks of stopping irreversible MAO inhibitors. Also do not take MAO inhibitors for at least one week after stopping CLEAR COUGH ® SYRUP.

Warnings and precautions

Take special care with CLEAR COUGH ® SYRUP:

• If you are using alcohol, or if you are taking other medicines such as sedatives, tranquilisers or sleeping tablets, as it may lead to drowsiness and impaired concentration. You should take care not to drive or operate machinery, particularly at the start of treatment, as this may lead to accidents (see driving and using machines).
• If cough persists for more than 1 week, tends to recur or is accompanied by high fever, rash or persistent headache, consult a doctor.
• If you have heart failure disease, cardiovascular disease and irregular heartbeat.
• If you have peripheral oedema (swelling of feet and hands due to retained fluid) and pulmonary oedema (excessive fluid accumulated in the lungs).
• If you have toxaemia of pregnancy (serious abnormalities during pregnancy, associated with high blood pressure).
• If you have had any past or present liver or kidney disease.
• If you have increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma).
• If you have enlarged prostate gland (prostatic hypertrophy).
• In patients with urinary retention.
• If you have any allergies.
• The elderly patients, are particularly prone to dizziness, sedation, confusion, hypotension (low blood pressure) and anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, blurry vision, dry eyes, constipation, or urinary problems).
• If you are taking or plan to take any medicine, even those you get without a prescription or traditional medicines.

Taking your medicine:

Do not share medicines prescribed for you with any other person. Always take CLEAR COUGH ® SYRUP exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. A maximum of four doses per day should not be exceeded. The usual dose is:

• ADULTS: One to two medicine measures (5 – 10 ml) every three to four hours.
• CHILDREN: 6 to 12 years: Half to one medicine measure (2, 5 - 5 ml) every four hours. CLEAR COUGH ® SYRUP should not be given to children under 6 years.

If you take more CLEAR COUGH ® SYRUP than you should:

Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. You might experience an increase in side effects in the event of taking more CLEAR COUGH ® SYRUP than the recommended dosage. In the event of over dosage, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If neither is available, contact the nearest hospital or poison control centre. Take the carton and bottle with you. This is so the doctor knows what you have taken.

If you forget to take CLEAR COUGH ® SYRUP:

If you forget to take CLEAR COUGH ® SYRUP, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

CLEAR COUGH ® SYRUP can have side effects. Not all side effects reported for CLEAR COUGH ® SYRUP are included in this leaflet. Should your general health worsen or if you experience any untoward effect while taking CLEAR COUGH ® SYRUP, please consult your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional for advice.

If any of the following happens, stop taking/using CLEAR COUGH ® SYRUP and tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital:

• if you get swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips or throat, which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing.
• if you could notice an itchy, nettle rash (urticaria). This may mean that you are having an allergic reaction to CLEAR COUGH ® SYRUP.
• Fainting.

These are all very serious side effects. If you or your child has them, you or your child may have had a serious reaction to CLEAR COUGH ® SYRUP. You or your child may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:

Frequent side effects

• sedation which includes drowsiness (feeling sleepy),
• inability to concentrate,
• lassitude (lack of energy/fatigue),
• dizziness,
• hypotension (low blood pressure),
• muscular weakness and incoordination.

Less frequent side effects:

• Headache, heart palpitations, pale skin, confusion, back pain, abdominal pain as a combination of these symptoms may be due to abnormal red blood cell (Haemolytic anaemia),
• Sore mouth or skin, sore throat, cough, trouble breathing, feeling light-headed, fever, chills, or body aches as a combination of these symptoms may be due to abnormal white blood cell (leukopenia),
• Bleeding gums, nosebleeds, rashes, blood in urine, excessive and easy bleeding from wounds, bruising, fatigue and general weakness as a combination of these symptoms may be due to abnormal blood cell (thrombocytopenia),
• anorexia (lack of appetite),
• blurred vision,
• ringing in the ear (tinnitus),
• elation (high spirit),
• depression,
• Irritability,
• nightmares,
• dry mouth,
• tightness of chest,
• tingling,
• heaviness and weakness of the hands,
• constipation (infrequent bowel movement),
• diarrhoea (frequent or loose watery stools),
• pain in the upper and middle region of stomach,
• nausea (feeling that one is about to vomit),
• having fits,
• unrealistic feeling of well-being (euphoria),
• restlessness,
• nervousness,
• increased heartbeat,
• shaking,
• muscle twitching,
• thirst,
• abnormally deep and rapid breathing,
• progressive drowsiness,
• mental confusion,
• difficulty in passing urine.

If you notice any side effects not mentioned in this leaflet, please inform your doctor or pharmacist.

• Store all medicines out of reach of children.
• Store at or below 25 °C.
• Do not freeze.
• Store your medicine in the original packaging in order to protect from light.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date shown on the packaging.
• Return all unused medicine to your pharmacist.
• Do not dispose of unused medicine in drains or sewerage systems (e.g. toilets).