Codral Dry Cough and Cold with Antihistamine (Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride And Ammonium Chloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Codral Dry Cough and Cold with Antihistamine Used For?
Codral Dry Cough and Cold with Antihistamine is a combination medicine that helps relieve cold symptoms and dry coughs.
Primary Uses
This medicine is used to relieve the symptoms of dry, raspy coughs due to a cold. It also helps with common cold symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes.
How It Works
The medicine contains two active ingredients: Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (an antihistamine) that reduces cold symptoms and helps suppress dry coughs by working in the brain, and Ammonium chloride (an expectorant) that helps loosen mucus.
How to Take Codral Dry Cough and Cold with Antihistamine
This medicine comes as a liquid that should be measured carefully and taken by mouth every 4 hours as needed.
Dosage Instructions
Children 6-12 years: 5mL every 4 hours as necessary. Adults and children over 12 years: every 4 hours as necessary. Do not exceed 6 doses in 24 hours. Do not exceed the recommended dosage. If you are over 65 years of age, talk to your pharmacist or doctor about how much to take.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take it and it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, you may take a dose as soon as you remember if you think you need it. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Important: Never take more than 6 doses in 24 hours and never double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- fatigue
- drowsiness
- weakness
- dizziness
- nausea, vomiting or stomach discomfort
- constipation
- diarrhoea
- increased appetite
- thicker phlegm
- dry mouth, nose, throat or eyes
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- blurred vision
- sensitivity to light
- ringing in the ears
- headache
- fast heart beat
- palpitations
- low blood pressure
- tightness of chest or throat
- tingling or numbness of the hands and feet
- difficulty in passing urine
- confusion
- excitation
- insomnia
- nervousness, anxiety or irritability
- impaired performance (such as with work or driving)
- psychosis (a mental disorder)
- hallucinations
- muscle spasms
- movement disorders, lack of coordination
- tremor
- seizures (fits)
- hives
Important Warnings
There are several important situations where this medicine should not be used, and medical conditions that require special consideration.
Who Should Not Take Codral Dry Cough and Cold with Antihistamine
Do not use if you: are allergic to Diphenhydramine hydrochloride, other antihistamines, Ammonium chloride, or any ingredients; are younger than 6 years; are having an asthma attack; have narrow-angle glaucoma; have duodenal or stomach ulcers or other stomach problems; have prostate problems; have bladder problems; have severe liver failure; have severe renal impairment; have taken other products containing sedating antihistamines.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before use if you have: breathing problems such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis; chronic obstructive airways disease; pneumonia; asthma; persistent or chronic coughs or coughs that produce a lot of mucus; liver or kidney disease; epilepsy; glaucoma; if you take sedatives; if you take any medicines for any other condition; if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. Your pharmacist or doctor will discuss the potential benefits and risks of taking the medicine if you are breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Several types of medicines can interact with Codral Dry Cough and Cold with Antihistamine and affect how it works.
- Medicines used to treat depression such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (especially if taken within the last 14 days) and tricyclic antidepressants
- Medicines used to help you relax, sleep or relieve anxiety, such as tranquillizers, sedatives and hypnotics
- Medicines with strong anticholinergic effects such as some travel sickness medicines, medicines to relieve stomach cramps or spasms, and medicines used in Parkinson’s disease
- Opioid analgesics used to treat pain
- Alcohol
- Betablockers (metroprolol), medicines used to treat high blood pressure, heart conditions and prevent migraines
Alcohol & Driving
This medicine can affect your ability to drive safely and can interact dangerously with alcohol.
Alcohol
Do not drink alcohol while using Codral Dry Cough and Cold with Antihistamine. The sedative effects of alcohol may be increased, making the combination dangerous.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how this medicine affects you. It may cause dizziness in some people. If this happens, do not drive or operate machinery.
Storage
Keep your medicine in the original pack until it is time to take it. Store in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Keep where young children cannot reach it.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Codral Dry Cough and Cold with Antihistamine, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medicine should be taken every 4 hours as necessary for symptom relief. Individual response times may vary.
The medicine information does not specify food restrictions. Consult your pharmacist or doctor if you have concerns about taking it with food.
The medicine information does not indicate addiction potential, but it should only be used as directed and not exceed 6 doses in 24 hours.
No, do not drink alcohol while using this medicine. The sedative effects of alcohol may be increased, making the combination dangerous.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Otherwise, take a dose as soon as you remember if you need it. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
If you are over 65 years of age, talk to your pharmacist or doctor about how much to take. Children and people over 65 years may have an increased chance of getting side effects.
Measure the recommended dose in a medicine measure and swallow. Follow all directions given by your pharmacist or doctor carefully.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.