Codral Original Day & Night + Dry Cough (Paracetamol, Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide Monohydrate, And Chlorphenamine Maleate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Codral Original Day & Night + Dry Cough Used For?
Codral Original Day & Night + Dry Cough is a combination medicine designed to provide temporary relief from cold and flu symptoms. It contains four active ingredients that work together to address different symptoms.
Primary Uses
Day capsules temporarily relieve headaches, body aches and pains, blocked nose, fever and dry irritated coughs without causing drowsiness. Night capsules temporarily relieve headaches, body aches and pains, blocked nose, fever, dry irritated coughs and runny nose.
How It Works
Paracetamol stops pain messages from reaching the brain and reduces fever. Pseudoephedrine reduces congestion in the nose, nasal passages and sinuses. Dextromethorphan acts on the brain’s cough center to suppress dry coughs. Chlorphenamine is an antihistamine that prevents allergic reactions by blocking histamine effects.
How to Take Codral Original Day & Night + Dry Cough
This medication comes in separate day and night capsules, each designed for specific times of use. Follow the dosing instructions carefully to avoid exceeding the maximum daily limits.
Dosage Instructions
For adults and children over 12 years: Take 2 day capsules every 4-6 hours during the day. Take 2 night capsules at night time as necessary. Do not exceed 6 day capsules and 2 night capsules in 24 hours. Swallow capsules whole. Do not use for more than a few days at a time except on medical advice.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. 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 exceed the recommended dosage – do not take more than 6 day capsules and 2 night capsules in 24 hours
Available Tablet Strengths
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:
- Nausea or indigestion
- Stomach discomfort
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Drowsiness or sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
- Nervousness and irritability
- Fatigue
- Excitability
- Restlessness
- Fear or anxiety
- Twitching or jerking muscles
- Dry mouth, nose and throat
- Rapid or irregular heart beat
- Tremor
- Headache
- Hallucinations
- Rectal bleeding
- Small bumps on the skin with or without fever or reddening
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Urine retention
- Pain when passing urine
- Muscle spasms affecting the eyes, head, neck and body
- Seizures (fits)
- Extreme confusion
- Severe nausea and vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or other parts of the body
- Rash, itching or hives on the skin
Important Warnings
Before taking this medication, it’s important to understand who should not use it and what medical conditions require special consideration.
Who Should Not Take Codral Original Day & Night + Dry Cough
Do not use if you are allergic to any of the ingredients, under 12 years old, have very high blood pressure, have severe coronary artery disease, have taken other paracetamol products, have taken antihistamines, or have taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors (depression medicines) in the last 14 days.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have respiratory conditions (asthma, chronic obstructive airway disease, chronic cough, excessive secretions, pneumonia), high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, diabetes, heart disease, glaucoma, prostate problems, bladder problems, liver or kidney disease, alcohol dependence, or epilepsy.
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. Small amounts of pseudoephedrine pass into breast milk, so your healthcare provider will discuss the potential benefits and risks.
Drug Interactions
This medication can interact with many other medicines. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
- Medicines used to treat depression (especially monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants)
- Medicines used to treat heart conditions
- Medicines used to treat high blood pressure
- Medicines used to treat urinary tract infections and bladder problems
- Quinidine and amiodarone (for irregular heart beat)
- Medicines used to treat behavioral disorders
- Phenylephrine (for congestion)
- Appetite suppressants
- Warfarin (blood thinner)
- Metoclopramide (for nausea and vomiting)
- Medicines used to treat epilepsy or fits
- Chloramphenicol (antibiotic for ear and eye infections)
- Alcohol
- Sedatives and hypnotics (sleep medicines)
- Opioid analgesics (pain medicines)
- Flucloxacillin (antibiotic for skin infections)
Alcohol & Driving
This medication can affect your ability to drive safely and can interact dangerously with alcohol.
Alcohol
Do not drink alcohol while taking Codral Original Day & Night + Dry Cough. 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 medication 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’s time to take it. Store in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Keep away from moisture, heat, and sunlight – do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children. Take expired or unwanted medicine to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much of this medication, seek 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 medication is designed for temporary relief of cold and flu symptoms. Day capsules work without causing drowsiness, while night capsules help with symptoms that may interfere with sleep.
The medication should be swallowed whole. While the source doesn’t specify food requirements, taking it with food may help reduce stomach discomfort, which is listed as a possible side effect.
No, do not drink alcohol while taking this medication. 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 and take your next dose when scheduled. Otherwise, you may take a dose as soon as you remember if you think you need it. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Do not use for more than a few days at a time except on medical advice. Stop use and talk to your doctor or pharmacist if your symptoms persist, worsen, or if new symptoms occur.
This medication is only suitable for adults and children over 12 years of age. Do not give to children under 12 years old.
Day capsules temporarily relieve symptoms without causing drowsiness, while night capsules help with the same symptoms plus runny nose and are designed for nighttime use when drowsiness is acceptable.
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.