Pholcodine Linctus warnings

Do not take Pholcodine Linctus if any of the following apply to you:

• You are allergic to any of the ingredients
• You have liver disease.
• You have breathing problems, chronic bronchitis, COPD or an obstruction in your lungs
• You have taken/given any other cough and cold medicine

Speak to a doctor or pharmacist before taking this medication if any of the following apply to you:

• You have asthma
• You have kidney or liver problems
• You have a persistent cough or a cough with excessive secretions
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding
  

Pholcodine Linctus and other medicines

Pholcodine should not be used at the same time as taking any other medicines for coughs or colds, as they could contain the same active ingredients and lead to you exceeding the daily recommendation. Also, cough expectorants can produce an opposite reaction and so advice should always be taken from your doctor or a pharmacist.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient include:

• Benylin for children's dry coughs
• Covonia, a dry cough sugar-free formula
• Boots own dry cough syrup, for children of 6 years and older
• Pavacol-D
• Pholcodine paediatric linctus.
• Pholcodine strong linctus.

Pholcodine should not be taken by people who are already taking the following medication:

• monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressants e.g. phenelzine, isocarboxazid or tranylcypromine, or anyone who has taken any of these in the last 14 days.

Pholcodine Linctus and driving

Pholcodine can cause drowsiness and so it is not recommended that you drive or operate heavy machinery until you are aware of how this medicine might affect you. Drowsiness can be exacerbated if taken alongside:

• Alcohol
• Sleeping pills e.g. zopiclone
• Sedating antihistamines e.g. chlorphenamine, promethazine, diphenhydramine, triprolidine (these can be found in non-prescription cough, cold and hay fever remedies)
• Benzodiazepines, e.g. temazepam, diazepam
• Strong opioid painkillers e.g. dihydrocodeine, codeine, morphine
• Tricyclic antidepressants e.g. amitriptyline.

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly for full details on warnings and precautions associated with this treatment.

Pholcodine Linctus dosage

Adults and children over 12 years: Take 10mls up to 6 times in 24 hours.

Children 6 -12 years: Take 5mls up to 4 times in 24 hours. Do not take for more than 5 consecutive days.

Elderly: Ask a doctor or pharmacist for advice regarding a reduced dose.

Pholcodine Linctus ingredients

The active ingredient in this medication is: Pholcodine 5mg/5ml

Also contains amongst other ingredients: citric acid monohydrate, saccharin sodium, propylene glycol, sodium benzoate (E211), carboxymethylcellulose, sunset yellow (E110 ), sorbitol (E420) and purified water.

Pholcodine Linctus side effects

Like other medications, Pholcodine Linctus may cause some people to experience side effects. Most commonly these include:

• nausea, vomiting, constipation
• drowsiness, dizziness
• skin reactions including rashes
• slow or shallow breathing
• difficulty in coughing up mucus or saliva
• excitation, confusion

If you are concerned about any side effects you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible for advice.