PHOLCODEINE
INTRODUCTION
Pholcodine is a drug which is an opioid cough suppressant (antitussive). It helps suppress unproductive coughs and also has a mild sedative effect, but has little or no analgesic effects. It is also known as morpholinylethylmorphine and homocodeine. Pholcodine is not prescribed in the United States where it is classed as a Schedule I drug
USES
Use as cough suppresent.
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Pholcodine is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and freely crosses the blood–brain barrier. It acts primarily on the central nervous system (CNS), causing depression of the cough reflex, partly by a direct effect on the cough centre in the medulla. It is metabolized in the liver and its action may be prolonged in individuals with hepatic insufficiency (i.e. liver problems). Its use is therefore contraindicated in patients with liver disease, while care is advised in patients with hepatic impairment
SIDE EFFECTS
dizziness
gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea or vomiting.
Adverse effects such as constipation, drowsiness, excitation, ataxia and respiratory depression have been reported occasionally or after large doses.
REFERENCE-
ESSENTIAL OF MEDICAL PHARMACOLOGY BY K.D TRIPATHI7th edition pg. no. 220,474
No comments:
Post a Comment