In the beginning of this year itself, the 'World Health Organization' said that Pholcodin is used in cough syrup, in such a situation it needs to be avoided.
In the beginning of this year itself, the 'World Health Organization' said that Pholcodin is used in cough syrup, in such a situation it needs to be avoided. On July 14, 'Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has advised to stop Pholcodin substance in cough syrup. According to WHO 'Pholcodine' is an opioid medicine used to treat non-productive (dry) cough in adults and children. Pholcodin is used worldwide in cough syrups. such as over-the-counter tablets and syrups.
In March, the WHO alerted health care professionals and regulatory authorities about the risk of anaphylactic reactions in people who used the drug Pholcodin at least 12 months before procedures involving the administration of general anesthesia with neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs), reported India Today . A special committee called the Subject Expert Committee (Antimicrobial and Antiviral) reviewed the evidence against the use of Pholcodine and suggested recommendations for health professionals, doctors, and consumers.
According to the advisory, doctors and health professionals have been asked to advise patients to stop taking medicines containing pholcodine for the treatment of cough and cold. And asked to pay attention to their symptoms. To verify whether patients taking general anesthetics containing neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) have taken a medicine containing pholcodine for the treatment of cough and cold in the last 12 months and also be aware of anaphylactic reactions in such patients. Pediatrician Dr. Saurabh Khanna of CK Birla Hospital said that Pholcodin is a prophylactic drug.
Pholcodine belongs to a group of antitussive medicines which suppresses cough. So, in other words, it is a cough suppressant which is an opioid derivative. It works by suppressing the cough center in the brain," said Dr. Saurabh Khanna. According to the medical expert, it is used in most of the cough syrups available over the counter.
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