Cofdex Forte

Cofdex Forte Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

Chlorpheniramine is an alkylamine antihistamine. It is one of the most potent H1 blocking agents and is generally effective in relatively low doses. Chlorpheniramine is not so prone to produce drowsiness, readily absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract, metabolised in the liver and excreted usually mainly as metabolised in the urine.

In allergic reactions an allergen interacts with and cross-links surface IgE antibodies on mast cells and basophils. Once the mast cell-antibody-antigen complex is formed, a complex series of events occurs that eventually leads to cell-degranulation and the release of histamine (and other chemical mediators) from the mast cell or basophil. Once released, histamine can react with local or widespread tissues through histamine receptors. Histamine, acting on H1-receptors, produces pruritis, vasodilatation, hypotension, flushing, headache, tachycardia, and bronchoconstriction. Histamine also increases vascular permeability and potentiates pain. Chlorpheniramine, is a histamine H1 antagonist (or more correctly, an inverse histamine agonist) of the alkylamine class. It competes with histamine for the normal H1-receptor sites on effector cells of the gastrointestinal tract, blood vessels and respiratory tract. It provides effective, temporary relief of sneezing, watery and itchy eyes, and runny nose due to hay fever and other upper respiratory allergies.

Dextromethorphan suppresses the cough reflex by a direct action on the cough center in the medulla of the brain. Dextromethorphan shows high affinity binding to several regions of the brain, including the medullary cough center. This compound is an NMDA receptor antagonist and acts as a non-competitive channel blocker. It is one of the widely used antitussives, and is also used to study the involvement of glutamate receptors in neurotoxicity.

Dextromethorphan is an opioid-like molecule indicated in combination with other medication in the treatment of coughs and pseudobulbar affect. It has a moderate therapeutic window, as intoxication can occur at higher doses. Dextromethorphan has a moderate duration of action. Patients should be counselled regarding the risk of intoxication.

Phenylephrine is an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist used to treat hypotension, dilate the pupil, and induce local vasoconstriction. The action of phenylephrine, or neo-synephrine, was first described in literature in the 1930s.

Phenylephrine was granted FDA approval in 1939.

Phenylephrine is an alpha-1 adrenergic agonist that raises blood pressure, dilates the pupils, and causes local vasoconstriction. Ophthalmic formulations of phenylephrine act for 3-8 hours while intravenous solutions have an effective half life of 5 minutes and an elimination half life of 2.5 hours. Patients taking ophthalmic formulations of phenylephrine should be counselled about the risk of arrhythmia, hypertension, and rebound miosis. Patients taking an intravenous formulation should be counselled regarding the risk of bradycardia, allergic reactions, extravasation causing necrosis or tissue sloughing, and the concomitant use of oxytocic drugs.

Trade Name Cofdex Forte
Generic Chlorpheniramine + Dextromethorphan + Phenylephrine
Type Syrup
Therapeutic Class
Manufacturer Cipla Limited
Available Country India
Last Updated: September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am
Cofdex Forte
Cofdex Forte

Uses

Indicated mainly in allergic conditions including urticaria, sensitivity reactions, angioneurotic oedema, seasonal hay fever, vasomotor rhinitis, cough, common cold, motion sickness.

Dextromethorphan is used for Chronic dry cough or unproductive cough; Acute dry cough which is interfering with normal function or sleep.

Phenylephrine is an alpha-1 adrenergic agonist used in the management of hypotension, generally in the surgical setting associated with the use of anesthetics.

Phenylephrine injections are indicated to treat hypotension caused by shock or anesthesia, an ophthalmic formulation is indicated to dilate pupils and induce vasoconstriction, an intranasal formulation is used to treat congestion, and a topical formulation is used to treat hemorrhoids. Off-label uses include situations that require local blood flow restriction such as the treatment of priapism.

Cofdex Forte is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Allergic Contact Dermatitis, Allergic Reaction, Allergic Rhinitis (AR), Allergic cough, Allergies, Allergies caused by Serum, Allergy to House Dust, Allergy to vaccine, Angioneurotic Edema, Asthma, Bronchial Asthma, Bronchitis, Common Cold, Conjunctival congestion, Conjunctivitis, Conjunctivitis allergic, Cough, Cough caused by Common Cold, Coughing caused by Flu caused by Influenza, Drug Allergy, Eye allergy, Fever, Flu caused by Influenza, Food Allergy, Headache, Headache caused by Allergies, Itching of the nose, Itching of the throat, Migraine, Nasal Congestion, Nasal Congestion caused by Common Cold, Pollen Allergy, Productive cough, Pruritus, Rash, Rhinorrhoea, Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis, Sinus Congestion, Sinusitis, Sneezing, Transfusion Reactions, Upper Respiratory Tract Infection, Upper respiratory tract hypersensitivity reaction, site unspecified, Urticaria, Vasomotor Rhinitis, Acute Rhinitis, Allergic purpura, Conjunctival hyperemia, Dry cough, Excess mucus or phlegm, Itchy throat, Mild bacterial upper respiratory tract infections, Ocular hyperemia, Throat inflammation, Upper airway congestion, Upper respiratory symptoms, Watery eyes, Watery itchy eyes, Airway secretion clearance therapyAllergic cough, Common Cold, Common Cold/Flu, Cough, Cough caused by Common Cold, Coughing caused by Allergies, Coughing caused by Bronchitis, Coughing caused by Flu caused by Influenza, Fever, Flu caused by Influenza, Headache, Irritative cough, Itching of the nose, Itching of the throat, Nasal Congestion, Pseudobulbar affect, Rhinorrhoea, Sneezing, Upper respiratory symptoms, Watery itchy eyes, Airway secretion clearance therapy, Bronchodilation, Oropharyngeal antisepsisAllergic Rhinitis (AR), Anorectal discomfort, Cold, Common Cold, Common Cold/Flu, Congestion of the Conjunctivas, Conjunctivitis allergic, Cough, Cough caused by Common Cold, Eye allergy, Eye redness, Fever, Flu caused by Influenza, Headache, Headache caused by Allergies, Headache caused by Common Cold, Headache caused by Pollen Allergy, Hemorrhoids, Hypotension, Irritative cough, Itching of the nose, Itching of the throat, Laryngotracheitis, Nasal Congestion, Nose discomfort, Ocular Inflammation, Ocular Irritation, Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia, Pollen Allergy, Respiratory tract congestion, Respiratory tract irritation, Rhinopharyngitis, Rhinorrhoea, Seasonal Allergies, Shock, Cardiogenic, Sinus Congestion, Sinus pressure, Sinusitis, Sneezing, Sore Throat, Tracheobronchitis, Upper respiratory tract hypersensitivity reaction, site unspecified, Vasomotor Rhinitis, Aching caused by Flu caused by Influenza, Bronchial congestion, Itchy throat, Minor aches and pains, Watery itchy eyes, Airway secretion clearance therapy, Antihistamine, Dilatation of the pupil, Vasoconstrictor in regional analgesia therapy

How Cofdex Forte works

Chlorpheniramine binds to the histamine H1 receptor. This blocks the action of endogenous histamine, which subsequently leads to temporary relief of the negative symptoms brought on by histamine.

Dextromethorphan is an agonist of NMDA and sigma-1 receptors. It is also an antagonist of α3/β4 nicotinic receptors.[A10589] However, the mechanism by which dextromethorphan's receptor agonism and antagonism translates to a clinical effect is not well understood.

Phenylephrine is an alpha-1 adrenergic agonist that mediates vasoconstriction and mydriasis depending on the route and location of administration. Systemic exposure to phenylephrine also leads to agonism of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors, raising systolic and diastolic pressure as well as peripheral vascular resistance. Increased blood pressure stimulates the vagus nerve, causing reflex bradycardia.

Dosage

Cofdex Forte dosage

Adults: 4 mg 3-4 times daily.

Children:

  • Up to 1( one) year: 1 mg twice daily
  • 1-5 years: 1 mg 3-4 times daily
  • 6-12 years: 2 mg 3-4 times daily or as directed by the physician

Adults and Children over 12 years: 15 to 30 mg three to four times per day. However, 60 mg doses up to four times per day have been used without increased side effects.

Children between 6 and 12 years: 5-15 mg up to four times per day.

Children between 2 and 6 years: 2.5-5 mg up to four times per day.

Side Effects

Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, psychomotor impairment, urinary retention, dry mouth, blurred vision and gastro intestinal disturbances, paradoxical stimulation may rarely occur, especially in high dosage or in children.

Adverse effects with Dextromethorphan are rare, but nausea and dizziness sometimes occur. The drug produces no analgesia or addiction and little or no CNS depression. Excitation, confusion and respiratory depression may occur after overdosage.

Toxicity

Oral LD50 (rat): 306 mg/kg; Oral LD50 (mice): 130 mg/kg; Oral LD50 (guinea pig): 198 mg/kg [Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances. Ed. D. Sweet, US Dept. of Health & Human Services: Cincinatti, 2010.] Also a mild reproductive toxin to women of childbearing age.

A dextromethorphan overdose may present as nausea, vomiting, stupor, coma, respiratory depression, seizures, tachycardia, hyperexcitability, toxic psychosis, ataxia, nystagmus, dystonia, blurred vision, changes in muscle reflexes, and serotonin syndrome. Overdose should be managed through symptomatic and supportive measures.

Patients experiencing and overdose may present with headache, hypertension, reflex bradycardia, tingling limbs, cardiac arrhythmias, and a feeling of fullness in the head. Overdose may be treated by supportive care and discontinuing phenylephrine, chronotropic medications, and vasodilators. Subcutaneous phentolamine may be used to treat tissue extravasation.

Precaution

Chlorpheniramine may produce mild sedation and it is advised that patients under continuous treatment should avoid operating machinery. Not recommended during pregnancy & lactation.

Do not use Dextromethorphan to control a cough that is associated with smoking, asthma, or emphysema, or a cough that is productive (produces sputum or phlegm).

Interaction

Alcohol, CNS depressants, anticholinergic drugs, MAOIs.

The following medicines should be taken carefully while concomitantly use with Dextromethorphan: Amiodarone, Fluoexetine, Quinidine, CNS depressants and Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors.

Volume of Distribution

The volume of distribution of dextromethorphan is 5-6.7L/kg.

The volume of distribution of phenylephrine is 340L.

Elimination Route

Well absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract.

A 30mg oral dose of dextromethorphan reaches a Cmax of 2.9 ng/mL, with a Tmax of 2.86 h, and an AUC of 17.8 ng*h/mL.

Phenylephrine is 38% orally bioavailable. Clinically significant systemic absorption of ophthalmic formulations is possible, especially at higher strengths and when the cornea is damaged.

Half Life

21-27 hours

Dextromethorphan has a half life of 3-30 hours.

Intravenous phenylephrine has an effective half life of 5 minutes and an elimination half life of 2.5 hours.

Clearance

Phenylephrine has an average clearance of 2100mL/min.

Elimination Route

86% of a dose of phenylephrine is recovered in the urine with 16% as the unmetabolized drug, 57% as the inactive meta-hydroxymendelic acid, and 8% as inactive sulfate conjugates.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy Category B. Either animal-reproduction studies have not demonstrated a foetal risk but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women or animal-reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect (other than a decrease in fertility) that was not confirmed in controlled studies in women in the 1st trimester (and there is no evidence of a risk in later trimesters).

Pregnancy: Adequate and well-controlled studies in human have not been done. However, Dextromethorphan has not been reported to cause birth defects.

Lactation: It is not known whether dextromethorphan passes into breast milk. However, Dextromethorphan has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Contraindication

There is no definite contraindication to therapy. It should be used with caution in epilepsy, prostatic hypertrophy, glaucoma and hepatic disease. The ability to drive or operate machinery may be impaired.

Hypersensitivity to Dextromethorphan or any other component.

Acute Overdose

Symptoms: In mild overdose, tachycardia, hypertension, vomiting, mydriasis, diaphoresis, nystagmus, euphoria, loss of motor coordination, and giggling; in moderate intoxication, in addition to those listed above, hallucinations and a plodding ataxic gait; in severely intoxication, agitation or somnolence.

Management: treatment is symptomatic and supportive. Naloxone may be useful in reversing toxicity.

Storage Condition

Store at 15-30° C

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