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Does Intake Of Pholcodine Help In Treating Dry Cough?

Posted on Tue, 17 May 2016

Question: Hi my sister is 25 and she got this cough yesterday. it's dry and very annoying for her.. she says sometimes when coughing she feels like hard to breathe. she doesnt have asthma or any other problems.. she didnt get any runny nose or anythkng.. just the cough..she got some dry cough mixture from the pharmacy.. pholcodeine 15mg in 15 ml.. is she ok to take that one?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (48 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Your sister can take pholcodine in recommended dose for cough relief

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

1. Pholcodeine is an opioid which functions in suppressing cough. It is a recommended cough suppressant and can be taken by your sister. The dose for adults is 10 ml to 15 ml every 6 to 8 hours a day. It should not be taken more than this dose.

2. She might feel drowsy after taking this medicine and therefor high alert activities like driving, swimming and cooking should be avoided after taking this medicine.

3. She can take this for 3 to 5 days and it should help. If symptoms persist for longer than 5 days then consulting the doctor is suggested. If the breathing difficulty increases then she should go to ER urgently.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (17 minutes later)

hi Thanks for the reply.. she will start a dose now.. ajust wanted to make sure it was ok to use.. also.. is it common to feel like hard to breathe when coughing? not sure if it's the flu because she hasn't yet have any flu symptoms..

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Please watch for flu symptoms in the coming few days

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. Flu symptoms might take 3 days to appear after the initial cough. Please tell her to watch for symptoms like fever, runny nose for the coming 3 days.

2. Slight breathing discomfort can occur with cough or flu. However if the breathing gets heavy and discomfort increases after taking a dose of the medicine then she should consult her doctor urgently.

3. Please tell her to take precautions and avoid exposure to dust pollution.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar