Actinel drug: Uses, indications and notes when using

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Actinel is commonly prescribed in cases of colds or respiratory diseases. If used improperly, the drug can cause unwanted effects. The following article will provide readers with useful information about the drug Actinel.

1. What are the uses of Actinel?

Actinel medicine is used to temporarily treat the symptoms of cough, choking. Besides, they also work to thin and loosen mucus in the lungs, making it easier for people to cough up mucus. In addition, Actinel also contains a decongestant, which helps relieve symptoms of nasal congestion.

2. Indications and contraindications for the use of Actinel

2.1. Point

Actinel is indicated in cases of nasal congestion caused by the common cold, flu, allergies, fever or respiratory diseases (e.g. sinusitis, bronchitis).

2.2. Contraindications

Actinel is not usually used for persistent coughs caused by smoking, asthma, other persistent breathing problems (e.g., emphysema), or coughs with a lot of mucus, unless there is only doctor's decision.
Do not use this product to treat cold symptoms in children under 6 years of age unless specifically directed by a doctor. Actinel tablets/capsules are not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age.

3. How to use Actinel effectively

Actinel if not used properly will not be effective during use, especially can cause side effects. In case you are using medicine without a doctor's prescription, you should carefully read the instructions for use on the product packaging.
When you take medicine prescribed from a doctor, you need to strictly follow the instructions as well as the dose recommended by the doctor. If you have any questions about the effects, uses and risks associated with Actinel, please consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
According to experts, patients should eat food before taking the medicine, regardless of the form of the drug (tablets, capsules or liquid). This will save you from the risk of stomach upset. Besides, you should drink plenty of water while taking this medicine unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Because water will work to loosen mucus in the lungs. In case the patient is prescribed to take the drug in liquid form, the doctor will advise you to use the device to measure the dose accurately. Do not use household spoons because the dosage is often inaccurate. Before using the medicine, shake the bottle well. If you are taking Actinel tablets or capsules, take them whole, do not crush or chew Actinel tablets, as this will reduce the effectiveness of the drug and increase the risk of side effects.

4. Notes when using Actinel

Here are some notes that patients when using Actinel should pay attention:
Each dose of medicine prescribed by a doctor is based on the patient's medical condition, health and age. Therefore, you absolutely must not use someone else's prescription. Overuse or abuse of Actinel can cause dangerous complications such as brain damage, seizures, and death. Therefore, patients must not arbitrarily increase the dose or abuse the drug compared to the doctor's prescription or on the product packaging. If you use the drug for more than a week and your condition and symptoms do not improve or have additional side effects such as fever, rash or persistent headache, you should notify your treating doctor. . Because this can be a sign of a serious medical problem. Your doctor will be the one to solve this problem for you. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug. If you are allergic to any of the ingredients, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Before using this medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of breathing problems (such as asthma, emphysema), diabetes or certain eye problems (such as glaucoma ), heart problems, high blood pressure, kidney problems, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), difficulty urinating, etc. The medicine may make you feel drowsy. . Therefore, you should not drive or use machinery to avoid danger. During the time of taking the drug, do not use stimulants such as alcohol, beer, coffee, ... Because they can aggravate the side effects. Actinel liquid may contain sugar, aspartame. Therefore, if the patient has diabetes, alcoholism, liver disease, it is necessary to discuss with the doctor whether to use the drug? Pregnant women only use the drug when absolutely necessary and prescribed by the doctor. Women who are breastfeeding should also consider taking medication. Actinel can pass into breast milk and affect the quality of milk and the fetus.

5. Side effects when using Actinel

In addition to the drug effects, Actinel can cause some side effects for users such as:
Dizziness, headache, nausea, nervousness or trouble sleeping. Mental/mood changes (eg, confusion, hallucinations), shaking (tremor), weakness. Irregular heartbeat - but this is rare. Occurrence of allergic reactions such as: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, trouble breathing. These symptoms are rare, but that doesn't mean they won't appear. The above are not all the side effects that actinel causes. Patients may experience other symptoms. At that time, please notify your doctor for instructions on how to handle it.
In addition, if these side effects persist or worsen, you also need to contact your doctor to get an appropriate prescription.

6. MAO drug interactions

Some MAO inhibitors can interact with medications and cause serious (possibly fatal) drug interactions. Most MAO inhibitors should not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this medicine.
Avoid taking isocarboxazid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline or tranylcypromine during treatment with Actinel.
Before using medication, tell your doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter products you may use, especially: beta-blockers (eg, metoprolol, atenolol), guanethidine , certain inhaled anesthetics (eg, halothane), methyldopa, tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline, desipramine).
Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g. cough and cold products, diet aids) as they may contain ingredients that increase heart rate or blood pressure.
This medicine may affect test results such as: 5-HIAA / VMA levels in urine, brain scans for Parkinson's disease.
The above list of drug interactions is not exhaustive. Patients should consult their treating physician about any possible drug interactions.

7. Handling of missed dose and overdose of Actinel

7.1. Missing dose of Actinel

For some reason, you miss a dose of medicine compared to the prescription, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Never take a double dose on your own. Because this action can cause you to be poisoned or experience side effects of the drug.

7.2. Actinel overdose case

Actinel when used in excess can cause manifestations such as fainting, shortness of breath, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, convulsions. At that time, the patient needs to go to the medical facility for examination and timely treatment.

8. How to store Actinel?

To ensure that Actinel is still effective, the patient needs to store the drug in a cool, dry place and with a room temperature of 15-30 degrees Celsius. Factors such as sunlight and humidity can affect affect the effectiveness of the drug. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid leaving drugs in these places. The bathroom is a place with high humidity so you should not leave medicine here. Avoid storing medicine in the freezer or melting the medicine. Actinel is commonly prescribed in cases of colds or respiratory diseases. If in the case of using the disease symptoms do not improve, the patient should go to medical facilities for examination, treatment and appropriate prescriptions.

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Reference source: webmd.com