- Used to relive breathing difficulties in bronchial asthma
- Also used to treat the symptoms of emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
COPD is the brand name of the generic drug Dyphylline Guaifenesin which is manufactured by Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, Inc. It is available as capsules, tablets and as a liquid.
Indications
COPD is used primarily to relieve the breathing difficulties that accompany certain conditions like bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Action
This drug is a combination of an expectorant and a bronchodilator. What it does do is to thin the mucus in the lungs, making it easier to be expelled and it makes the air passages wider by relaxing the muscles so it becomes easier for the person to breathe. This drug only relieves symptoms and is not a cure for these conditions. Dyphylline is a xanthine which is a class of drugs and Guaifenesin is an expectorant. In case of the attack getting severe, a quick acting inhaler prescribed by the doctor should be used, not this.
Side Effects
While this provides a lot of relief for many, there are a few who will experience some side effects. These range from minor to severe. The less serious ones are irritability, insomnia, a tingly feeling on the skin, headaches and nausea and vomiting. The more serious ones are irregular heartbeats, quickened breathing, seizures or fainting, extreme weakness, twitching of the muscles and terrible thirst. There could be cardiac problems with low blood pressure and palpitations. It could also cause hypoglycemia and convulsions. Some people have also experienced renal complications.
Caution
You doctor should be apprised of your full medical history including your family history especially concerning any respiratory illness. You will also have to let him know if you are suffering from any condition and of you are taking any medication for it. He will want you to let him know all the vitamins and supplements you are taking and also if you have had any infectious diseases in the past. He will also have to know about any alcohol or drug abuse as well as whether you smoke. You will have to follow the doctor’s advice absolutely for everything, especially dosage and timing. Your doctor will probably advise you to increase your intake of water so your chest feels less congested.
Contraindications
This drug should not be given to children who are less than four years old as it can be very dangerous. Some people are allergic to these drugs and they must avoid them. Some medications react with this drug so you must be very careful and aware of what other medication or supplements you are taking while you are on this drug. Caffeine increases this drug’s action on your body so you will need to avoid it as much as possible. This must be avoided by nursing mothers or pregnant women and it should be administered to them only under a doctor’s advice. One does not really know if these drugs pass through the placenta or the milk and affect the baby. This is why it is preferable to avoid it unless it is absolutely necessary that you have to take it.