Summary of medicine characteristics - COFSED LINCTUS
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Cofsed Linctus
2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Active Ingredients:
Per 5ml (Recommended dose is 10ml)
Pholcodine monohydrate
Ephedrine Hydrochloride
Chlorphenamine Maleate
Excipients with known effect
This medicine contains, per 10ml dose:
76. 8mg Ethanol
250mg Invert Sugar (containing 125mg Fructose and 125mg Glucose)
8.9 g Sucrose
8.65 mg Parahydroxybenzoates
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Liquid medicine
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
Indicated for the symptomatic relief of dry or painful cough. It also relieves nasal congestion in colds and hay fever.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
For oral administration
Adults and children over 12 years: Two 5ml spoonfuls three times daily.
Not more than 3 doses should be given in any 24 hours
4.3 Contraindications
Patients with a known hypersensitivity to ephedrine hydrochloride, chlorphenamine maleate, pholcodine monohydrate or any of the excipients.
In patients currently taking or within 2 weeks of stopping monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs, see section 4.5). This is relevant for all three active substances.
Epilepsy, prostatic hypertrophy, urinary retention and pyloroduodenal obstruction because of the antihistamine content.
Hepatic disease because of the antihistamine and pholcodine monohydrate content.
Angle-closure glaucoma and/or raised intraocular pressure because of the antihistamine and ephedrine content.
Chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, severe renal impairment and patients in or at risk of developing ventilatory failure because of the pholcodine monohydrate content.
Hyperthyroidism, phaeochromocytoma, cardiovascular disease including hypertension, in patients receiving anti-hypertensive therapy (e.g. betablockers, see section 4.5), or concomitant use of other sympathomimetic decongestants because of the ephedrine content.
Children under 12 years of age.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Asthmatics and patients with chronic, persistent or productive cough should consult a medical practitioner before using the product.
Use with caution in patients with diabetes mellitus as possible higher incidence of atherosclerotic disease may increase risk, and ephedrine as a sympathomimetic may affect blood glucose levels.
Caution is needed in patients with a history of drug abuse. Pholcodine is an opioid and addiction is observed with opioids as a class.
Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) including acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), which can be life-threatening or fatal, have been reported in patients treated with this medicine, most likely in the first week. Patients should be advised of the signs and symptoms and monitored closely for skin reactions. If signs and symptoms suggestive of these reactions appear, this medicine should be withdrawn immediately.
Ingredients with specified warnings
This medicine contains 8.9g of sucrose and 125mg fructose per 10ml dose. This should be taken into account in patients with diabetes mellitus. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency should not take this medicine.
This medicine contains 76.8mg of alcohol (ethanol) in each 10ml dose. The amount in 10ml of this medicine is equivalent to less than 2ml of beer or 1ml of wine. The small amount of alcohol in this medicine will not have any noticeable effects.
It contains parahydroxybenzoates which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).
Caution should be exercised in patients taking other sympathomimetic agents, such as amphetamine-like psychostimulants and appetite suppressants. The effects of a single dose of Cofsed Linctus on the blood pressure of these patients should be observed before recommending repeated or unsupervised treatment.
Caution is required in renal impairment and in the elderly.
If any of the following occur, Cofsed Linctus should be stopped
Hallucinations
Restlessness
Sleep disturbances.
Risk from concomitant use of sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs:
Concomitant use of this medicine and sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs may result in sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death. Because of these risks, concomitant prescribing with these sedative medicines should be reserved for patients for whom alternative treatment options are not possible. If a decision is made to prescribe this medicine concomitantly with sedative medicines, the lowest effective dose should be used, and the duration of treatment should be as short as possible.
The patients should be followed closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation. In this respect, it is strongly recommended to inform patients and their caregivers to be aware of these symptoms (see section 4.5).
Labels state:
Warning: Do not take more medicine than the label tells you to.
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not give to children under 12 years.
Do not take with other cough, cold or decongestant medicines.
If symptoms persist consult your doctor.
Consult your doctor before use if you have asthma, a chronic or persistent cough or where a cough is accompanied by excessive secretions.
May cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drink.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Chlorphenamine maleate, Ephedrine hydrochloride & Pholcodine monohydrate
Chlorphenamine maleate & Pholcodine monohydrate
Chlorphenamine maleate & Ephedrine hydrochloride
Chlorphenamine maleate
Ephedrine hydrochloride
All interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs); therefore Cofsed Linctus should not be used in patients taking MAOIs or within 14 days of stopping treatment as there is a risk of serotonin syndrome.
Both may enhance the sedative effects of CNS depressants including barbiturates, hypnotics, opioid analgesics, anxiolytic sedatives, antipsychotics and alcohol.
Antimuscarinic and sedative effects increased when chlorphenamine maleate is given with tricyclic antidepressants (and possibly with related tricyclics).
Tricyclic antidepressants may reduce the effect of sympathomimetics such as ephedrine hydrochloride and increase the risk of arrhythmias.
Antiretroviral lopinavir: plasma concentration of chlorphenamine may be increased.
Antiepileptic phenytoin: plasma concentration of phenytoin may be increased.
Antimuscarinics such as atropine the antimuscarinic effects may be increased. Histamine the effects of exogenously administered histamine may in theory be antagonised; as an antihistamine chlorphenamine maleate should not be taken for several days before skin tests of allergen extracts.
Betahistine: effects of betahistine may be antagonised.
Antihypertensives: may diminish the effects of ephedrine.
Antipsychotics: may antagonise the hypertensive effects of sympathomimetics.
Caffeine: may enhance the side effects of ephedrine.
Theophylline: concomitant use with ephedrine may potentiate the adverse effects.
Anti-arrhythmics – including beta-blockers and quinidine: ephedrine may increase the risk of arrhythmias, and block the hypotensive effects of beta-blockers (see Section 4.3).
| Adrenergic neurone blockers such as guanethidine: ephedrine may block the hypotensive effects. Cardiac glycosides such as digoxin: ephedrine may increase the risk of arrhythmias. Ergotamine and methysergide: ephedrine may increase the risk of ergotism. Oxytocin: there is increased risk of hypertension when vasoconstrictor sympathomimetics are given with oxytocin. Doxapram: there is increased risk of hypertension when sympathomimetics are given with doxapram. Dexamethasone: ephedrine accelerates the metabolism of dexamethasone. MAO-B inhibitors (such as rasagiline and selegiline): risk of hypertension. Moclobemide: risk of hypertensive crisis when given with sympathomimetics. Appetite suppressants and amphetamine-like psychostimulants: risk of hypertension. Antiparkinsonian drugs: Risk of additive cardiovascular toxicity when some sympathomimetics given with drugs such as levodopa and bromocriptine | |
| Pholcodine monohydrate | Interaction with neuromuscular blocking agents (anaphylaxis) has been reported. The reduction of blood pressure caused by antihypertensives may accentuate the hypotensive effects of pholcodine monohydrate. Diuretics may have the same effect. Sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs: The concomitant use of opioids with sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs increases the risk of sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death because of additive CNS depressant effect. The dose and duration of concomitant use should be limited (see section 4.4). |
The antibacterial agent furazolidone has a metabolite which is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor and is known to cause a progressive inhibition of monoamine oxidase. Although there are no reports of hypertensive crisis having occurred, the cautions advised for MAOIs regarding use with other drugs are applicable and furazolidone should not be administered concurrently with Cofsed Linctus.
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Not to be used during pregnancy or lactation without prior consultation with a medical practitioner. Use of the product in pregnancy and lactation should be avoided unless the benefit outweighs the risk.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
May cause drowsiness or other central nervous system disorders which may have an effect on the ability to drive or operate machinery. This may be potentiated by alcohol or other central sedatives. If affected, patients should not drive or operate machinery.
4.8 Undesirable effects
The following side effects may be associated with the use of Cofsed Linctus (frequencies not known: cannot be estimated from available data)
Chlorphenamine maleate: blood disorders
Chlorphenamine maleate: anaphylactic reactions, hypersensitivity, angioedema
Ephedrine hydrochloride: rash
Pholcodine monohydrate: rash, hypersensitivity reactions, anaphylaxis
Chlorphenamine maleate: anorexia
Ephedrine hydrochloride: anorexia, hyperglycaemia
Chlorphenamine maleate: confusion, depression, sleep disturbances
Ephedrine hydrochloride: anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, excitability, fear, confusion, irritability, psychotic states
Pholcodine monohydrate: excitation, confusion
Chlorphenamine maleate: headache, drowsiness, dizziness, extrapyramidal effects, sweating
Ephedrine hydrochloride: headache, sweating, piloerection, increased salivation
Pholcodine monohydrate: drowsiness, dizziness
Chlorphenamine maleate: blurred vision, angle-closure glaucoma
Ephedrine hydrochloride: mydriasis
Chlorphenamine maleate: tinnitus
Chlorphenamine maleate: arrhythmia, palpitations
Ephedrine hydrochloride: tachycardia, palpitations, arrhythmias
Chlorphenamine maleate: hypotension
Ephedrine hydrochloride: hypertension, cold extremities
Chlorphenamine maleate: thickening of bronchial secretions
Ephedrine hydrochloride: dyspnoea
Pholcodine monohydrate: sputum retention, respiratory depression (in overdose)
Chlorphenamine maleate: dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation, altered taste and smell
Ephedrine hydrochloride: dry mouth, nausea, vomiting
Pholcodine monohydrate: nausea, vomiting, constipation
Chlorphenamine maleate: liver dysfunction
Chlorphenamine maleate: exfoliative dermatitis, rashes, photosensitivity
Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (see section 4.4)
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Chlorphenamine maleate: tremor, convulsions, paraesthesias, facial dyskinesias
Ephedrine hydrochloride: muscle tremor, weakness
| Renal and Urinary disorders: Chlorphenamine maleate: urinary retention Ephedrine hydrochloride: difficulty in micturition, urinary retention. Reporting of suspected adverse reactions Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. | |
| 4.9 | Overdose Symptoms: Overdosage with chlorphenamine maleate, a sedating antihistamine, is associated with antimuscarinic, extrapyramidal, and CNS effects. When CNS stimulation predominates over CNS depression, which is more likely in children or the elderly, it causes ataxia, excitement, tremors, psychoses, hallucinations, and convulsions; hyperpyrexia may also occur. Deepening coma and cardiorespiratory collapse may follow. In adults, CNS depression is more common with drowsiness, coma, and convulsions, progressing to respiratory failure and cardiovascular collapse. Ephedrine hydrochloride is associated with paranoid psychosis, delusions, and hallucinations. Pholcodine monohydrate is thought to be of low toxicity, but the effects in overdosage will be potentiated by simultaneous ingestion of alcohol and psychotropic drugs. The symptoms include nausea, drowsiness, restlessness, excitement, ataxia and respiratory depression. Management: In the event of gross overdosage with Cofsed Linctus, the stomach should be emptied by aspiration and lavage; 0.02% aqueous solution of potassium permanganate may be employed. A saline purgative such as sodium sulphate, 30g in 250m1 of water, should be given to aid peristalsis. If consciousness is impaired and respiration depressed nalorphine hydrobromide is given intravenously. The circulation should be maintained with infusions of plasma or suitable electrolyte solutions. Assisted respiration may be necessary. For pholcodine monohydrate, naloxone has been used successfully to reverse central or peripheral opioid effects in children (0.01mg/kg body weight). Other treatment option is activated charcoal (1g/kg body weight) if more than 4mg/kg has been ingested within 1 hour, provided the airway can be protected. |
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pholcodine monohydrate has a specific depressant effect on the cough centre in the medulla and a powerful antitussive action. It does not demonstrate the properties of a narcotic analgesic and therefore in use is free from the important associated side effects – respiratory depression and gastro-intestinal effects such as constipation, anorexia or vomiting.
Ephedrine in therapeutic doses produces peripheral vasoconstriction on the blood vessels of the nasal and sinus mucosa. It reduces the swelling associated with inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the nasal passage, clearing the airway and minimising the contribution of the post-nasal drip to the irritation and congestion in the lower respiratory tract.
Chlorphenamine maleate is one of the most potent antihistamines. It is useful in the control of symptoms which are allergic in origin. It has a drying action and renders respiratory tract secretions more viscid. Chlorphenamine also displays a sedative action but much less than diphenhydramine.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
None stated
5.3 Preclinical safety data
5.3 Preclinical safety dataNone stated
6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Ethanol 96%
Aniseed Flavour (545008E)
Glycerol (E422)
Invert Syrup (contains fructose and glucose)
Menthol
Parahydroxybenzoates (E214, 216, 218)
Quinoline Yellow (E104)
Syrup (contains sucrose)
Purified water
6.2 Incompatibilities
None stated
6.3 Shelf life
24 months from the date of manufacture
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Protect from light
6.5 Nature and contents of container
Amber glass sirop bottles with 28mm tamper evident child resistant closure with a low density polyethylene plug containing a clear viscous yellow liquid.
Pack size: 100ml
6.6 Special precautions for disposal
6.6 Special precautions for disposalNone stated
7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Thornton & Ross Ltd
Linthwaite
Huddersfield
HD7 5QH
United Kingdom
8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER
PL 00240/0097
9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THEAUTHORISATION
30/08/2002