UNICOUGH 14 MG / 135 MG / 1.1 MG IN 5ML ORAL SOLUTION - summary of medicine characteristics

1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Unicough 14mg / 135mg / 1.1mg in 5ml Oral Solution

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each 5ml contains :-

Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride              1­4.00 mg

Ammonium Chloride               ­135.00 mg

Levomenthol                       ­1.10 mg

For full list of excipients, see section 6.1

3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Oral Solution

Appearance: smooth brown solution

4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

For the oral symptomatic relief of common coughs (such as dry and/or tickly, or troublesome cough) associated with respiratory tract congestion and aids restful sleep.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Posology

One to two 5ml spoonfuls to be taken every 4 hours

To aid sleep the patient may start with two 5ml spoonfuls at bedtime followed by two 5ml spoonfuls every 6 hours.

Not suitable for children under 12 years.

Do not take more than 4 doses (1 dose = two 5ml spoonfuls) in 24 hours.

Do not exceed the stated dose.

Method of Administration

Oral

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients

Children below 12 years of age

Patients on monoamine oxidase inhibitor therapy within previous 14 days (see Section 4.5)

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Do not combine with other treatments for coughs and colds.

Unicough Oral Solution should be used with caution in patients with the following conditions : prostatic hypertrophy, urinary retention, susceptibility to ‘closed angle’ glaucoma and hepatic disease.

Unicough Oral Solution may cause drowsiness.

Seek medical advice when suffering from chronic or persistent cough and when also suffering from asthma, and acute asthmatic attack or where cough is accompanied by excessive secretions.

Keep out of the reach and sight of children.

Excipient Warnings:

Parahydroxyben­zoates may cause allergic reactions (possible delayed). Sucrose: Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrose-isomaltase insufficiency should not take this medicine.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Additive CNS depressant effects with alcohol and other CNS depressants including barbiturates, hypnotics, opiod analgesics, anxiolytic sedatives and antipsychotics.

Additive anti-muscarinic effects with other drugs of similar properties such as atropine and some anti-depressants.

Not to be taken in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or within 14 of stopping treatment as there is a risk of serotonin syndrome.

Diphenhydramine can inhibit the oxidative metabolism of some drugs.

Diphenhydramine may enhance the effects of ephedrine.

Diphenhydramine may mask the response of the skin to allergenic skin tests and also the ototoxic symptoms associated with certain antibiotics.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

In view of the potential risks versus small benefits, it is recommended that Unicough oral solution should not be used during pregnancy particularly as the safety of Unicough in human pregnancy is not established.

Lactation

In view of the potential risks versus small benefits, it is recommended that Unicough oral solution should not be used during lactation particularly as the safety of Unicough oral solution in human pregnancy is not established.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Unicough oral solution may cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drink.

4.8 Undesirable effects

The overall percentage of treated patients expected to experience adverse reactions is unknown.

Common side effects include:

CNS effects such as nervous drowsiness (usually diminishes within a few days), paradoxical stimulation, nervous headache, nervous psychomotor impairment.

Anti-muscarinic effects such as urinary retention, dry mouth, blurred vision, gastrointestinal disturbances and thickened respiratory tract secretions.

Rare side effects include:

Hypotension, extrapyramidal effects, dizziness, confusion, depression, sleep disturbances, tremor, convulsions, palpitation, arrhythmia, hypersensitivity reactions, blood disorders and liver dysfunction.

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 Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard

4.9 Overdose

Symptoms of overdosage include those due to diphenhydramine or menthol (drowsiness, dizziness, ataxia, anti-cholinergic effects, pyrexia, headaches, convulsions, hallucinations, excitement and respiratory depression).

Treatment consists of gastric lavage and aspiration. Administration of activated charcoal may help. Other symptomatic and supportive measures should be provided.

5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antihistamines for systemic use

ATC Code: R06AA52

Diphenhydramine possesses antitussive, antihistaminic, and anticholinergic properties and suppresses the urge to cough. It also dries up secretions in the nose and chest. Experiments have shown that the antitussive effect is discrete from its sedative effect. Taken at night will assist sleeping.

Ammonium Chloride „Traditional“ Expectorant.

Menthol Subjective relief of upper respiratory congestion, it has mild local anaesthetic and cooling effect.

Unicough oral solution is a thick demulcent, which in the buccal cavity and throat forms a soothing film over the mucous membrane. This brings it into contact with the sensitive nerve endings of the throat lining

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Diphenhydramine

Is a histamine receptor antagonist, Main site of metabolic transformation is the liver,

Oral availability – 50%, Plasma bound – 80%, Half life – 4 hours

Ammonium Chloride

Effectively absorbed from GI tract.

Ammonium Ion converted to urea by the liver.

Acid ion released gives mild metabolic acidosis.

Menthol

After absorption menthol is excreted in the urine and bile as a glucuronide.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

There are no preclinical data of relevance, within are additional to those already included in other sections of the SmPC.

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Sucrose, Cocoa Flavour, Glycerol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Nipastat (methylparahy­droxybenzoate E218, ethylparahydro­xybenzoate E215, propylparahydro­xybenzoate E216, butylparahydro­xybenzoate), Purified Water.

6.2 Incompatibilities

See Section 4.5

6.3 Shelf life

36 months

6.4 Special precautions for storage Store below 25°C.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

150ml amber glass bottle

300ml amber glass bottle

Measuring red spoon PPH 578N

Cap Red PP28 TE CR with EPE/PE/AL/PET Wad

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

No special requirements