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Alex Syrup
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Alex Syrup

Manufactured byGLENMARK PHARMACEUTICALS LTD
ContainsChlorpheniramine (2 mg/5 ml) + Dextromethorphan (10 mg/5 ml) + Phenylephrine (5 mg/5 ml)
Description
Alex Syrup is a combination of Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide, and Phenylephrine. This medicine is used to treat the symptoms of common cold and allergies such as runny nose, sneezing, cough, itching of the nose and throat, watery eyes, congested nose, etc. Alex Syrup is used as a cough syrup as it reduces the activity in the cough centre of your brain thus, suppressing the cough. It helps to ease the blocked or stuffy nose by narrowing the blood vessels in your nose. It also provides relief from allergic symptoms. Alex Syrup shows side effects like nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and headache. Most of them are short-lasting and usually get better after some time. Talk to your doctor if these side effects concern you. This medicine is known to cause sleepiness, so you should avoid activities requiring mental focus like driving and operating heavy machines. Do not consume alcohol while taking this medicine as it may make you more sleepy. Alex Syrup can be taken with or without food, as instructed by your doctor. Take plenty of water while taking this medicine to avoid any stomach irritation. You should complete the whole course even if you feel better after few doses. It is important to not abruptly stop taking this medicine as your symptoms could come back. Consult with your doctor before stopping this medicine. Alex Syrup is not recommended if you have high blood pressure, certain heart conditions, or enlarged prostate as this medicine can worsen pre-existing conditions. If you are allergic to any of the ingredients of Alex Syrup, ask your doctor for a substitute medicine. Alex Syrup is not suitable during pregnancy or while breastfeeding unless prescribed by your doctor. Inform your doctor if you have any liver or kidney problems. Your doctor can adjust the dose to use this medicine safely.
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Side effectsConcernsUsageRelated products

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Alex Syrup

  • Confusion
  • Constipation
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach pain
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Dry mouth
  • Jaundice
  • Increase in the blood pressure
  • Difficult or painful urination
  • Loss of appetite

Uses of Alex Syrup

What is it prescribed for?

  • Dry Cough
  • Nasal congestion
  • Common Cold
  • Allergic Rhinitis
Read More
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • How long does it take for this medicine to take effect?
    You may start to feel better within 15-30 minutes after taking Alex Syrup.
  • How long do the effects of this medicine last?
    The effect of Alex Syrup may remain for 4-6 hours.
  • Is it safe to consume alcohol while taking this medicine?
    Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while taking Alex Syrup. Alcohol may increase the risk of side effects like confusion, dizziness, and impaired judgment. Hence, avoid performing activities that need high mental alertness like driving or operating a machine if alcohol is taken together with this medicine.
  • Is this a habit forming medicine?
    Alex Syrup may rarely form a habit if it is not taken as directed by your doctor.
  • Can this medicine be taken during pregnancy?
    Alex Syrup is not recommended for use in pregnancy. Animal studies indicate that it may harm your developing foetus. Hence, this medicine is prescribed by your doctor only when the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine, if you are pregnant.
  • Can this medicine be taken while breast-feeding?
    Alex Syrup is not recommended if you are breastfeeding mothers as sufficient studies are available to understand its effects on the mother and the baby. Consult your doctor to understand more about the risk and benefits before taking this medication.

Allergy

Avoid taking Alex Syrup if you have a known allergy to Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide, Phenylephrine, or any other ingredients present along with these medicines. Consuming this medicine in such cases could lead to symptoms like redness, swelling, breathing difficulties, hives (painful eruptions that itch and sting), etc. You should ask for another alternative medicine in such cases.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is an enlargement of the prostate gland (located just below the bladder in males) which causes difficulty in urination. It is an age-related condition. Alex Syrup is not recommended for use if you have benign prostatic hyperplasia as it could make urination even more difficult. This could lead to infection, bladder stones, and reduced kidney function.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI)

MAOI is a class of medicine known as anti-depressants. Use of Alex Syrup is not recommended if you have taken MAO inhibitors within the last 14 days. Their combination may cause excessively high blood pressure as well as a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome (too much serotonin in the body with symptoms such as confusion, excessive sweating, fits, increase in heart rate, etc.).

Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure refers to increased pressure of the blood against your blood vessels. Over time, high blood pressure can cause blood vessel damage, leading to heart and kidney problems, stroke, and other problems. Alex Syrup is not recommended if you have severe/uncontrolled hypertension or severe coronary artery disease (narrowing of the blood vessels due to buildup of cholesterol and other materials). This medicine may worsen the condition.

Ventricular tachycardia

Ventricular tachycardia is a condition in which the ventricles (lower chambers of your heart) beat very rapidly, resulting in a fast and abnormal heart rate. Alex Syrup is not recommended if you have ventricular tachycardia. This medicine may further increase your heart rate and worsen the existing condition.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Alex Syrup is not recommended for use in pregnancy. Animal studies indicate that it may harm your developing foetus. Hence, this medicine is prescribed by your doctor only when the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine, if you are pregnant.

Breast-feeding

Alex Syrup is not recommended if you are breastfeeding mothers as sufficient studies are available to understand its effects on the mother and the baby. Consult your doctor to understand more about the risk and benefits before taking this medication.
General warnings

Emphysema

Emphysema is a condition in which the walls of the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs get damaged. Alex Syrup should be used with caution if you have emphysema. This medicine may block the respiratory tubes and further damage the air sacs. An alternative treatment option may be necessary based on your clinical condition.

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is a swelling and irritation of the bronchial tubes (airway). Alex Syrup should be used with caution as this medicine can cause thickening of bronchial secretions and results in obstruction of the respiratory tract. Your doctor may suggest another suitable medicine or may adjust the dose to use this medicine safely.

Other medicines

Alex Syrup may interact with many other medicines and may cause significant side effects. Hence, inform your doctor if you are taking any medicine including any herbs and supplements.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which the brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures (sudden uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain leading to uncontrolled jerking of the body). Alex Syrup should be used with caution as it increases the risk of seizures. An alternative treatment option may be necessary in some cases based on your clinical condition.

Liver and/or kidney impairment

Alex Syrup is mainly absorbed in the liver and excreted in the urine. Take caution while using Alex Syrup if you have liver/kidney problems. A damaged liver or kidney will not be able to absorb and eliminate this medicine properly. This could increase the level of unused medicine in the blood and increase the risk of side effects. Your doctor may adjust the dose or prescribe an alternative medicine based on your condition.

Driving or operating machines

Use of Alex Syrup may cause blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, etc. in some patients. Avoid performing any activities such as driving or operating machines if you experience any symptoms while taking this medicine.

Use in Children

Alex Syrup should be used with caution in children. Consult your doctor before giving this medicine to your child.

Missed Dose

If you forget to take the dose of Alex Syrup at a given time, take it as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.

Overdose

Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you have consumed more than the prescribed amount of Alex Syrup symptoms such as headache, confusion, fever, change in the heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, etc. may occur. Seek immediate medical attention or consult your doctor.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

N/A

Instructions

Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while taking Alex Syrup. Alcohol may increase the risk of side effects like confusion, dizziness, and impaired judgment. Hence, avoid performing activities that need high mental alertness like driving or operating a machine if alcohol is taken together with this medicine.
Interaction with Medicine

Escitalopram

Linezolid

Metoclopramide

Ondansetron

Antidiabetic drugs

Beta blockers

Alprazolam

Isocarboxazid

Perphenazine

Amitriptyline

Disease interactions

Psychiatric Conditions

Alex Syrup should be used with caution if you have mental and emotional health conditions. Symptoms such as isolated or abnormal behaviour, confusion, and hallucinations may occur if you take Alex Syrup. Your doctor may adjust the dose or may suggest an alternative treatment option if necessary.

Glaucoma

Alex Syrup should be used with caution if you have glaucoma (group of eye disorders with abnormally high pressure in the eyeballs that causes blindness). This medicine may cause dilation of the pupil, increased pressure within the eye, blurred vision, and other visual disturbances that may worsen the condition.

Asthma

Alex Syrup is not recommended for use if you have asthma/COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). This medicine may increase the risk of further lung problems like respiratory tract blockage. Your doctor may advise another suitable medicine or dose adjustments to use this medicine safely.

Cardiovascular disease

Alex Syrup should be used with extreme caution if you have any cardiovascular diseases (medical conditions of the heart and blood vessels). This medicine increases heart contractions and oxygen consumption thus increases the workload on your heart. Report any incidence of irregular heart rate and/or very high blood pressure to your doctor. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required.

Diabetes

Alex Syrup should be used with caution if you have diabetes (a condition where the blood sugar levels are very high). This medicine may further increase your blood sugar levels. Hence, your sugar levels need to be closely monitored while using this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.
Alex Syrup may be taken with or without food. Shake the bottle well before use. Use a dose-measuring cup or a fixed spoon to measure the dose of the syrup. It is important that you follow the dosages strictly to avoid any overdose. Take plenty of water while taking this medicine as it will help to soothe your throat from irritation. If your cough does not get better in one week or is accompanied by fever, rash, or breathing difficulties, consult your doctor. The cough could be a sign of an underlying infection or other medical condition that needs to be treated first.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Causes sleepiness

How it works
Alex Syrup is composed of Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide, and Phenylephrine. Chlorpheniramine blocks the action of a certain substance (histamine) and provides relief from allergy. Dextromethorphan blocks the signals from the brain that trigger the cough reflex and thus, it helps in suppressing the cough. Phenylephrine acts by reducing the swelling of the blood vessels in the nasal (nose) passages and makes it easier for you to breathe. Thus, this combination is better effective for treating symptoms caused by various conditions such as a common cold, sinusitis, rhinitis, etc.
Legal Status

Unknown

Approved

Unknown

Unknown

Classification

Category

Upper respiratory combinations

Schedule

Schedule H

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - BALAMINE DM SYRUP- chlorpheniramine maleate, phenylephrine hydrochloride, dextromethorphan hydrobromide liquid. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 2 August 2021].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=9bae052a-2e3f-43c0-bf20-6f2cdf6f1ae5>

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Robitussin Dry Cough Medicine - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 2 August 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/11927/smpc>
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Information on this page was last updated on 11 Oct 2021

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