Almus Dual Action Chesty Cough Oral Solution 200ml

Two active ingredients, two actions

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride is an antihistamine. Ammonium chloride is an expectorant, which acts on the lining of the airways to increase the fluid in the respiratory tract. Together they give this solution its dual action on the symptoms of a chesty cough.

Who it is for

This is a pharmacy medicine for adults and children from 6 years, taken to relieve symptoms of cough associated with upper chest infections. It should not be given to children under 6 years, and should not be used in children for more than 5 days without the advice of a doctor.

Before you take it

Diphenhydramine may cause drowsiness. If you are affected, do not drive or operate machinery, and avoid alcoholic drinks while taking it. This medicine also interacts with a number of other medicines, and is not suitable during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Read the warnings in full before use, and speak to your pharmacist if you are taking anything else or are unsure whether it is right for you.

Practical details

• Diphenhydramine hydrochloride 14 mg and ammonium chloride 130 mg per 5 ml
• Cherry flavour oral solution
• Adults and children from 6 years
• 200ml bottle
• Pharmacy (P) medicine

For oral use.

• Adults and children over 12 years: Take one or two 5 ml spoonfuls (5 ml to 10 ml) every two or three hours.
• Children from 6 to 12 years: Take one 5 ml spoonful every three or four hours.
• Children under 6 years: Do not give.

Not to be used on children for more than 5 days without the advice of a doctor. Medical attention should be sought if the child's condition deteriorates during treatment.

Do not take more medicine than the label tells you to. If you accidentally take too much, contact your nearest hospital immediately.

Protect from light.

Do not use

• If you are allergic to diphenhydramine or any of the other ingredients of Dual Action Chesty Cough 14 mg/130 mg per 5 ml Oral Solution.
• If you are breast-feeding, or if you have liver or kidney problems.
• If you are taking medicines for depression such as tranylcypromine, phenelzine or isocarboxazid, or within 14 days of stopping taking these medicines.
• Do not take if you are pregnant.
• Do not use to sedate a child.

Talk to your doctor before use

• If you are suffering from a chronic or persistent cough, if you have asthma, are suffering from an acute asthma attack, or where the cough is accompanied by excessive secretions.
• If you are suffering from an enlarged prostate, urinary retention, angle closure (glaucoma) or liver disease.
• If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product (contains glucose, sucrose and sorbitol).

Further warnings

• This medicine may cause drowsiness. If affected, do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drink.
• Harmful for those suffering from alcoholism. This medicinal product contains 7.2 vol% ethanol (alcohol), i.e. up to 568 mg per 10 ml dose, equivalent to 14.1 ml of beer or 6 ml of wine per 10 ml dose.
• To be taken into account by patients on a controlled sodium diet. This medicinal product contains 33 mg of sodium per 10 ml dose.
• May cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed); contains amaranth (E123) and methylhydroxybenzoate (E218).
• Contains 7.8 g of sucrose per 10 ml dose. This should be taken into account in patients with diabetes mellitus.
• Keep out of sight and reach of children.

Interaction with other medicines

There is an increased risk of side effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision or difficulty passing urine if this medicine is taken with: Parkinson's medicines e.g. procyclidine, orphenadrine, trihexyphenidyl; antipsychotics e.g. chlorpromazine, clozapine, thioridazine; antispasmodics e.g. atropine, propantheline; tricyclic antidepressants e.g. amitriptyline, clomipramine.

There is an increased risk of drowsiness if this medicine is taken with any of the following: alcohol; antipsychotics e.g. chlorpromazine; barbiturates e.g. phenobarbital; anxiety medicines e.g. diazepam, temazepam; sleeping tablets e.g. zopiclone; strong painkillers e.g. morphine, codeine.

Side effects

All medicines can have side effects although they don't affect everyone. Stop using the product and consult your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following:

• Allergic reactions including swelling of the face or difficulty breathing
• Skin rashes or unexplained bruising
• Irregular heartbeat
• Difficulty passing urine

Common side effects: drowsiness (usually diminishes within a few days) — if affected, do not drive or operate machinery and avoid alcoholic drink; excitation, headache, movement (coordination) disorder, urinary retention, dry mouth, blurred vision, stomach upset, thickened chest mucous.

Rare side effects: low blood pressure, involuntary muscle spasm, dizziness, confusion, depression, sleep disturbances, tremor, fits, palpitation, irregular heartbeat, allergy reactions, blood disorders and liver dysfunction.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed on the label. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Active ingredients: diphenhydramine hydrochloride 14 mg per 5 ml, ammonium chloride 130 mg per 5 ml.

Also contains: sodium citrate E331, levomenthol, saccharin sodium E954, glucose, sucrose, sorbitol E420, citric acid E330, ethanol, methylhydroxybenzoate E218, cherry flavour, caramel E150c, amaranth E123 and purified water.