What Is Bronkaid?
Generic Name: Ephedrine and Guaifenesin
Brand Name: Primatene Asthma, Bronkaid
Introduction
Bronkaid is known for treating the symptoms of asthma. It works by thinning the mucus, so it can be eliminated from the body through coughing. Bronkaid consists of two active ingredients:
- Ephedrine sulfate - a bronchodilator in the strength of 25 mg per tablet.
- Guaifenesin - an expectorant in the strength of 400 mg per tablet.
As mentioned earlier, Bronkaid is known to provide relief from mild symptoms of asthma, which include tightness in the chest, wheezing, and shortness of breath. It helps loosen up phlegm or mucus along with thinning bronchial secretions.
Instructions Before Usage
- Let the doctor know if you are allergic to Bronkaid or any of its contents (ephedrine and guaifenesin).
- If you are allergic to other drugs similar to Bronkaid, food items, or substances. The doctor should be well informed about any signs of allergy you may have experienced such as skin rashes, hives, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or swelling of the tongue, lips, throat, and face.
- If you have a persistent cough with a lot of mucus.
- If you have a chronic cough due to smoking, passive smoking, asthma, or emphysema.
- If you are taking a stimulant called amphetamine.
- If you have depression or other mood disorders and have been taking medications such as phenelzine, isocarboxazid or tranylcypromine.
- If you have taken medications for Parkinson's disease such as rasagiline or selegiline in the last 14 days. If Bronkaid is consumed within 14 days of taking these drugs, then the blood pressure may rise to dangerous levels.
- Inform the doctor if you are taking prescription medications, over-the-counter medicine, vitamins, dietary supplements, herbal supplements, or other substances.
- If you have other medical conditions aside from asthma, which includes heart disease, diabetes, narrow-angle glaucoma, thyroid disease, high blood pressure, seizures or convulsions, urination problems due to an enlarged prostate gland, and any kind of emotional disturbance or condition.
- Before starting the medicine let the doctor know if you are taking other medications that contain ephedrine, phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, or caffeine.
Medication Guide
Bronkaid must be taken exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Do not increase or reduce the dose without a doctor's advice to avoid having side effects, which could worsen the condition. Bronkaid should not be taken longer than the recommended period. It is advisable to avoid caffeine while you are on Bronkaid treatment. Seek medical attention if you have a persistent cough along with headache, fever, or rashes.
Inform your doctor or seek immediate medical help if you are not relieved after 60 minutes of taking the medicine or if your asthma tends to get worse. If you experience more than two asthma attacks within a week, then it is very important to inform your doctor. Individuals who use this medicine should also be aware that Bronkaid has a tendency to shoot up one's blood pressure or heart rate.
It is also important to inform the doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive, or nursing a baby before taking this medicine.
Usage
As previously mentioned, Bronkaid should be taken according to the doctor's instructions or you can check the label of the medicine for a more detailed information about the drug's usage and dosing. Bronkaid can be taken with or without food. However, you can take this medicine with food to avoid having an upset stomach. During the course of treatment, make sure to drink lots of fluid every day unless otherwise specified by the doctor.
If you missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose instead. Do not take two doses at once to make up for the missed dose to avoid overdosing.
Store this medicine at room temperature and away from light, heat, and moisture. It should also be stored in a dry place. Any medications should be kept away from the reach of children and pets. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safe and proper disposal of unused or expired medicine.
Side Effects
Any medication tends to have certain side effects, which can range from mild to severe. However, not everyone experiences side effects. If they do, it would only be mild ones. The side effects of Bronkaid are usually mild, but in certain cases, its side effects can turn out bad. It would be quite rare if an individual experiences worse side effects. Few of the common side effects of Bronkaid are unable to sleep or lack of sleep, feeling nervous or excited, or shakiness.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following side effects:
- Allergy symptoms such as wheezing, trouble breathing, hives, itching, skin peeling, blisters, skin rashes, chest pain or tightness, unusual hoarseness, and swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, or face.
- Chest pain or pressure
- Convulsions or seizure attacks
- Feeling very nervous or getting overly excited all of a sudden
- Symptoms of high blood pressure such as dizziness, vision problems, fainting, or having a very bad headache.
- Weakness on one side of the body along with other symptoms such as balance problems, finding it difficult to speak or even think, blurry vision, or drooping on one side of the face.
Some of the rarer side effects of Bronkaid are:
- Paradoxical bronchospasm
- Feeling nauseous
- Getting very anxious
- Gastric irritation
- Temporary redness of the face or neck
- Drug-induced psychosis
- Dry throat
- Involuntary shaking or trembling
- Changes in skin color
Other Precautions
- Immediately inform the doctor if the symptoms do not become better even after taking the medicine.
- This medicine should not be shared with anyone else.
- Do not start or stop taking any medications without a doctor's advice. This is also applicable for any vitamins, dietary supplements, or herbal supplements.
- The risk of stroke or heart attack tends to increase if an individual has a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, and taking bronkaid frequently or more than the recommended dose.
- It is advisable to avoid consuming caffeinated foods and drinks while taking Bronkaid.
- Avoid taking supplements that have stimulating effects.
Warning Signs of Asthma
Asthma can be life-threatening if not taken care of on time. When it tends to become serious, reach out to the doctor immediately:
- If the asthma attack does not get better even after 60 minutes of taking the medicine.
- It tends to worsen as time passes.
- An individual would need more than six tablets in a period of 24 hours.
- An individual uses more than four tablets in a period of 24 hours for three consecutive days or more in one week.
- An individual has more than two asthma attacks within one week.
This medicine should not be used unless it has been specifically specified by the doctor. Individuals who are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or have stopped taking such medicine for two weeks should not use this medication. Moreover, children who are younger than 12 years old should not be given Bronkaid without a doctor's supervision.
