TYPES OF DRUGS

PANADOL

Active Ingredient: Paracetamol

It is used for fast effective relief of headache and cold and reduced fever. 

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Food Interaction :

• Avoid alcohol since it might increase the chance of hepatoxicity.

• Can be taken without having a meal first.

<Controlled under schedule 2> 

(primary pack contain < 12 dosage unit).

Side effect:

• Liver damage if taken excessively;

• Allergic reactions (skin rash, itching and swelling);

• Nausea;

• Weight loss.

CLARATYNE

Active ingredient: loratadine

it is used to relieve symptoms of hives, itching, redness and lumps on the skin. 

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Food interaction:

• 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.

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<Controlled under schedule 2>

(primary pack contain < 10 mg dosage unit).

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Side effect: 

• Hair loss and Rapid heart rate (Rare); 

• Headache,

• ​Fatigue,

• Nervousness,

• Diarrhoea

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Medicine is taken orally; however, Loratadine does not prevent serious allergic reaction like anaphylaxis. 

PAIN & INFLAMMATION (IBUPROFEN)

Active Ingredient: ibuprofen

It is used to reduce fever and relieve headache, arthritis, dental pain and muscle aches. 

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Food Interaction

• Taking together with Cannabis sativa (marijuana) increase the chance to get bleeding;

• Alcohol interaction cause stomach bleeding and liver damage;

• Recommended to be taken with meal/ milk to decrease stomach irritation.

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<Controlled under schedule 2>

(primary pack contain < 12 dosage unit).

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Side effects:

• Diarrhoea;

• Nausea;

• Vomiting.

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GAVISCON

Active ingredients: sodium alginate + sodium bicarbonate + calcium carbonate

It is used for fast effective treatment to lower the acid in the stomach and reduced stomach upset. 

Food Interaction

• Taking after meal and bedtime, chew before swallowing;

• If someone is in low salt diet consult with the doctor since this product contains salt.

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<Controlled under schedule 2>

(primary pack contain < 12 dosage unit).

Side effects:

• Diarrhoea caused by Magnesium;

• Constipation (uncommon);

• Allergy reaction from Aluminium and Magnesium.

ASPIRIN

Active ingredient: Aspirin

It is used to relieve the pain of headaches, toothaches and muscle aches from mild to moderate and reduced fever.

Food interaction:

• Regular alcohol consumption my interact with Aspirin causing stomach bleeding;

• Take with food or milk since Aspirin causing heartburn;

• Avoid taking Aspirin with Ibuprofen because it can reduce the effectiveness.

<Controlled under Schedule 2>

(primary pack contains < 12 dose units).

Side effects:

• nausea

• vomiting

• stomach pain

• heartburn

IMODIUM

Active ingredient: loperamide

It is used for effective treatment of sudden diarrhoea by slowing down the movement of the gut. 

Food interaction:

• Avoid drinking tonic water because it can interact with Loperamide causing severe heart problem;

• The liquid form may contain alcohol, therefore driving/ doing dangerous activity is not recommended.

<Controlled under Schedule 2> 

(primary pack contains < 12 dose units).

Side effects:

• Constipation due to water absorbed by the medicine;

• Dizziness/ drowsiness;

• Nausea.

COLD & FLU RELIEF

Active ingredient: paracetamol and phenylephrine hydrochloride

It is used to temporarily treat headaches, cough and fever that caused by the common cold.

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Food interactions:

• Avoid alcohol since it might increase the chance of hepatoxicity;

• Can be taken without having a meal first.

Drug interactions:

• Avoid monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) due to severe reactions

<Controlled under No Schedule>

Side effects:

• Headache

• Mild upset stomach

• Liver damage if taken excessively;

• Allergic reactions (skin rash, itching and swelling);

• Nausea;

• Weight loss.

STREPSILS

Active Ingredient: dichlorobenzyl alcohol + amylmetacresol, amylmetacresol + dichlorobenzyl alcohol + menthol

It is used to relieve the discomfort of a blocked nose and sore throats. 

Food interaction: Not available

Eat one lozenge for every 2 or 3 hours. No more than 12 lozenges per day.

<Controlled under No Schedule>

Side effects:

• Dizzy

• Drowsiness

• Stomach cramps