Corex

For other uses see: Corex (disambiguation)

Corex is a cough syrup sold by Pfizer Inc., a global pharmaceutical company. It is available in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and a few other South Asian countries. Corex is a prescribed medicine and can only be bought with a prescription from a general physician.

Its active ingredients are chlorpheniramine maleate and codeine phosphate.

Description

Each 5 ml of Corex Cough Syrup contains:

• Alcohol IP 8 mg
• Chlorpheniramine Maleate IP 4 mg
• Codeine Phosphate IP 10 mg
• Carmoisine and Sunset Yellow FCF as colorants

Actions

Chlorpheniramine maleate, an H1-blocking antihistamine, relieves histamine-induced allergic edema of respiratory mucosa. Codeine phosphate, by its action on the cough center in the medulla, helps reduce excessive frequency and intensity of cough bouts, which allows the patient to rest or sleep.

Indications

Corex cough syrup is indicated for the treatment of dry, irritating, disturbing cough in allergic or infective conditions of the respiratory passage, e.g., sinusitis, hay fever, pharyngitis, acute bronchitis, tuberculosis, and tropical eosinophilia.

Warnings

Safety of Corex has not been studied in pregnancy and lactation. Therefore, probable benefits should be weighed against possible risks before prescribing Corex Cough Syrup to pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Precautions

While treating cough as a symptom, it is important to make every effort to determine and treat appropriately the underlying cause such as a specific infection. Sedatives, tranquilizers, alcohol, and other CNS depressants should not be administered concomitantly with Corex Cough Syrup. Patients whose work or occupation involves driving vehicles or handling machinery should be cautioned not to drive a vehicle or handle a machine if they feel drowsy while taking Corex Cough Syrup. Codeine should not be given to patients with or at risk of developing respiratory failure, to those receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and to those suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Adverse reactions

These may occur in occasional patients depending on his or her sensitivity to individual ingredients, and include drowsiness, dizziness, dryness of mouth, nausea, and constipation.

Dosage

Corex Cough Syrup is usually given 4 times a day in the following doses:

• Adults: 1 teaspoonful (5 ml)
• Children: 6–12 years: 1/2 teaspoonful (2.5 ml)
• 2–6 years: 1/4 teaspoonful (1.25 ml)

Supply

Bottles of 50 and 100 ml.

Corex is one of the most commonly available over the counter drugs in India, and is used as a cheap and readily available substitute for Codeine.

Legally, Corex can only be obtained by a physician's prescription, but studies show that more than 90% of the product is sold without any prescription.

Corex is not generally a fatal drug substitute, unless taken in extremely high quantities. However, many side effects are common. Corex is known to cause short term memory loss, sleeplessness, tremors and spasms. Muscular pains and dehydration are other common side-effects.

Long term abuse leads to serious kidney damage or constipation. Corex has a high sugar content, and may be unsuitable for acute diabetic patients.