What is Lortuss EX?
Codeine has a narcotic effect. Cough suppressant. It alters brain signals that cause cough reflexes.Guaifenesin acts as an expectorant. It loosens congestion in the chest and throat, making it easier for you to cough through your mouth.Pseudoephedrine works as a nasal decongestant by shrinking blood vessels. Dilated blood vessels can cause congestion in the nasal passages.Lortuss EX, a combination medication, is used to treat allergies, the common cold, or the flu.Lortuss EX does not treat coughs caused by smoking or asthma.Lortuss EX can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Lortuss EX
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.Codeine, like other narcotics, can cause breathing problems. If breathing becomes weak, death may result.If you have blue lips or slow breathing with long pauses in between, someone caring for you needs to seek immediate medical attention.
If you experience:
- Sighing and noisy breathing are both examples of shallow breathing.
- Severe drowsiness; hallucinations
- Heart rate can be fast, slow, or uneven.
- A seizure;
- Nervousness, tremors,
- Little or no urination.
The risk of serious side effects is higher in older adults, especially those who are obese or malnourished.
Lortuss EX can cause the following side effects:
- Dizziness, drowsiness, weakness;
- Headache;
- Nausea, constipation;
- Sleep problems (insomnia);
- Feeling nervous, anxious, or restless.
There may be other side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report adverse effects, you can contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Similar/related drugs
Benadryl, Diphenhydramine, Chlorpheniramine, Promethazine DM, Echinacea, and Banophen
Warnings
Codeine may cause breathing problems and become habit-forming. Lortuss Ex can cause addiction, overdose, or death, especially if it is used by a child or someone who does not have a prescription.You should not take this medication if you're under the age of 18.This medicine can cause withdrawal symptoms that are life-threatening to the newborn if taken during pregnancy.You may experience fatal side effects if you combine this medication with alcohol or other drugs that make you drowsy or cause breathing problems.
Before you take this drug
This medicine should not be used if you have an allergy to codeine, pseudoephedrine, or guaifenesin.You should not take this medication if you've taken an MAO inhibitor in the last 14 days. Harmful drug interactions may occur. MAO inhibitors are isocarboxazid (linezolid), phenelzine (selegiline), methylene-blue injection, phenelzine (rasgiline), and others.Some people have a rapid breakdown of codeine in their liver, resulting in higher levels than normal in the blood. This can lead to dangerously slow breathing and even death in children.This medicine should not be given to children under 18.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that this medicine will be safe for you:
- Asthma, COPD, or other breathing disorders
- A cough that produces mucus
- Heart disease, high blood pressure
- A stroke or a blood vessel condition;
- Drug or alcohol abuse;
- Glaucoma;
- Liver or kidney disease
- A blockage of the intestines or stomach;
- A head injury, brain tumour, or seizure;
- Diabetes;
- Addison's Disease
- A thyroid disorder,
- Urination and prostate problems
Your baby may develop withdrawal symptoms after birth if you use codeine during pregnancy. A baby's addiction to habit-forming drugs may require medical care for several weeks. Tell your doctor immediately if you plan to get pregnant.Do not breast-feed. Codine can pass through breast milk, causing drowsiness or breathing problems in nursing babies.
How to take Lortuss EX?
Please read all the instructions on the prescription label. Codeine can cause breathing problems. Lortuss EX should never be used in higher doses or for a longer period of time than prescribed. Cold or cough medicine is typically taken for only a few days until symptoms disappear.Even at low doses, codeine can become habit-forming. Lortuss EX should never be shared with anyone, especially if they have a history of drug addiction. The misuse of narcotic medications can lead to addiction, death or overdose. This is especially true for children and others who take the medication without prescription.Use the provided dosing syringe or a dose-measuring cup or spoon to measure liquid medicines. Ask your pharmacist if you don't have a device for measuring doses.While taking this medication, drink extra fluids in order to loosen congestion and lubricate the throat.Do not take more than 7 consecutive days. If your symptoms don't improve after 7 treatment days, or you have a headache, a skin rash, or a fever, call your doctor.Tell your doctor or surgeon if you've taken cough medicine or cold medication in the last few days.Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature.Track your medication. Codeine is an addictive drug. You should be alert if someone is misusing your medicine or using it without a prescription.
What happens if I miss the dose?
You may not have a regular dosing regimen because this medication is only taken as needed. Take the missed dose immediately if you take the medication regularly. If your next scheduled dosage is near, skip the missed dose. You should not take more medicine to compensate for a missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. Codeine overdoses can be deadly, especially for children or others who use the drug without a prescription.
What should be avoided?
Lortuss EX can affect your ability to think or react. Do not drive or operate machinery until you are sure how the medicine will affect your body. Dizziness and severe drowsiness may cause accidents or falls.You may experience dangerous side effects, or even death, if you drink alcohol when taking codeine-containing medicines.Before using any other allergy or cough medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Combination medicines often contain cough suppressants or decongestants. You can get too much medication from certain products when you take them together.
Interaction with other drug
Before using this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you also use any other medications, such as vitamins and herbal remedies. When used together, some medicines can have unwanted or harmful effects. This medication guide does not list all possible interactions.Lortuss EX can have dangerous side effects if taken with other drugs that make you sleepy, slow down your breathing, or cause anxiety. Consult your doctor before using a sleeping pill or narcotic pain medication, prescription cough medicine or muscle relaxers, or medicines for depression or seizures.
