We’re fast approaching the end of winter—the days are getting longer and the temperature’s rising. Everyone’s starting to wear T-shirts or singlets and bringing a warm cardigan or two in case of that freezing gust of wind. I’ve even seen some brave souls start to wear their thongs (flip-flops), even if it’s only the thongs die-hards. With it also comes the end of the winter cold and flu season. Studying pharmacy, this holds greater significance for me than just being a sniffling, coughing, miserable victim of a member of the rhinovirus genus of the picornavirus family of viruses...
I’ve had my fair share of the cold that’s been going around this particular season. I was sniffling way too much, coughing, having post-nasal drip (that’s when mucus or other bodily secretions travel from your nose to the throat and beyond) resulting in a massive gloop of phlegm stuck in my throat—yes, I’m sure you needed to know that—and just generally being miserable. I blame it to living in a way too sterile environment—thanks to Mum’s cleaning—throughout the holidays, and then going back to work and dealing with 8 hours’ worth of people who had fallen prey to the common cold.
That’s the risk you run in any profession involving contagious diseases—becoming sick from your own patients. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, even vets if the disease is transmissible from animals to humans. But back to the common cold—there’s a massive market for cold and flu products, and I’ve had to really keep up to date with what ingredient does what.
I’m sure what I’m about to say any pharmacology student would know, hence I shall not be breaking any rules. There’s often confusion about the difference between phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine. Phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine both have similar effects, but it is claimed pseudoephedrine is actually more effective, so next time, if you’ve got a really bad case of nasal congestion, ask for the “original” formula (as many people would term it).
Another thing about pseudoephedrine—why do we need your driver’s licence? Because pseudoephedrine can be used to make methamphetamine, and we need to record your identity so that we can track who’s buying what and whether their buying patterns are suspicious, i.e. possibly indicative of criminal intent.
Second of all, is there any difference between brands? Well, there really isn’t any, if they have the same ingredients in the same concentrations then they’re all equally as effective. Make sure you check that out, if you’re unsure, ask any of the pharmacy assistants and they’ll be able to help. It could save you quite a bit of money too. Some people like their own particular brands, and that’s perfectly fine, but if you’ve ever wondered, there you go.
Thirdly, what’s the difference between the daytime and night time versions of a product? The night time versions are designed to help you sleep—they usually contain a sedating antihistamine, so it’s not just some fancied-up version of the daytime formula. Finally, most of the Codral and Sudafed stuff has paracetamol in it, hence why we tell you not to consume any additional Panadol, Panamax or other paracetamol-containing products. Too much paracetamol can lead to liver problems (!)
So there you go, hope a few of your cold and flu questions have been answered. Talking of which, I should start preparing for hayfever season now…
Disclaimer: this blog is not a substitute for asking your doctor, pharmacist or other qualified health professional.