Roxithromycin+ambroxol
About
Roxithromycin+ambroxol is a respiratory combination medication primarily used to treat cough associated with respiratory disorders like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Asthma is a breathing problem in which airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty breathing. COPD is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes). Coughing occurs as a reflex action in the throat when there is mucus or any other foreign irritant in it.
The Roxithromycin+ambroxol consists of two medicines: Roxithromycin (antibiotic) and Ambroxol (dilutes viscous cough). Roxithromycin comes into the category of antibiotic medicines that stop bacterial growth by inhibiting the protein synthesis process required for bacterial cell growth. As a result, bacterial cells are not able to reproduce and grow. It is a bacteriostatic antibiotic, i.e. it stops bacteria's growth but does not necessarily kill them. On the other hand, Ambroxol is an 'expectorant' (promotes the secretion of sputum/cough) and 'mucolytic agent' (makes sputum less viscous) to make breathing easier in asthma, and COPD patients who have difficulty in breathing.
Take Roxithromycin+ambroxol preferably with food to avoid stomach upset and swallow whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break it. Your doctor will recommend how often you take Roxithromycin+ambroxol based on your medical condition. Some people may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, taste disturbance, stomach pain, and allergic reaction. Most of these side effects of Roxithromycin+ambroxol do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Before using Roxithromycin+ambroxol tell your doctor if you ever had an allergy to Roxithromycin+ambroxol, have kidney problems, liver problems, heart disease, peptic or duodenal ulcers. Please do not drink alcohol with Roxithromycin+ambroxol as it may increase the unpleasant side effects like drowsiness, and dizziness. Roxithromycin+ambroxol is not recommended in the first three months of pregnancy, and also breastfeeding women should not take it. Do not consume alcohol as it may cause excessive drowsiness when taken along with Roxithromycin+ambroxol.
Uses of Roxithromycin+ambroxol
Medicinal Benefits
Roxithromycin+ambroxol consists of two medicines, namely: Roxithromycin (antibiotic) and Ambroxol (dilutes viscous cough). Roxithromycin comes into the category of antibiotic medicines that stop bacterial growth by inhibiting the protein synthesis process required for bacterial cell growth. As a result, bacterial cells are not able to reproduce and grow. It is a bacteriostatic antibiotic, i.e. it stops bacteria's growth but does not necessarily kill them. On the other hand, Ambroxol is an 'expectorant' (promotes the secretion of sputum/cough) and 'mucolytic agent' (makes sputum less viscous) to make breathing easier in asthma, and COPD patients who have difficulty in breathing.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Roxithromycin+ambroxol
- Taste change
- Stomach pain
- Numbness in the mouth, tongue, and throat
- Diarrhoea
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Let your doctor know if you have any allergic reactions to medicines. Please inform your doctor if you have any history of heart, liver, kidney diseases, peptic or duodenal ulcers. Also, take Roxithromycin+ambroxol with caution if you have asthma or suffer from a severe asthma attack, have had a cough for a long time. Do not take Roxithromycin+ambroxol if you are already taking medicines like ergot alkaloids (anti-migraine medicine), terfenadine or astemizole (anti-allergy medicine), cisapride (stomach medicine), or pimozide (anti-psychotic medication). Take antacids 2 hours before or after taking Roxithromycin+ambroxol. Do not take Roxithromycin+ambroxol, especially during the first three months of pregnancy. Roxithromycin+ambroxol may be excreted in breast milk, so do not use Roxithromycin+ambroxol while breast-feeding. Do not take Roxithromycin+ambroxol without informing your doctor for more than ten days.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Roxithromycin+ambroxol may interact with terfenadine or astemizole (anti-allergy medicine), cisapride (stomach medicine), pimozide (an antipsychotic medicine), statin (a cholesterol-lowering medicine), theophylline (an asthma medicine), bromocriptine (medicine for Parkinson's disease), ergotamine or dihydroergotamine (anti-migraine medicine), and codeine.
Drug-Food Interactions: No known interaction found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have asthma or suffer from serious asthma attacks, have peptic or duodenal ulcers, impaired hepatic function, and heart disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Roxithromycin+ambroxol.
Pregnancy
unsafeDo not take Roxithromycin+ambroxol, especially during the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
unsafeRoxithromycin+ambroxol may be excreted in breast milk, so do not use Roxithromycin+ambroxol while breast-feeding.
Driving
cautionDo not drive or operate machinery if you experience drowsiness, dizziness. This may affect your ability to drive. Seek medical attention if the symptoms persist longer.
Liver
cautionRoxithromycin+ambroxol should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases. Let your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Roxithromycin+ambroxol.
Kidney
cautionRoxithromycin+ambroxol should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. Let your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Roxithromycin+ambroxol.
Children
safe if prescribedRoxithromycin+ambroxol can be given to children if prescribed by a child specialist.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Take Roxithromycin+ambroxol as directed by the doctor and at regular intervals. Do not use other over the counter medications, herbal or vitamin supplements without informing your doctor when you take Roxithromycin+ambroxol.
- Know your triggers like allergens, such as pollen, dust, and food items that make your asthma severe.
- Quit smoking and avoid passive smoking. Smoking also reduces the effectiveness of the medicine.
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to strengthen your breathing muscles and boost your immune system.
- Learning breathing exercises will help you move more air in and out of your lungs.
- Drink warm fluids while you take Roxithromycin+ambroxol to help loosen congestion and lubricate the throat.
Special Advise
- If you are allergic to some sugars, please inform your doctor as Roxithromycin+ambroxol may contain sorbitol.
- You are recommended not to take Roxithromycin+ambroxol for more than 10 days without your doctor’s advice.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Asthma: It is a breathing problem in which airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus (cough), leading to difficulty breathing.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD): It is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes).
FAQs
Do not use cough suppressant medicine like Codeine with Roxithromycin+ambroxol as it can suppress the mucus expectoration.
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Do not stop taking Roxithromycin+ambroxol even if you feel better, as it may worsen your condition. For the best advice, consult your doctor and do as recommended.
Roxithromycin+ambroxol consists of two medicines, namely: Roxithromycin (antibiotic) and Ambroxol (dilutes viscous cough). Roxithromycin is an antibiotic medicine that stops bacterial growth by inhibiting the protein synthesis process required for bacterial cell growth. Ambroxol is an 'expectorant' (promotes the secretion of sputum/cough) and 'mucolytic agent' (makes sputum less viscous) to make breathing easier in asthma, and COPD patients who have difficulty in breathing. It works by thinning and loosening down the mucus in the airway passages.
Roxithromycin+ambroxol may cause dry mouth as a temporary side effect in some people. It is not necessary for everyone taking Roxithromycin+ambroxol to experience this side effect. However, to avoid such side effects, drink plenty of water, regularly rinse your mouth, practice good oral hygiene and suck on sugarless candy. However, if the condition persists or worsens, please consult a doctor.
