Vanacof

Vanacof is a medicine in the form of a liquid that offers complete relief from sinus troubles, congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itchy noses, and sore throat, as well as itchy and/or watery eyes.

Vanacof is a highly effective decongestant and antihistamine, which helps in combination with a cough suppressant. The decongestant is useful in constricting blood vessels and reducing swelling of the nasal passage while the antihistamine works against histamines and reduces the symptoms of a cold, such as sneezing and watery eyes. The cough suppressant decreases the cough reflex and reduces dry cough.

Vanacof may interact with:

• MAOI inhibitors (i.e. furazolidone, linezolid, procarbazine)
• Anti-allergy (i.e. diphenhydramine spray, ointment or cream)
• Anticonvulsant or anti- seizure (i.e. carbamazepine)
• Medicine that makes you sleepy (i.e. sleeping pills, muscle relaxant, narcotic pain relievers
• Antipsychotic medicine (i.e. risperidone, chlorpromazine)
• Antidepressant (i.e. venlafaxine)
• Ipratropium (Atrovent)

Some drugs may either lessen the beneficial effects or worsen the side effects of Vanacof. Likewise, Vanacof may make some drugs less efficient or intensify their side effects.

Make sure to inform your doctor about all other drugs you are currently taking or using (prescribed and non-prescribed medications including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products) to check for possible drug interaction with Vanacof.

Never alter doses of other medications while on Vanacof. Don’t stop nor start any medicine without the doctor’s recommendation.

Vanacof may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines, so use Vanacof with caution. Do not drive or perform other unsafe tasks until you know how you react to the medication. Do not drink alcohol while using Vanacof.

Check with your doctor before using medicines that may cause drowsiness (e.g., sleep aids or muscle relaxers) while taking Vanacof, as it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.

Do not take diet or appetite control medications alongside Vanacof without checking with your doctor.

Vanacof has a decongestant, antihistamine, and cough suppressant in it, so before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has any of those three as well. If it does or if you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not use Vanacof for a cough with a lot of mucus. Do not use it for a long-term cough (e.g., caused by asthma, emphysema, or smoking). However, you may use it for these conditions if your doctor tells you.

Do not take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than recommended without checking with your doctor.

If new symptoms occur, or if the cough or nasal congestion persists for more than one week, goes away and returns, or occurs along with a fever, rash, or persistent headache, check with your doctor; a persistent cough may be a sign of a serious condition.

Vanacof may cause you to become sunburned more easily, so avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to the liquid. Use sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.

Vanacof may interfere with skin allergy tests, so if you are scheduled for a skin test, talk to your doctor; you may need to stop taking Vanacof for a few days before the tests.

Tell your doctor or dentist if you are taking Vanacof before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.

Use Vanacof with caution in the elderly, as they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, nervousness, sleeplessness, and trouble urinating.

Caution is advised when using Vanacof in children, as they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially excitability.

Vanacof should not be used in children younger than six years of age without first checking with the child's doctor; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.

If you become pregnant, contact your doctor, as you will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Vanacof while you are pregnant. Some ingredients in Vanacof are found in breast milk, but you should not breastfeed while taking Vanacof.

Before taking Vanacof, make sure you are not allergic to its ingredients. The medicine should be taken under strict medical observation if you have any of the following:

• Severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Any kind of severe heart blood vessel disease
• Problems breathing and rapid heartbeat
• Severe heart problems
• Problems while urinating
• Asthma attacks or a history of asthma
• If you are taking droxidopa or sodium oxybate (GHB)
• If you consume furazolidone or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
• If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding
• If you are already taking any prescription or nonprescription medicines in the form of an herbal preparation, Ayurveda, or dietary supplements
• Any allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• A history of adrenal gland problems in the form of adrenal gland tumors, heart problems like fast, slow, or irregular heartbeats or heart disease
• High or low blood pressure or low blood volume
• Diabetes or any form of blood vessel problems
• Glaucoma or increased pressure in the eye
• Seizures or mental or mood problems, such as depression
• Thyroid problems or trouble sleeping
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)  
• Bowel ulcers or blockage of the stomach, bladder, or bowels
• If you are taking medication for any other health issue

Vanacof is best for a sore throat. Always check your medical condition before taking the liquid medicine. If you encounter any problems, talk to a doctor or pharmacist and discuss your medical condition. 

Does Vanacof work like codien or promethezyne?

Vanacof CD does contain active ingredients like codeine, dexchlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine. Codeine belongs to the narcotics group of drugs that acts like a cough suppressant, affecting brain signals which induce the coughing reflex to an irritant. The dexchlorpheniramine ingredient present in Vanacof is an antihistamine which brings down the level of chemical histamines in the body.

Histamines are the body’s auto-immune response to foreign particles that enter in the body. Histamines cause various reactions in the body as a defense mechanism by the body like sneezing, itching, watering of eyes, and running nose.

Phenylephrine on the other hand has the function of a decongestant which helps in reducing the inflammation of the blood vessels in the nasal passage, resulting in the nasal congestion or stuffy nose.

The combination of these three ingredients in Vanacof help in treating the main symptoms of cough and cold like running nose, cough, chest congestion, and sneezing which often occurs due to the common cold.

Codeine is not applicable for treating a cough that results due to conditions other than a cold, like smoking, breathing issues, or asthma. Codeine and promethazine fight coughing symptoms as well. The Promethazine works as an antihistamine too just like dexchlorpheniramine, making it an additional ingredient in Vanacof.

Is Vanacof liquid safe for children?

Although Vanacof is a safe drug, it is not advised to give Vanacof decongesting liquid to kids below the age of 6 years as it may have some adverse side effects. The best way to deal with cough and cold symptoms for children as small as 6 years is through the use of natural remedies like inhaling steam and using natural essential oils that help in dealing with cough and cold symptoms. Misusing cough and cold drugs including Vanacof could have serious repercussions for very small children.

Is Vanacof safe for pregnant women?

Some medical conditions including pregnancy could interact with Vanacof in a manner that is not the expected outcome of the medication. If you are suffering from a bout of cough and cold and are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are nursing your baby, do not consume Vanacof syrup without consulting your doctor. While the drug is considered safe, some pregnant women might react differently to this drug due to other underlying conditions that are associated with pregnancy.

To ensure that Vanacof doesn't produce any undesirable reactions for you or your baby, consult with your doctor.

Are there any safety instructions associated with consuming Vanacof?

There are several important instructions that should be kept in mind before consuming the Vanacof drug.

Some of these important instructions are:

• VanaCof DX liquid is often known to produce certain side effects like heaviness in the head, and a dizzy feeling that is also accompanied by drowsiness. These side effects could worsen when one uses this medicine along with other medications or with alcohol. Speak to your doctor before you start using Vanacof liquid and avoid consuming alcohol. It is also best to avoid any unsafe activity while you are on this drug.
• In case you have other health conditions and are taking medications for them, speak to your doctor about medicines that could cause drowsiness before you start taking Vanacof. Those drugs along with Vanacof could aggravate your drowsiness symptoms which could eventually become concerning. Speak to your doctor or your pharmacist about medications that could result in drowsiness.
• Avoid medications that suppress the appetite while taking Vanacof. If you are taking such medications regularly, consult your doctor to understand if they are safe or not.
• Before starting any new medication, it is extremely crucial to check the label to see if it has any ingredients that act as decongestants, cough suppressants, or expectorants, especially if you are already on Vanacof. Taking these new decongestant drugs along with Vanacof will not make you feel better faster, but are only likely to aggravate your symptoms.
• It is advised to not increase your dosage or use the drug for a longer period than what is recommended wit out prior consultation with your doctor.
• In case you have new symptoms following a cold, or if the current cold and nasal congestion doesn't improve even after taking Vanacof for over a week or if symptoms reappear, it could be a sign of another health condition. It is important to go for a follow-up consultation with your doctor if any such conditions exist.
• A constant cough that doesn't subside after Vanacof is often a sign of a serious infection that needs more advanced treatment.
• Avoid using VanaCof DX liquid if your cough produces a lot of mucus, as it is likely to aggravate your discomfort level.
• Consuming VanaCof DX liquid could cause certain interference with lab tests that are conducted. In case you are going for any particular testing, make sure you speak to your doctor or the lab technicians and inform them that you are taking Vanacof.