Can taking antiviral oral liquid make you feel drowsy?
Sep 20, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Guo Xiheng
Introduction
Taking antiviral oral liquid may cause drowsiness, as most antiviral oral liquids contain antihistamines that can induce sleepiness. Do not take sedating medications such as antiviral oral liquid before driving. While using antiviral oral liquid, maintain a light diet and avoid raw or cold foods. During treatment, this medication should not be taken concurrently with tonic traditional Chinese medicines to prevent adverse drug interactions.
Antiviral oral liquid may cause drowsiness, as most antiviral oral liquids contain antihistamines that can induce sleepiness. Below are the reasons why antiviral oral liquid may lead to drowsiness:
Antiviral oral liquid contains a large amount of chlorpheniramine maleate, commonly known as chlorphenamine, which is an antihistamine. It helps relieve symptoms of colds such as coughing, sneezing, and runny nose. However, it also has a significant central nervous system depressant effect, which can result in noticeable drowsiness, fatigue, and lethargy. Nonetheless, there's no need to be overly concerned, as chlorphenamine causes minimal harm to the body, and these symptoms will disappear once you stop taking the medication after recovery from the cold.
It is prohibited to take sedating medications such as antiviral oral liquid before driving. When using antiviral oral liquid, maintain a light diet, avoid raw or cold foods, and do not take tonic Chinese herbal medicines concurrently during treatment to prevent adverse drug interactions.
