Ammonium chloride is one of the ingredients used in cough medicine. Ammonium chloride used as a mixture in cough medicine has an expectorant effect. This effect makes phlegm thinner and easier to expel.
Apart from being an ingredient in cough medicine, ammonium chloride in injection dosage forms can also be used to treat metabolic alkalosis.
Injectable preparations of this drug work by increasing the level of chloride in the blood, so that the acidity level increases. However, injectable form of ammonium chloride is not yet available in Indonesia.
Ammonium chloride trademark: Benacol Expectorant, Bufagan Expectorant, Cough-En, Dexyl, Emtusin, Erphakaf Plus, Etadryl Expectorant, Fenidryl, Floradryl, Ifarsyl Plus, Inadryl, Itrabat, Lapisiv, Miradryl, Molexdryl, Multicol, Neladryl DMP, Neladryl Expectorant, Nichodryl, Nusadryl, Black cough medicine (OBH), Ometidryl, Pectorin, Poncodryl, Pyridryl, Ramadryl Expectorant, Standryl Expectorant, Unidryl, Ventusif, Winapen, Yekadryl Expectorant, Yekadryl Extra
What is Ammonium Chloride
| group | Over-the-counter medicine (cough medicine) Prescription medicine (injections) |
| Category | Expectorants, electrolyte supplements |
| Benefit | In mixed form with cough medicine it is useful as an expectorant |
| Consumed by | Adults and children |
| Ammonium chloride for pregnant and lactating women | Tablet and syrup formCategory N: Not categorized.Injection form Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. It is not known whether ammonium chloride is absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Tablets, syrups, injections |
Precautions Before Using Ammonium Chloride
Ammonium chloride should not be used carelessly. The following are things to consider before using ammonium chloride:
- Do not use ammonium chloride if you are allergic to this drug.
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, have an electrolyte imbalance, or have a respiratory disorder, such as asthma or a chronic cough.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- See your doctor right away if you have an allergic drug reaction, overdose, or serious side effect.
Dosage and Rules for Use of Ammonium Chloride
The dose of ammonium chloride used as a cough medicine mixture will follow the cough medicine dosage listed on the package. Meanwhile, ammonium chloride in injectable form will be given directly by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor.
The dose of injectable ammonium chloride to treat low blood chloride levels and metabolic alkalosis in adults and children is 0.2 L/KgBW x (103 - chloride levels in the blood). Half the dose is given in the first 12 hours and then re-evaluated.
How to Consume Ammonium Chloride Correctly
Always follow your doctor's advice and read the instructions on the medicine package before using ammonium chloride.
Consumption of ammonium chloride in the form of cough medicine tablets as a whole with the help of a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the tablet as this may increase the risk of side effects.
Before taking ammonium chloride in cough syrup, shake the bottle first. Use the measuring spoon included in the package to measure the dose.
Do not use a tablespoon or other spoon to measure the medication as the dosage may vary. Do not mix syrup with water or other medicines.
Take ammonium chloride at the same time every day. If you forget to take ammonium chloride, take this medicine immediately if the interval between the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
Store ammonium chloride at room temperature, in a dry place, and away from direct sunlight. Keep ammonium chloride out of reach of children.
Ammonium Chloride Interaction with Other Drugs
Ammonium chloride which is used as a mixture in cough medicine generally does not cause a significant interaction effect with other drugs. However, injectable form of ammonium chloride can cause some interactions when used with other drugs, such as:
- Increases risk of side effects of potassium-sparing diuretics
- Increases blood levels of chlorpropamide or salicylates
- Lowering levels of amantadine, amphetamine, mecamylamine, or /β- drugsagonists
Ammonium Chloride Side Effects and Hazards
Ammonium chloride used as a mixture in cough medicine is generally safe for consumption as long as it is used according to the dose given by the doctor. While ammonium chloride in injectable dosage forms can cause the following side effects:
- Fever
- skin rash
- Headache
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Pain, irritation, or swelling at the injection site
Consult a doctor if these side effects do not go away or get worse. See a doctor immediately if you have an allergic reaction to the drug or any of the more serious side effects below:
- Pale
- Excessive sweating
- Irregular breath
- Throw up
- Irregular heartbeat
- Twitch
- Shaky