Alahist CF and Castor Oil

• Generic Name: dexbrompheniramine / dextromethorphan / phenylephrine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Alahist CF, G-P-Tuss DXP, Panatuss DXP, Supress A Pediatric, Alahist DM, Bionatuss, Supress A, Tussall, Tussall-ER, Dexall, Y-Cof DM, Panatuss Pediatric DXP

Dexbrompheniramine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.

Phenylephrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

Alahist CF is a combination medicine used to treat runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, cough, and sinus congestion caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

Alahist CF will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

Alahist CF may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

• Generic Name: castor oil
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Chloraseptic, Emulsoil, Neoloid, Purge

Has been used as a stimulant laxative to relieve occasional constipation. However, castor oil usually is avoided for simple constipation because it produces violent purgation.

Use of stimulant laxatives for simple constipation is seldom necessary or desirable.

If a stimulant laxative is used, senna derivatives are preferred.

Stimulant laxatives have been used to treat constipation that occurs following prolonged bed rest or hospitalization.

Stimulant laxatives have been used to treat constipation resulting from diminished colonic motor response in geriatric patients but, because this type of constipation is frequently due to psychological or physical laxative dependence, the bulk-forming laxatives are preferred.

Stimulant laxatives are used to treat constipation occurring secondary to idiopathic slowing of transit time, to constipating drugs, or to irritable bowel or spastic colon syndrome.

Stimulant laxatives have been used to treat constipation in patients with neurologic constipation.

Used orally to empty the bowel prior to surgery or radiologic, proctoscopic, or sigmoidoscopic procedures, when thorough evacuation is essential.

Usually supplemented with administration of rectal evacuants, such as saline, stimulant, or soapsuds enemas, immediately before radiologic procedures.