Hycodan Oral Solution and Kinrix

• Generic Name: homatropine / hydrocodone
• Dosage Forms: tablets and syrup, oral solution
• Other Brand Names: Hycodan, Hydromet, Tussigon, Hydrotropine, Hydromide, Hydropane

Hydrocodone and homatropine combination is used to relieve cough in adults and children 6 years of age and older. Hydrocodone is a narcotic antitussive (cough suppressant). It acts directly on the cough center in the brain to relieve cough.

When hydrocodone is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. However, people who have continuing cough and nasal congestion should not let the fear of dependence keep them from using narcotics to relieve their cough. Mental dependence (addiction) is not likely to occur when narcotics are used for this purpose. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects if treatment is stopped suddenly. However, severe withdrawal side effects can usually be prevented by gradually reducing the dose over a period of time before treatment is stopped completely.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

• Generic Name: diphtheria toxoid / pertussis, acellular / poliovirus vaccine, inactivated / tetanus toxoid
• Dosage Forms: injection, suspension
• Other Brand Names: Kinrix, Quadracel

Kinrix is a diphtheria, pertussis acellular, tetanus, and polio vaccine. Diphtheria, pertussis acellular, polio, and tetanus are serious diseases caused by bacteria or virus.

Diphtheria causes a thick coating in the nose, throat, and airway. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, or death.

Pertussis (whooping cough) causes coughing so severe that it interferes with eating, drinking, or breathing. These spells can last for weeks and can lead to pneumonia, seizures (convulsions), brain damage, and death.

Polio affects the central nervous system and spinal cord. It can cause muscle weakness and paralysis. Polio is a life threatening condition because it can paralyze the muscles that help you breathe.

Tetanus (lockjaw) causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to "locking" of the jaw so the victim cannot open the mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in about 1 out of 10 cases.

Diphtheria, pertussis, and polio are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through a cut or wound.

Kinrix is used to help prevent these diseases in children who are ages 4 through 6 years (before the 7th birthday) who have received prior vaccination with a DTaP and IPV series.

Kinrix works by exposing your child to a small dose of the virus, bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Like any vaccine, Kinrix vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.