Butamirate Citrate

Butamirate Citrate is a centrally acting cough suppressant (non-opioid antitussive) medicine available in Bangladesh under many brand names. Below are its uses, side effects and precautions — and every brand with its current price.

Butamirate Citrate is used for the symptomatic relief of:

• Dry, irritating, non-productive cough of various causes — common cold, flu, throat and airway irritation
• Spasmodic, whooping-cough-like bouts of coughing
• Night-time dry cough that disturbs sleep
• Suppressing cough before and after surgery or bronchoscopy, when a doctor advises

Butamirate Citrate treats the cough symptom only — it does not treat the underlying infection or allergy. It is not intended for wet, productive cough with phlegm, which the body needs to clear. A doctor should evaluate any cough that persists.

Side effects with Butamirate Citrate are uncommon and usually mild. They may include:

• Nausea or stomach discomfort
• Diarrhoea
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Drowsiness in some people
• Skin rash, itching or hives (rare allergic reactions)

These usually settle on their own. Stop the medicine and seek medical help if you develop swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing or a widespread rash. If nausea or dizziness persists, or any other symptom worries you while taking Butamirate Citrate, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

• Do not use Butamirate Citrate for a wet, productive cough. Suppressing a phlegmy cough traps mucus in the airways and can worsen a chest infection
• Never take it together with an expectorant or mucolytic (such as ambroxol, bromhexine or guaifenesin) — one loosens mucus while the other stops you coughing it out
• A cough lasting more than 7 days, or with fever, blood-stained sputum, chest pain or breathlessness, needs a doctor — not just a cough suppressant
• Butamirate Citrate may cause drowsiness or dizziness in some people — be careful when driving
• Diabetics should check the label, as some syrups contain sweeteners such as sorbitol
• Use in children only as directed by a doctor

Butamirate Citrate has few known interactions with other medicines, but some combinations should be avoided:

• Expectorants and mucolytics (ambroxol, bromhexine, guaifenesin) — do not combine; suppressing the cough while loosening mucus can cause mucus to pool in the airways and lead to infection
• Sedatives, sleeping pills and alcohol — may add to any drowsiness caused by the medicine
• Other cough and cold remedies — check with a pharmacist first, as many contain overlapping ingredients

Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medicine, herbal product or supplement you take before starting Butamirate Citrate.

Do not take Butamirate Citrate if you:

• Are allergic to butamirate citrate or any other ingredient of the preparation
• Have a productive (wet) cough with large amounts of phlegm

Age limits differ between forms — infant drops, children's syrup and adult tablets each have minimum ages set on the label, so give children only the preparation a doctor recommends. It is generally avoided in the first trimester of pregnancy. If you have a chronic lung disease such as asthma or COPD, ask your doctor before using Butamirate Citrate.

Pregnancy: Butamirate Citrate should be avoided during the first trimester. In later pregnancy it may be used only if the doctor judges it clearly necessary — never self-medicate for cough while pregnant, as the cause should be checked first.

Breastfeeding: It is not known whether butamirate passes into breast milk. As a precaution, use Butamirate Citrate during breastfeeding only on a doctor's advice, at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest time. If the baby becomes unusually sleepy or feeds poorly, stop the medicine and inform your doctor.

Store Butamirate Citrate below 30°C in a dry place, protected from direct sunlight. Keep the bottle tightly closed.

• Keep out of the reach and sight of children — syrups are sweet and children may drink them accidentally
• Do not use after the expiry date on the pack
• After opening, use the syrup within the period stated on the label and discard the remainder
• Always use the measuring device supplied with the pack