Ascoril Tab

ASCORIL Tablet by Glenmark Laboratories is a combination medicine primarily used to treat cough associated with mucus. It is also marketed as Ascoril Plus Tablet.

Composition

Each tablet of ASCORIL contains three active ingredients:

• Guaiphenesin (100mg): An expectorant that increases the volume of fluid in the airways, reducing mucus stickiness and aiding its removal.
• Terbutaline (2.5mg): A bronchodilator that relaxes muscles and widens the airways, making breathing easier.
• Bromhexine (8mg): A mucolytic agent that thins and loosens phlegm (mucus) in the lungs, windpipe, and nose, making it easier to cough out.

Uses

ASCORIL Tablet is prescribed for the treatment of wet or productive cough associated with various respiratory conditions, including:

• Bronchial asthma
• Bronchitis
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Bronchiectasis and emphysema
• Persistent coughs due to colds or allergies.

It helps in loosening thick mucus, easing its expulsion, and relieving symptoms like chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, and irritation.

Dosage and Administration

ASCORIL Tablet should be taken as directed by a healthcare professional. Typically, adults may take one tablet two to three times daily. It can be taken with or without food but should be swallowed whole with water; do not chew, crush, or break the tablet. For optimal results, it is advisable to take it at a fixed time, and the prescribed dose should not be exceeded.

Side Effects

Common side effects may include:

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach discomfort, indigestion, bloating
• Headache, dizziness, drowsiness, tremor
• Sweating, muscle cramps
• Increased or fast heart rate, palpitations, irregular heartbeats
• Skin rash, itching

Most of these side effects are usually temporary and resolve over time. Consult a doctor if they persist or worsen.

Precautions

• Allergies: Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any components of ASCORIL Tablet.
• Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Advise your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding, as it may pass to the baby.
• Medical Conditions: Use with caution in patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), stomach ulcers, phenylketonuria, epilepsy/fits, or kidney, liver, or heart problems. Terbutaline can elevate heart rate.
• Alcohol & Driving: May cause drowsiness or dizziness; avoid driving or operating heavy machinery. Do not consume alcohol as it can worsen drowsiness.
• Drug Interactions: Inform your doctor about all other medications, including steroids, xanthine medicines (e.g., Theophylline), beta-blockers (e.g., Atenolol), and diuretics, as they may interact with ASCORIL.
• Not recommended for children below 12 years of age.

Storage

Store ASCORIL Tablet in a cool and dry place, preferably below 25°C or 30°C. Keep it in its original packaging, away from direct sunlight and moisture, and out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date.

Ascoril Tablet, manufactured by Glenmark Laboratories, is a medication primarily used to manage various respiratory conditions involving cough with mucus. It combines three active ingredients to help clear airways and ease breathing.

What is Ascoril Tablet used for?

Ascoril Tablet is used to treat cough, especially when it is associated with mucus (phlegm). It helps to relieve symptoms such as chest tightness, difficulty in breathing, wheezing, and coughing, which are often linked to conditions like bronchial asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, and emphysema.

How does Ascoril Tablet work?

Ascoril Tablet works through the combined action of its three components: Guaifenesin, Terbutaline, and Bromhexine. Guaifenesin acts as an expectorant, decreasing the stickiness of mucus in the windpipe and lungs. Bromhexine is a mucolytic, which thins and loosens the consistency of mucus, making it easier to cough out. Terbutaline is a bronchodilator that relaxes the muscles of the windpipe, thereby making breathing easier.

What is the usual dosage of Ascoril Tablet?

For adults, the typical dosage is one tablet taken two to three times daily, or as directed by your doctor. It should be swallowed whole with a glass of water, without cutting, breaking, or chewing. For optimal results, it is best to take it at a fixed time, with or without food, although some sources suggest taking it after meals to minimize stomach upset. The dosage for children should be determined by a doctor based on their weight and medical condition.

What are the possible side effects of Ascoril Tablet?

Common side effects may include headache, nausea, vomiting, shaking or tremors, fast heartbeats (palpitations), dizziness, sweating, loss of appetite, muscle cramps, feeling tense, irritation in the mouth and throat, changes in sleeping patterns, and low blood potassium levels. If any side effects persist or worsen, it is advisable to consult your doctor.

Is Ascoril Tablet safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Ascoril Tablet may pass into the blood of a developing baby and could produce side effects, especially during the first three months of pregnancy, where it is contraindicated. Therefore, pregnant women or those planning a pregnancy should consult their doctor before taking this medicine. Components of Ascoril Tablet may also pass into breast milk and potentially affect the baby, so it is generally not recommended for breastfeeding mothers without a doctor's advice.

Can Ascoril Tablet be taken with other medications?

It is important to inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking, including over-the-counter and herbal medicines. Ascoril Tablet may interact with certain medications, such as steroid medicines (e.g., Prednisolone), xanthine medicines (e.g., Theophylline), beta-blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Propranolol), diuretics (water tablets like Frusemide), MAO inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, disulfiram, metronidazole, procarbazine, some antibiotics (e.g., Erythromycin, Cefalexin), and anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., Salicylates). It should not be taken with other cough-suppressing medicines that inhibit the cough reflex, such as codeine.

What precautions should be taken while using Ascoril Tablet?

Do not take Ascoril Tablet if you are allergic to any of its ingredients or if you have stomach or intestinal ulcers. Caution is advised for individuals with liver or kidney problems, epilepsy, diabetes mellitus, heart conditions (such as irregular heartbeats, angina, or high blood pressure), an overactive thyroid gland, or sugar intolerance. Since this medicine may cause dizziness and sleepiness, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you understand how it affects you. It is also recommended to avoid alcohol, as it can worsen drowsiness. Ascoril Tablet is not recommended for children below 12 years of age. If your cough persists for more than one week, recurs, or is accompanied by a fever, rash, or persistent headache, consult your doctor.

What happens if a dose of Ascoril Tablet is missed?

If you forget to take a dose of Ascoril Tablet, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one.

How should Ascoril Tablet be stored?

Ascoril Tablet should be stored below 25°C or 30°C in its original packaging. Keep it away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture, and out of sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after its expiry date.