Nuedexta is a combination of quinidine and dextromethorphan. This is a medication for people who have pseudobulbar affect or any other neurological diseases. Know more about pseudobulbar affect in this site here. Let’s take a look at each medication and disease so that one can have a clear idea of what Nuedexta is.
What is Quinidine?
Quinidine is a kind of medication that helps people with cardiovascular diseases. It is derived from the bark of the chinchona tree. Quinidine decreases the irregular heartbeats a person may have. It may not stop all the irregularities in the pulses, but it can block abnormal signals from the heart.
Most manufacturers will suggest taking a small dose of quinidine first to determine the body’s reaction to it. The best way to take this medication is to consult your physician about the right dosage and the frequency that you should follow.
What is Dextromethorphan?
This is a kind of drug that is described as a morphine class. This is used to suppress cough and colds. It is sold in the form of tablets, sprays, and lozenges. Many people associate the morphinan class by having dissociative, stimulant, and sedative properties. In the case of dextromethorphan, when one uses it as a recreational drug, it can produce a dissociative hallucination state.
The primary use of dextromethorphan is to suppress cough and provide temporary relief to the throat. The common cold or the flu can irritate the bronchial tubes, and the medicine can be useful in controlling the irritants. Read more about this cough suppressant in this site: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dextromethorphan.
What is Pseudobulbar Affect?
In the year 2010, the Food and Drug Administration officially approved the combination of quinidine and dextromethorphan to treat pseudobulbar affect.
PBA or also called emotional incontinence is the sudden outburst of laughing or crying with little to no environmental stimulus. Most patients would find themselves in an uncontrollable episode of laughter, even if there were no stimuli that elicited that response. The crying or the laughing episodes can last up to several minutes, as well.
When provoked, the patients can have an exaggerated response to the stimulus and can display a range of emotions in a matter of minutes. A person might begin to weep instead of just sighing, and he might have fits of laughter instead of just smiling.
In some patients, the emotional display might be incongruent to the stimulus presented. Some people may laugh on a piece of tragic news shown on television, and others may cry on a funny comic that they are reading. Some people may laugh for several minutes and will cry uncontrollably afterward.
The Social Impact of PBA
It’s true that many people can still function normally while they have PBA. They can eat, sleep, or walk without any problems. However, the symptoms may impact some socially. Frequent outbursts in public with no apparent reason may lead to social withdrawal for many people.
Some may affect their professional life as most of their colleagues in their office may start to avoid them. The avoidance can be hard for many people as it can be harder for them to cope. Many people might tend to judge someone who have neurological disorders, especially those who exhibit uncontrollable emotions. This is sad for people with PBA, but it’s the reality.
Fortunately, some people are willing to help patients who exhibit symptoms of PBA. With the help of medication such as Nuedexta, the symptoms can lessen, and the healing process can be achieved in the fastest time possible. There are in-depth articles about Nuedexta uses that you may want to check to know more information about this drug.
How to Take the Drug
When your physician prescribes Nuedexta to you, be sure to read all the guidelines and sheet instructions upon receiving.
Check the expiration date on the label and use the medicine as directed.
You may want to take Nuedexta once a day for a week, then once every 12 hours as directed. You need to follow your physician’s instructions very carefully and try not to miss a dose.
The drug can be taken with or without food.
When you are taking this medication, follow your doctor’s appointment schedules. She can check your progress regularly by taking medical tests to see how the drug is reacting within your body.
Store according to package instructions. Make sure to keep the bottle or the tablets away from heat and moisture.
Missing a Dose
Some people might miss a dose because they have overslept, they were out of town, or they simply forgot.
When you miss a tablet, take one as soon as you remember it. However, if it’s already time for your next medication, you can skip the last one. Don’t take two pills unless directed by your physician.
It is not recommended to take more than two capsules in a day unless prescribed by the doctor.
If one overdose accidentally, he should see a doctor immediately. You can call your emergency hotline so that you can be given medical attention as soon as possible.
Overdose can cause dizziness, double vision, hearing loss, irregular heartbeat, or even seizures. There are also drinks that you should avoid, including grapefruit juice and alcohol.
A Final Word
You should know more about Nuedexta’s uses, side effects, precautions, and overdoses before taking it. When it is prescribed by your physician, ensure that you follow her orders, and take the drug on time. The information above is just intended to supplement and not a substitute for the expertise of doctors and other healthcare providers. A patient should consult his physician first before taking the drug, and he should ask about particular changes in his diet while taking the medication.
