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How does Medicine such as cough syrup makes us drowsy?

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Zkay

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 7:35 pm Post subject: How does Medicine such as cough syrup makes us drowsy?

Forum Freshman

Joined: 19 Mar 2008
Posts: 3

Is it the medicine contains chemical substances which slows blood circulation to our brain and makes us feeling drowsy?

i_feel_tiredsleepy

Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 6:29 pm Post subject:

Forum Senior

Joined: 21 Mar 2008
Posts: 376
Location: Montreal

Coughing and sneezing is stimulated by the Mast Cells and Basophils through activation by IgE antibodies, and is for mechanical expulsion of the pathogen. These cells release histamine which is picked up by the tissue and causes the coughing and sneezing. Cough medicine usually contains antihistamines which eliminate the histamine to reduce the amount of coughing and sneezing, similar to treatment for allergies.

Antihistimines are also sedatives, I'm not sure about the action of the drugs, but those are the chemical agents in the cough medicine that cause the drowsiness.

Zkay

Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:56 am Post subject:

Forum Freshman

Joined: 19 Mar 2008
Posts: 3

Thanks for the reply. Never tot bout tat (antihistamine). Very Happy

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