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Dextromethorphan + Pholcodine + Noscapine
Part of group: Central cough suppressant
SACAA Part 67 assessment
Not acceptable / incompatible with flying duties
Alcohol plus a sedating medicine — additive effect
Alcohol multiplies the sedation and reaction-time impairment of this medicine. The two clocks run separately: the 8-hour alcohol restriction (and the 0.02 g/100 ml limit) and the medicine's own washout period — you are only clear once the later of the two has passed and you are completely side-effect free.
Contains alcohol or may contain alcohol
No aviation duty within 8 hours of any alcohol — and never above 0.02 g/100 ml blood alcohol concentration.
Many liquid medicines (cough mixtures, elixirs, tinctures, tonics, some drops and mouthwashes) contain ethanol as a solvent, and the label may only say 'ethanol', 'alcohol' or 'spiritus'. No aviation duty within 8 hours of consuming any alcohol, and never with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 g/100 ml or higher (CAR 91.02.3 / Part 67). Alcohol also multiplies the sedating effect of antihistamines, benzodiazepines, opioids and Z-drugs. Choose an alcohol-free preparation whenever one exists, and check the label of every liquid medicine before duty.
Active ingredient(s)
3 in groupCentral cough suppressant
Typical grounding period: 24 hours
Measured from the last dose, and only once completely side-effect free.
Guidance notes
Centrally acting cough suppressants are sedating, are frequently combined with antihistamines or codeine, and the liquid forms often contain alcohol. Not acceptable before or during duty. Also note that the underlying respiratory infection is usually itself disqualifying because of barotrauma risk.
Known SA brand names
Our DAME partners
Dr Berlize du Plessis
Senior DAME · MS213
Kenridge, Cape Town
Dr Brandon Head
Senior DAME · MS229
Sunninghill, Sandton
Dr Ernest Schutz
Senior DAME · MS028
Germiston
Dr Mariska van Tonder
Senior DAME · MS222
Somerset West
Dr Richard Albrecht
Senior DAME · MS074
Strubensvalley, Roodepoort
Dr. Schalk Reyneke
Senior DAME · MS123
Honeydew, Roodepoort
Possible acceptable alternatives (same therapeutic group)
Alternatives are informational only. The underlying medical condition must also be assessed by a DAME — a condition can ground you even when the medicine is acceptable.