Journal of Medical Erudite

Pholcodine is used commonly as cough suppressent in medical practice. It is generally prescribed in combination with anti-histaminics as cough syrup or tablets. In many countries Pholcodine has been withdrawn from the market. It has been suspected that Pholcodine is responsible for anaphylactic reactions with neuromuscular blocking agents in operative patients. Unusually high levels of Ig E antibody titer has been found in such operative patients. In most of such cases history of exposure to pholcodine was also found. To explain all these phenomenon a hypothesis has been proposed named “ Pholcodine hypothesis”. In indian market Pholcodine preparations are easily available without prescriptions.

This case presented with typical clinical features of allergic reaction. On taking detailed history exposure to preparations containing Pholcodine also has been confirmed.