Beechams Cold & Flu Tablets, Pain & Congestion Relief Medicine with Paracetamol, 16 tablets

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Medical advice should be sought before using this product in patients with these conditions:Medical advice should be sought before taking this medicine in patients with: glutathione depletion due to metabolic deficiencies. Caffeine can increase the elimination of lithium from the body. If taken concomitantly, it is recommended to reduce or moderate the intake of caffeine. There are several on the market that claim to be able to prevent a cold or nip it in the bud at the first sign of symptoms. Adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over should take two capsules every four to six hours as needed. Do not take more than six doses (12 capsules) in 24 hours.

Paracetamol is thought to relieve pain by reducing the production of prostaglandins in the brain and spinal cord. It works to bring down a fever by affecting an area of the brain that regulates our body temperature (the hypothalamic heat-regulating center). This stops you feeling hot or shivery. Contains paracetamol. Patients should be advised not to take other paracetamol-containing products concurrently. The concomitant use with other products containing paracetamol may lead to an overdose. Paracetamol overdose may cause liver failure which may require liver transplant or lead to death. Concomitant use of other decongestants or cold and flu medicines should be avoided. A wealth of other cold and flu remedies are available to buy without a prescription. Many of these will also contain paracetamol, phenylephrine or caffeine in their ingredients. Treatment with activated charcoal should be considered if the overdose has been taken within 1 hour. Plasma paracetamol concentration should be measured at 4 hours or later after ingestion (earlier concentrations are unreliable). Treatment with N-acetylcysteine may be used up to 24 hours after ingestion of paracetamol, however, the maximum protective effect is obtained up to 8 hours post-ingestion. The effectiveness of the antidote declines sharply after this time. If required the patient should be given intravenous N- acetylcysteine, in line with the established dosage schedule. If vomiting is not a problem, oral methionine may be a suitable alternative for remote areas, outside hospital. Management of patients who present with serious hepatic dysfunction beyond 24h from ingestion should be discussed with the NPIS or a liver unit.

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Although paracetamol is considered safe for use during breastfeeding, caffeine passes into breast milk and can cause irritability and poor sleeping pattern in a nursing baby. It is not known if phenylephrine passes into breast milk, or its effect on a nursing infant. However, when taken by mouth, decongestants such as phenylephrine can temporarily decrease the production of breast milk with just one or two doses. For this reason, this medicine is best avoided by mothers who are breastfeeding. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for further advice. No specific antidote is available, but supportive measures such as beta adrenoceptor antagonists to reverse the cardiotoxic effects may be used. This product should not be used by patients taking other sympathomimetics (such as decongestants, appetite suppressants and amphetamine-like psychostimulants). Are taking colestyramine which is used to lower blood cholesterol, or metoclopramide or domperidone for nausea or vomiting. The combination of active ingredients in Beechams powders capsules helps to relieve the symptoms of colds and flu. How do I take it?

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist. How can this medicine affect other medicines? This product should not be used by patients taking other sympathomimetics (such as decongestants, appetite suppressants and amphetamine-like psychostimulants) (see interactions). It is thought paracetamol reduces fever by affecting an area of the brain that regulates our body temperature (the hypothalamic heat-regulating center). The paracetamol in Beechams powders capsules helps relieve aches, pains, sore throats and fever associated with colds and flu. Contains paracetamol. Do not take with other flu, cold or decongestant products. Do not take anything else containing paracetamol while taking this medicine. Do not take more medicine than the label tells you to. If you do not get better, talk to your doctor. Seek immediate medical advice if you take too much of this medicine even if you feel well. If phenylephrine is taken with any of the following medicines, the combination may cause an increase in blood pressure. If you are already taking any of these medicines you should avoid taking this one as well:

Phenylephrine overdosage is likely to result in effects similar to those listed under advserse reactions. Additional symptoms may include hypertension and possibly reflux bradycardia. In severe cases confusion, hallucinations, seizures and arrhythmias may occur. However the amount required to produce serious phenylephrine toxicity would be greater than required to cause paracetamol- related toxicity. Evidence for cough syrups, however, is thin on the ground. They might offer some comfort at the time you take them, simply by coating the throat, but they'll have little to no effect on the natural course of the infection. Here's everything you need to know about Beechams flu caplets, including how they work, who shouldn't use them and the potential side effects: How do Beechams flu plus caplets work? Liver damage is possible in adults who have taken 10g or more of paracetamol. Ingestion of 5g or more of paracetamol may lead to liver damage if the patient has risk factors (see below). Don't be afraid to ask the pharmacist if there's a cheaper generic version of a medicine you're considering, or for advice on the evidence behind certain treatments, as they should be able to help with any queries you have about cold and flu medicines.