Boots Pharmacy Cold & Flu Day Capsules
(Paracetamol, Pholcodine, Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
Please read all of this leaflet carefully because it contains important information for you.
This medicine is available without prescription to treat minor conditions. However, you still need to take it carefully to get the best results from it.
- Keep this leaflet, you may need to read it again
- Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice
What this medicine is for
This medicine contains Paracetamol, an analgesic, which relieves pain and reduces fever, a decongestant to relieve a blocked nose and a cough suppressant to relieve coughing.
It can be used to relieve the major symptoms of colds and flu including aches and pains, fever, blocked nose and dry, tickly coughs. Dry coughs do not produce phlegm or mucus on the chest.
For children, simple treatments should be tried first before you give this medicine. Further information on "Treating coughs and colds in children" is provided at the end of this leaflet.
Before you take this medicine
This medicine can be taken by adults and children of 6 years and over. However, some people should not take this medicine or should seek the advice of their pharmacist or doctor first.
Do not take:
If you are allergic to any of the ingredients in this medicine (see "What is in this medicine")
If you are allergic to other decongestants
If you have severe kidney problems or liver failure
If you have heart or blood vessel disease including poor circulation in your hands and feet
If you have high blood pressure (including that due to a tumour near your kidneys)
If you have difficulty breathing
If you have long-term lung problems or an infection which produces lots of phlegm on the chest
If you have diabetes
If you have an overactive thyroid
If you have raised pressure in the eye (glaucoma)
If you are hyperactive
If you are taking any of these medicines:
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors or moclobeminde (for depression), or have taken them in the last 14 days
- Medicines called beta-blockers (normally for heart problems)
- Other decongestants
- Other cough and cold medicines
If you are a man with prostate problems
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Talk to your doctor:
- If you have a long-term cough or asthma (do not take this medicine if you are wheezing or if you are having an asthma attack)
- If you have a cough which products lots of phlegm
Talk to your pharmacist or doctor:
- If you have other kidney or liver problems (including liver problems caused by drinking alcohol)
Other important information
If you are going into hospital for an operation, tell the doctor that you are taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines: This medicine may make you feel drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or use machines until you are sure you are not affected.
Do not drink alcohol (wine, beer, spirits) whilst taking this medicine. Alcohol increases the risk of side effects occurring and may make you feel more drowsy.
Information about some of the ingredients in this medicine: The colour allura red (E129) may cause allergic reactions.
If you take other medicines
This medicine contains paracetamol. Do not take with any other paracetamol-containing products.
Before you take these capsules, make sure that you tell your pharmacist about ANY other medicines you might be using at the same time, particularly the following:
- Water tablets (diuretics) and medicines to treat high blood pressure
- Medicines for heart problems (e.g. digoxin)
- Medicines that may make you feel sleepy or drowsy such as strong painkillers, medicines for epilepsy or medicines for mental health conditions
- Medicines which may cause a dry mouth (e.g. tricyclic antidepressants), medicines to reduce your appetite or stimulant medicines
- Ergot alkaloids (for migraine)
- Oxytocin (to induce labour and stop excessive bleeding after the birth)
- Domperidone or metoclopramide (for feeling sick or being sick)
- Colestyramine (for lowering blood fat levels)
- Warfarin or other coumarins (for thinning the blood) – if you take warfarin you can take occasional amounts of this medicine, but talk to your doctor first before you take it on a regular basis
If you are unsure about interactions with any other medicines, talk to your pharmacist. This includes medicines prescribed by your doctor or medicine you have bought for yourself including herbal and homeopathic remedies.
How to take this medicine
Check that the foil is not broken before use. If it is discard the capsule.
Adults and children of 12 years and over
Take two capsules
Every 4 hours, if you need to.
Don't take more than 8 capsules in any 24 hours.
Or
If you intend to take a night time cold product at bedtime don't take more than 6 of these capsules in any 24 hours.
Children of 6 to 11 years
Take one capsule
Every 4 hours, if you need to.
Don't take more than 3 capsules in any 24 hours.
Swallow each capsule whole with water.
Do not give to children under 6 years.
Do not take more than the amount recommended above.
If you are treating a child and their symptoms worsen at any time, talk to a pharmacist or doctor.
Do not take this medicine for more than 5 days, unless your doctor tells you to.
If symptoms do not go away talk to your doctor.
If you take too many capsules:
Immediate medical advice should be sought in the event of an overdose, even if you feel well, because of the risk of delayed, serious liver damage. Go to your nearest hospital casualty department. Take your medicine and this leaflet with you.
Possible side effects
Most people will not have problems, but some may get some.
If you get any of these serious side effects, stop taking the capsules. See a doctor at once:
- Difficulty in breathing, swelling of the face, neck, tongue or throat (severe allergic reactions)
If you get any of these side effects, stop taking the capsules:
- Hallucinations
- Restlessness
- Sleep disturbances
These other effects are less serious. If they bother you talk to a pharmacist:
- Other allergic reactions such as skin rash
- Feeling sick, being sick, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach upset, stomach pain
- Headache, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, loss of appetite
- Anxiety, feelings of paranoia, irritability, feeling excited or confused, difficulty sleeping, nightmares
- Tremors, sweating, drowsiness, dizziness
- Fast, slow or irregular heart beat, palpitations
- High blood pressure
- Difficulty in passing urine
- Phlegm on the chest
- Unusual bruising, or infections such as sore throats – this may be a sign of very rare changes in the blood
If any side effect becomes severe, or if you notice any side effect not listed here, please tell your pharmacist or doctor.
How to store this medicine
Do not store above 25°C.
Keep this medicine in a safe place out of the sight and reach of children, preferably in a locked cupboard.
Use by the date on the foil or the end flap of the carton. After this date return any unused product to your nearest pharmacy for safe disposal.
Store in the original package.
What is in this medicine
Each capsule contains Paracetamol 500 mg, Pholcodine 5 mg, Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride 30 mg, which are the active ingredients.
As well as the active ingredients, the capsules also contain sodium laurilsulfate, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate. The capsule shell contains gelatin and colours, which are; quinoline yellow (E104), allura red (E129), titanium dioxide (E171), and opacode black (printing ink containing shellac, iron oxide (E172), soya lecithin, antifoam DC 1510).
This pack contains 24 orange and yellow capsules with 0580 and BOOTS printed in black.
Who makes this medicine
Manufactured for the Marketing Authorisation holder
by
Leaflet prepared May 2009
If you would like any further information about this product, please contact
Treating coughs and colds in children
It's normal for children to get 8 or more colds in a year, however gradually they build up immunity and get fewer colds. Most colds will get better within a few days and you may not need to do more than keep your child comfortable until they get over it. Antibiotics will not help to treat a cold as they are caused by viruses and not bacteria.
Follow these simple steps, which may help your child overcome their cough or cold:
1. If your child is hot or has a fever: Increase the amount of fluid your child normally drinks. Lower their temperature with a Paracetamol or Ibuprofen medicine, which is suitable for children. (Paracetamol is not suitable for children under 2 months. Ibuprofen is not suitable for children under 3 months.)
Your pharmacist will be able to help you find a suitable product if in doubt.
2. For coughs: Although it may be distressing to hear your child cough, the coughing itself serves an important purpose. It helps to clear phlegm on the chest or mucus from the nose. Give your child plenty of lukewarm clear fluids to drink, which may help to loosen the phlegm and relax the airways.
3. To help with breathing: Plain saline nose drops, available from your pharmacy, can help babies with blocked noses who are having trouble feeding.
Other formats
To request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio please call, free of charge:
0800 198 5000 (UK only)
Please be ready to give the following information:
Product name: Boots Pharmacy Cold & Flu Day Capsules
Reference number: 00014/0580
This is a service provided by the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
BTC44439 vE 02/06/09
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