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

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There are times when you might want to opt for a specific formulation and pay a bit more. For example, if you have trouble swallowing pills and need a tablet that dissolves in water, or has a smooth gel coating, Caffeine is a mild stimulant that helps reduce fatigue. Caffeine is also thought to enhance the painkilling effect of paracetamol. Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

The body produces prostaglandins in response to injury and certain diseases. One of the effects of prostaglandins is to sensitise nerve endings, causing pain (presumably to prevent us from causing further harm to the area). As paracetamol reduces the production of these nerve sensitising prostaglandins it is thought it may increase our pain threshold, so that although the cause of the pain remains, we can feel it less. 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. Acute pancreatitis has been observed, usually with hepatic dysfunction and liver toxicity. Patients should be advised not to take other paracetamol-containing or other cold, flu or decongestant products concurrently. Medical advice should be sought if symptoms worsen, persist for more than 7 days, or are accompanied by high fever, skin rash or persistent headache. No specific antidote is available, but supportive measures such as beta adrenoceptor antagonists to reverse the cardiotoxic effects may be used. You should not use this medicine if you are currently taking a type of medicine called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), or have taken one of these medicines in the last 14 days. MAOIs include the antidepressants phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid and moclobemide, and the anti-Parkinson's medicines selegiline and rasagiline. This is because the combination of phenylephrine with these medicines could cause a dangerous increase in blood pressure (hypertensive crisis).This product should not be used by patients taking other sympathomimetics (such as decongestants, appetite suppressants and amphetamine-like psychostimulants). Cholestyramine reduces the absorption of paracetamol from the gut. It should not be taken within an hour of taking this medicine or the effect of the paracetamol will be reduced. Standard painkillers can go a long way to alleviate the worst of common cold symptoms, including easing headaches and muscle pain and bringing down a temperature. Symptoms of paracetamol overdosage in the first 24 hours are pallor, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and abdominal pain. Liver damage may become apparent 12 to 48 hours after ingestion and have peaked after 4-6 days. Abnormalities of glucose metabolism and metabolic acidosis may occur. In severe poisoning, hepatic failure may progress to encephalopathy, haemorrhage, hypoglycaemia, cerebral oedema, and death. Acute renal failure with acute tubular necrosis, strongly suggested by loin pain, haematuria and proteinuria, may develop even in the absence of severe liver damage. Cardiac arrhythmias and pancreatitis have been reported. 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 take Beechams flu plus caplets if you're taking any of the following medicines, because the combination may increase your blood pressure: Since this medicine contains caffeine, you should avoid drinking lots of caffeine-containing drinks, eg tea, coffee, cola, while you are taking it. Excessive caffeine consumption can cause insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, headaches and palpitations. 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?

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Phenylephrine overdosage is likely to result in effects similar to those listed under adverse reactions. Additional symptoms may include, irritability, restlessness, hypertension, and possibly reflex bradycardia. In severe cases confusion, hallucinations, seizures and arrhythmias may occur. However the amount required to produce serious phenylephrine toxicity would be greater than that required to cause paracetamol-related liver toxicity. If you're taking a combination cold and flu medicine that contains paracetamol, make sure you're not also dosing yourself with regular paracetamol. Taking too much puts you at risk of liver damage or failure, so it's important to be careful about how much you're having. Phenylephrine can oppose the effects of medicines to treat high blood pressure (antihypertensives). If you are taking medicines for high blood pressure you should not take this medicine. 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.

Alcohol increases the risk of liver damage that can occur if an overdose of paracetamol is taken. The hazards of paracetamol overdose are greater in persistant heavy drinkers and in people with alcoholic liver disease. Women who are pregnant. (Phenylephrine has blood vessel constricting effects that could restrict blood supply to the placenta, or cause problems for women with a history of pre-eclampsia. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on how to treat cold and flu symptoms during pregnancy.) 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.

Are taking colestyramine which is used to lower blood cholesterol, or metoclopramide or domperidone for nausea or vomiting. It's fine to take Beechams flu plus caplets with plain ibuprofen or aspirin (assuming these are appropriate for you). However, don't take them with co-codamol, co-dydramol or Tramacet because these contain paracetamol. This medicinal product contains 131 mg sodium per dose. To be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet. Symptoms of paracetamol overdosage in the first 24 hours are pallor, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and abdominal pain. Liver damage may become apparent 12 to 48 hours after ingestion. Abnormalities of glucose metabolism and metabolic acidosis may occur. In severe poisoning, hepatic failure may progress to encephalopathy, haemorrhage, hypoglycaemia, cerebral oedema, and death. Acute renal failure with acute tubular necrosis, strongly suggested by loin pain, haematuria and proteinuria, may develop even in the absence of severe liver damage. Cardiac arrhythmias and pancreatitis have been reported.

The antidiabetic medicines exenatide, lixisenatide and liraglutide may slow down the absorption of paracetamol into the bloodstream, so it might take longer to work if you're using one of these medicines to treat your diabetes. Ask your pharmacist for more advice. Caffeine can increase the elimination of lithium from the body. If taken concomitantly, it is recommended to reduce or moderate the intake of caffeine. 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. Women who are breastfeeding. (It's not known if phenylephrine passes into breast milk, or its effect on a nursing infant. When taken by mouth, decongestants such as phenylephrine can also temporarily decrease the production of breast milk with just one or two doses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.) 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.Contains paracetamol. Care is advised in the administration of paracetamol to patients with severe renal or severe hepatic impairment. 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. The hazard of overdose is greater in those with non-cirrhotic alcoholic liver disease. Combination products are marketed as comprehensive cold-fighting remedies, but the main benefit is convenience.