Beechams flu-plus caplets

How does it work?

Beechams flu-plus caplets contain three active ingredients, paracetamol (500mg), phenylephrine (5mg) and caffeine (25mg).

Paracetamol is a simple painkilling medicine used to relieve mild to moderate pain and fever. Despite its widespread use for over 100 years, we still don't fully understand how paracetamol works to relieve pain and reduce fever. However, it is now thought that it works by reducing the production of prostaglandins in the brain and spinal cord.

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.

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 flu-plus caplets helps relieve aches, pains, sore throats and fever associated with colds and flu.

Phenylephrine is a type of medicine called a decongestant. It works by acting on alpha receptors that are found in the walls of blood vessels in the linings of the nasal passages and sinuses. It causes these blood vessels to contract and narrow, thereby decreasing blood flow into the linings of the nose and sinuses. This reduces the feeling of congestion and also reduces the production of mucus, helping to relieve a blocked nose.

Caffeine is a mild stimulant that helps reduce fatigue. Caffeine is also thought to enhance the painkilling effect of paracetamol.

The combination of active ingredients in Beechams flu-plus caplets helps to relieve the symptoms of colds and flu. For adults and children over 12 years of age, two caplets should be taken up to four times a day (maximum of eight caplets in 24 hours). For children aged 6 to 12 years, one caplet should be taken up to four times a day (maximum of four caplets in 24 hours).

What is it used for?

Relieving the symptoms of colds and flu, such as headache, sore throat, aches and pains, fever, fatigue, nasal congestion and sinus pain.

Warning!

Do not take this medicine with any other products that contain paracetamol. Many over-the-counter painkillers and cold and flu remedies contain paracetamol. It is important to check the ingredients of any medicines you buy without a prescription before taking them in combination with this medicine. Seek further advice from your pharmacist.

An overdose of paracetamol is dangerous and capable of causing serious damage to the liver and kidneys. You should never exceed the dose stated in the information leaflet supplied with this medicine. Immediate medical advice should be sought in the event of an overdose with this medicine, even if you feel well, because of the risk of delayed, serious liver damage.

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.

If symptoms persist despite treatment, seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

Use with caution in

Severely decreased kidney function

Severely decreased liver function

Diabetes

History of peptic ulcer.

Not to be used in

Children under six years of age

Severe coronary artery disease

High blood pressure

Overactive thyroid gland

People who have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressant (MAOI) in the last 14 days.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

Although paracetamol is generally considered safe for occasional use during pregnancy, the safety of phenylephrine has not been established. Therefore, as with all medicines, this medicine should not be taken during pregnancy unless your doctor considers the expected benefit is greater than any possible risk to the developing baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant.

Although paracetamol is considered safe for use during breastfeeding, it is not known if phenylephrine passes into breast milk, or its effect on a nursing infant. Caffeine passes into breast milk and can cause irritability and poor sleeping pattern in a nursing baby. As a result, this medicine should not be used by breastfeeding mothers, unless your doctor considers the expected benefit is greater than any possible risk to the nursing baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor before taking this medicine if you are breastfeeding.

Side effects

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. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Increase in blood pressure

Increased heart rate

Nausea

Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)

Restlessness

Anxiety

Tremor

Difficulty passing urine

Skin rashes

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug'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.

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