Vicks Medinite

How does it work?

This medicine contains four active ingredients, dextromethorphan, doxylamine, pseudoephedrine and paracetamol. Dextromethorphan belongs to a group of medicines called the opioids. It is used to suppress dry or painful cough. Coughing is a reflex response to irritation of the airways. It is useful for clearing mucus, dust and other particles from the throat and lungs. It is important because it reduces the amount of mucus, dust and bacteria in the airways that would otherwise make breathing difficult. Sometimes, coughing can become overstimulated even when there is no mucus to clear from the lungs or throat. In this situation coughing serves no purpose and can become painful and frustrating. Dextromethorphan is used to block the cough reflex in situations where the cough serves no purpose. It does so by calming the part of the brain that governs the coughing reflex. Doxylamine belongs to a group of medicines called sedating antihistamines. It works by preventing the actions of histamine. Histamine is a chemical produced by the body in response to allergic or inflammatory stimuli. It binds to histamine (H1) receptors in many areas of the body, causing widening of the blood vessels and the release of other chemicals that add to the allergic or inflammatory response. In nasal allergies and colds this results in reddening and swelling of the tissues and increased mucus production from the lining of the nose. There is also irritation that causes sneezing and often redness and watering of the eyes. Doxylamine blocks histamine receptors, thus preventing the action of histamine and relieving the symptoms, such as nasal congestion, that it causes. Diphenhydramine passes from the blood into the brain, producing general sedation and suppression of other brain functions, including the vomiting and coughing mechanisms. Pseudoephedrine belongs to a group of medicines known as sympathomimetics. It is a decongestant and works by stimulating alpha adrenergic receptors. In the lining of the nose and sinuses, pseudoephedrine acts on alpha receptors in the muscles of the blood vessel walls, causing them to contract. This results in a narrowing of the blood vessels and therefore decreased blood flow to the lining of the nose and sinuses. By decreasing blood flow, the amount of mucus production in the lining of the nose and sinuses is reduced, relieving nasal congestion. Paracetamol is a medicine used in the treatment of mild to moderate pain. It is also useful for reducing fever. It is not fully understood how paracetamol produces these effects. Paracetamol is useful in reducing pain and fever associated with symptoms of colds and flu. The combination of these medicines is used to relieve colds and flu symptoms such as aches and pains, fever, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat and cough.

What is it used for?

Relief from the symptoms of colds and flu

Warning!

This medicine may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Alcohol should be avoided.

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

Not to be used in

Children under the age of ten years, except on medical advice

Diabetes

Disease involving the heart and blood vessels

People who have taken monoamine-oxidase inhibitor antidepressants (MAOIs) in the last 14 days

Severely decreased kidney function

Severely decreased liver function

Thyroid disease

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.

There is no information available about the safety of this medicine during pregnancy, therefore it is not recommended for use during pregnancy, unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine may pass into breast milk in small amounts. It should only be used during breastfeeding if the benefit to the mother outweighs any potential risk to the nursing infant. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

Do not take this medication with any other products containing paracetamol.

Refer to the printed instructions for maximum daily intake.

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.

Drowsiness

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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