Benylin four flu

How does it work?

Benylin four flu tablets and liquid contain three active ingredients; paracetamol, diphenhydramine hydrochloride and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride.

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 Benylin four flu helps relieve aches, pains, sore throats and fever associated with colds and flu.

Pseudoephedrine 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 or runny nose.

Diphenhydramine is a type of medicine called a sedating antihistamine. It enters the brain in sufficient quantities to cause drowsiness, and this sedative effect may also help suppress a cough.

Nasal mucus can often be the cause of cough in a cold, because it drips down the back of the throat, causing irritation. Diphenhydramine also drys nasal secretions, by stopping a natural body chemical called histamine from binding to its receptors. Histamine is a chemical produced naturally by the body that has many effects, including the production of allergic symptoms, such as a runny nose. Blocking histamine receptors prevents the actions of histamine, which reduces the production of mucus in the nose.

The combination of active ingredients in this medicine is useful for relieving symptoms such as aches and pains, fever, nasal congestion, a runny nose and tickly coughs associated with colds and flu. The relief from symptoms and the mild sedative effect caused by the medicine can also help restful sleep.

What is it used for?

Relief from the symptoms of colds and flu, such as headache, sore throat, aches and pains, fever, blocked or runny nose and tickly cough.

Warning!

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

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

Liver disease

Kidney disease

Heart disease

High blood pressure

Overactive thyroid gland

Enlarged prostate gland

Diabetes mellitus

Raised pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure), eg glaucoma.

Not to be used in

Children under six years of age

Severe coronary artery disease

Very high blood pressure

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.

The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been fully established. As with all medicines, it should be avoided during pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor, pharmacist or midwife before taking this medicine if you are pregnant.

All the active ingredients in this medicine pass into breast milk. Seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine during 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.

Drowsiness

Dizziness

Blurred vision

Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Dry mouth, nose and throat

Sleep disturbances

Palpitations

Increased heart rate (tachycardia)

Difficulty in 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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