How does it work?

This medicine contains three active ingredients, paracetamol, caffeine and phenylephrine hydrochloride. 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. Caffeine is a weak stimulant. It is thought that the addition of caffeine may enhance the analgesic effects of paracetamol. Phenylephrine is a type of medicine known as a sympathomimetic. It acts by stimulating alpha adrenergic receptors. In the lining of the nose and sinuses, phenylephrine 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, fluid congestion in the nose and sinuses is reduced. This combination is used to relieve the symptoms of colds and influenza. These include fever, muscular aches and pains, sore throat, headache, nasal/sinus congestion and runny noses.

What is it used for?

Fever (pyrexia)

Mild to moderate pain

Nasal congestion

Warning!

In cases of overdose, seek immediate advice from a doctor.

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.

Some brands or preparations of medicine containing this active ingredient are not recommended for use in children under certain ages. Consult the package literature provided with the medicine for further information.

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

Do not take more than 2 at any one time or more than 8 in 24 hours.

Use with caution in

A weakening in the wall of an artery that causes it to bulge outwards (aneurysm)

Diabetes

History of peptic ulcers

Hyperthyroidism

Narrowing of the blood vessels in the hands, causing numb and painful fingers (Raynaud's disease)

Non-cirrhotic alcoholic liver disease

Severely decreased kidney function

Severely decreased liver function

Thickening of arterial walls

Not to be used in

High blood pressure

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

Severe coronary artery 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.

The safety of this medicine during pregnancy has not been established. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Small amounts of this medicine may pass into breast milk, however there are no known harmful effects when it is used by breastfeeding mothers.

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.

Headache

Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)

Nausea

Blood disorders

Awareness of your heartbeat (palpitations)

Irritability

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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