Combined cough and cold remedies
Combined cough and cold remedies
A popular way of dealing with the multiple symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection is to combine active ingredients. So, the addition of paracetamol to an antitussive to deal with both the cough and headache makes therapeutic sense. Similarly, the use of a sedating antihistamine for a night-time preparation in combination with an antitussive may well give additional relief.3
ANALGESICS such as paracetamol can be combined with an expectorant or cough suppressant to help relieve headache, raised temperature or pain caused by cold or flu.3
CAUTION: If recommending a combination product containing paracetamol make sure your customer is aware of this, in case they are already taking something similar, or paracetamol on its own.
DECONGESTANTS are often combined with expectorants or cough suppressants. Easing nasal congestion can make breathing easier and help shift mucus.
Pseudoephedrine works by reducing the swelling of blood vessels in the nasal cavities and that helps mucus and air flow more freely, so reducing nasal congestion16
Phenylephrine works in a similar way and can be used as an alternative to pseudoephedrine
NOTE: Oral decongestants could affect blood pressure control in people with hypertension, so should not be sold to people taking medicines for this or for heart disease.16
COMBINATION PRODUCTS FOR COUGHS AND COLDS
For customers on the move or who don’t like using liquid medicines, you could consider recommending a tablet product from the Benylin Cold and Flu range. Click the products to find out more.
Benylin® Mucus Cough & Cold All in One Relief Tablets (GSL) (PARACETAMOL, PHENYLEPHRINE HYDROCHLORIDE, GUAIFENESIN)
Tablets containing 250mg paracetamol, 100mg guaifenesin, 5mg phenylephrine hydrochloride
Symptomatic relief of cold and flu, including aches and pains, headache, blocked nose, sore throat, chills and chesty cough
Maximum strength formula, with all-in-one relief of mucus symptoms
Works deep down to relieve a chesty cough and cold
DOSAGE:
Adults and children over 12 years:
2 tablets every 4 hours as required
Do NOT take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours
Not recommended in children under 12 years
Benylin® 4 Flu Tablets (P) (PARACETAMOL, DIPHENHYDRAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE,
PSEUDOEPHEDRINE HYDROCHLORIDE)
Age: 10 years +
To relieve 4 main symptoms of flu: fever; congestion; body pains; cough
Diphenhydramine (can cause drowsiness) – an antihistamine used to treat sneezing, runny nose and cough
Pseudoephedrine – a decongestant that helps constrict blood vessels in the nasal passages, helping to ease breathing
Paracetamol – an analgesic and antipyretic that helps relieve pain and reduce fever
DOSAGE:
Adults and children aged 16 years and over:
2 tablets up to 4 times a day
Children 10-15 years:
1 tablet, up to 4 times a day
PLANT-DERIVED ALTERNATIVES
Some customers may prefer plant-derived alternatives to relieve their cough symptoms.
A hot drink with honey and lemon is a traditional standby.
LEVOMENTHOL is included in a number of cough mixtures and is thought to modulate the cough reflex.14
PELARGONIUM root extract is a widely used herbal remedy for respiratory infections.5,15
Benylin® Herbal Cough & Cold Sugar Free Syrup (GSL) (PELARGONIUM ROOT DRY EXTRACT)
Used to ease cough and cold symptoms with Pelargonium Root Extract
Used for 4 in 1 cough and cold relief, including relief from cough, sore throat, blocked nose, runny nose
Contains doses for over 8 days, however it should not be used for more than 10 days