Menthol and Eucalyptus Inhalation BP 1980

For relief of the symptoms of coughs, colds and blocked noses

Inhaled via the mouth and nasal passages.

Adults, children over 3 months of age and the elderly:

Add one 5ml spoonful to a pint of hot, but not boiling water.

The dose may be repeated after 4 hours if required.

Not suitable for children under 3 months.

Contra-indicated in patients with hypersensitivity to menthol, eucalyptus or any of the other ingredients

Not suitable for children under 3 months.

For external use only

Keep all medicines away from children.

This medicine contains 1.25mg benzalkonium chloride in each 5ml dose, which is equivalent to 0.025% w/v. Benzalkonium chloride may cause wheezing and breathing difficulties (bronchospasm), especially if you have asthma.

None known

Use of this product in the above conditions is not considered likely to cause any harmful effects.

None known

Menthol may give rise to hypersensitivity reactions including contact dermatitis. There have been reports of apnoea and instant collapse in infants following the local application of menthol to their nostrils.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Symptoms of poisoning with swallowed menthol and eucalyptus inhalation include epigastric burning, severe abdominal pain, central nervous system depression, pulmonary damage, nausea and vomiting, drowsiness, dizziness and muscular weakness, ataxia, miosis, coma and a feeling of suffocation. Cyanosis, delirium and convulsions may occur. Deaths have been recorded from doses as low as 3.5ml of eucalyptus oil (equivalent to 35m1 of the inhalation). The fatal dose of menthol in man has been estimated to be about 2g (equivalent to 100ml of the inhalation).

Treatment should consist of emptying the stomach by gastric lavage and aspiration. Administer a saline laxative by mouth, such as sodium sulphate, 30g in 250ml of water, or a dilute solution of sodium phosphate. Convulsions may be controlled by the use of parenteral anticonvulsant agents. The latter treatment would require hospitalisation.

Eucalyptus oil has been used as an inhalation, often in combination with other volatile substances. It has also been taken by mouth for catarrh and applied externally as a rubefacient.

Menthol is used to relieve symptoms of bronchitis, sinusitis and similar conditions.

No information available.

None

Magnesium carbonate light BP, benzalkonium chloride BP and purified water BP.

None known

36 months unopened.

Store below 25° C.

100ml: Glass bottle with white 28mm Child-Resistant cap with tamper evident band and EPE/Saranex Liner.

None