Boots Cold & Flu Relief Capsules

Read all of this leaflet carefully because it contains important information for you.

This medicine is available without prescription to treat minor conditions. However, you still need to take it carefully to get the best results from it. Keep this leaflet, you may need to read it again. Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.

This medicine contains:

• paracetamol which is a pain reliever (analgesic) and helps reduce your temperature when you have a fever
• phenylephrine which is a decongestant to reduce swelling in the passages of the nose to help you breathe more easily
• caffeine which helps to increase the pain relief from paracetamol and makes you more alert.

These capsules are used for the relief of the symptoms of colds and flu, including headache, feverishness (high temperature), nasal and sinus congestion and its associated pressure and pain, catarrh, aches and pains.

Do not take this medicine if you:

• are allergic to paracetamol, phenylephrine, caffeine or any of the other ingredients
• are under 12 years of age
• have a serious heart condition or cardiovascular disorder(s)
• have high blood pressure (hypertension)
• have an overactive thyroid
• are pregnant
• are taking antidepressant drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI’s), or have taken them in the last 14 days – these are medicines such as phenelzine and isocarboxazid
• are taking tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine, amitriptyline.

Please see your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you:

• are breastfeeding
• suffer from kidney or liver problems, including alcoholic liver disease or have alcohol dependence
• have a blood vessel disease such as Raynaud’s phenomenon
• have an enlarged prostate or other prostate problems
• Have heart or circulation disease.

If you are taking any of the following medicines please see your doctor:

• medicines to treat high cholesterol levels which reduce the amount of fat in the blood such as colestyramine
• medicines to control feeling sick or being sick such as metoclopramide or domperidone
• medicines called anti-coagulants, which are used to thin the blood such as warfarin or other coumarins - you may take occasional doses of paracetamol but should consult your doctor if you need to take it on a regular basis
• medicines to lower blood pressure, treat heart or circulatory problems such as beta blockers (for example atenolol), methyldopa, or ganglion blocking agents (for example trimetaphan camsylate).

Contains paracetamol.

Do not take anything else containing paracetamol while taking this medicine.

Stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor immediately if you experience:

• Allergic reactions which may be severe such as skin rash and itching sometimes with swelling of the mouth or face or shortness of breath.
• Skin rash or peeling, or mouth ulcers.
• Breathing problems. These are more likely if you have experienced them before when taking other painkillers such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
• Unexplained bruising or bleeding.
• Reoccurring fevers or infections.
• Nausea, sudden weight loss, loss of appetite and yellowing of the eyes and skin.
• Visual disturbances. This is rare but is more likely in those with glaucoma.
• Unusually fast pulse rate or a sensation of an unusually fast or irregular heartbeat.
• Difficulty passing water. This is more likely to occur in men with an enlarged prostate gland.

These reactions are rare.

The following side effects may occur.

Tell your doctor if you get them.

• Raised blood pressure, headache, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, nervousness, anxiety, diarrhoea or sickness.

Very rare cases of serious skin reactions have been reported.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse, This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.