Boots Max Strength Echinacea Cold and Flu Relief Tablets

Information for the user

Boots Max Strength Echinacea Cold and Flu Relief Tablets

Echinacea purpurea root extract

1. What the product is and what it is used for

This product contains:

• Echinacea purpurea root extract

These tablets are a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms of the common cold and influenza type infections based on traditional use only.

2. Before you take this product

This product is not suitable for children under 12 years of age.

Do not take this product if you are allergic to:

• Echinacea or products from the same plant family: (Asteraceae/Compositae) such as daisies, marigolds or artichokes
• any if the other ingredients of this product. (See section 6 further information).

Or if you suffer from:

• frequent allergic reactions such as hives (urticaria), eczema, asthma
• the infection; tuberculosis
• connective tissue disease with formation of clumps of cells (sarcoidosis) mainly occurring in the lymph nodes, lungs and liver
• auto-immune diseases such as inflammation of the connective tissue (collagenosis) or multiple sclerosis
• conditions which decrease your natural response to infection (eg HIV infection or AIDS)
• are on therapy to reduce your natural response to infection (immunosuppression eg: chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer; history of organ or bone marrow transplant)
• blood disorders involving the white blood cell system such as low white cell count due to bone marrow disorders (agranulocytosis) or blood cell cancer (leukemias)

or if you are already taking immunosuppressant medication such as ciclosporin or methotrexate.

3. How to take this product

Start at the first signs of a common cold.

Swallow the tablet whole with water.

Do not chew.

Adults, elderly and children over 12 years:

Take 1 tablet, three times a day, if required.

Do not give to children under 12 years.

Do not take more than the label/leaflet tells you to.

Do not take this product for more than 10 days.

If the condition worsens or high fever occurs whilst taking the product or if symptoms persist for more than 10 days, see a doctor or a pharmacist.

If you take too many tablets by mistake, contact your doctor or pharmacist straight away.

If you miss a dose, take the next dose when it is due. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this product can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

The frequency of the side effects is not known.

The possible side effects include:

• allergic reactions such as swelling, hives, or rashes
• swelling of the skin due to fluid
• swelling of the facial area (Quinke’s oedema)
• shrinking of the airway of the lungs with obstruction (bronchospasm)
• asthma and life threatening reactions (anaphylactic shock).

Echinacea can trigger allergic reactions in patients who have a tendency to allergic reactions. Stop taking the product immediately if you experience any allergic reaction.

Association with auto-immune diseases has been reported such as:

• inflammation of the brain and spinal chord (disseminated encephalitis)
• painful lumps on the shins (erythema nodosum)
• low blood platelet count (immunothrombocytopenia)
• destruction of blood cells by antibodies (Evans Syndrome)
• dryness in the mouth and eye with kidney tubular dysfunction (Sjogren Syndrome).

A decrease in the number of white blood cells (leucopenia) may occur in long term use (more than 8 weeks).

If you are concerned about any side effect, if a side effect becomes serious, or if you notice a side effect not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor, or healthcare practitioner.

5. How to store this product

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use these tablets after the expiry date printed on the pack.

Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original container.

6. Further information

Each film coated tablet contains the active ingredient: 143.0 mg of extract (dry extract) from Echinacea purpurea root (6-7:1) (equivalent to 858 mg – 1000 mg of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, root. Extraction Solvent: Ethanol 30% v/v

Also contains maltodextrin, calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, purified talc, titanium dixide (E171), yellow iron oxide (E172).

This product is available in pack sizes of 30, 60, 120 and 180 tablets. Not all pack sizes are marketed.

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Telephone: +44 (0)1283 228300

Email: [email protected]

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