Paramed Cold And Flu Relief With Decongestant Sachet
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Paramed Cold and Flu Relief with Decongestant Sachets
Asda Cold and Flu Relief with Decongestant Sachets
Morrisons Cold and Flu Relief with Decongestant Powder for oral solution
Sainsbury’s Healthcare Cold and Flu Relief with Decongestant Powder for Oral Solution
2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Each sachet contains:
Paracetamol 650 mg Phenylephrine hydrochloride 10 mg
For excipients, see 6.1.
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Powder for oral solution.
Yellow powder
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
For relief of symptoms of colds and influenza, including the relief of headaches, aches and pains, sore throat, nasal congestion and lowering of temperature.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Adults and elderly:
For oral administration after dissolution in water. The contents of one sachet should be dissolved in at least 250 ml (8 fluid oz) of hot water at a minimum temperature of 60°C. The solution should be allowed to cool to a safe temperature to drink. May be repeated after 4 - 6 hours. Maximum of 4 sachets in 24 hours.
The elderly may take the normal adult dose.
Children:
Not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
4.3 Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients. Severe coronary heart disease. Hypertension.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Care is advised in the administration of paracetamol to patients with severe renal or severe hepatic impairment. The hazard of overdose is greater in those with non-cirrhotic alcoholic liver disease.
Use with caution in patients with Raynaud’s Phenomenon or diabetes.
Each 4 g sachet contains 3.4 mmol (78 mg) Sodium. To be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.
Contains aspartame (E951) a source of phenylalanine equivalent to 11 mg/dosage unit. May be harmful for people with phenylketonuria. Sucrose (sugar) content about 2 mg per sachet.
Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrose-isomaltase insufficiency should not take this medicine.
(Label) Immediate medical advice should be sought in the event of an overdose, even if you feel well.
(Leaflet) Immediate medical advice should be sought in the event of an overdose, even if you feel well, because of the risk of delayed, serious liver damage.
Do not exceed the stated dose. Do not take with other paracetamol containing products. If symptoms persist consult your doctor. Keep out of the sight and reach of children. If you are pregnant or are being prescribed medicine by your doctor, seek his advice before taking this product.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
The speed of absorption of paracetamol may be increased by metoclopramide or domperidone and absorption reduced by cholestyramine.
The anticoagulant effect of warfarin and other coumarins may be enhanced by prolonged regular daily use of paracetamol with increased risk of bleeding; occasional doses have no significant effect.
These interactions are considered to be of unlikely clinical significance in acute use at the dosage regimen proposed.
Phenylephrine may adversely interact with other sympathomimetics, vasodilators, and
P- blockers. Drugs which induce hepatic microsomal enzymes, such as alcohol, barbiturates, monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants, may increase the hepatotoxicity of paracetamol, particularly after overdosage. Not recommended for patients currently receiving or within two weeks of stopping therapy with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation
Epidemiological studies in human pregnancy have shown no ill effects due to paracetamol used in the recommended dosage, but patients should follow the advice of their doctor regarding its use.
Paracetamol is excreted in breast milk but not in a clinically significant amount. Available published data do not contraindicate breast feeding.
Phenylephrine hydrochloride: Due to the vasoconstrictive properties of phenylephrine the product should be used in caution in patients with history of pre-eclampsia. Phenylephrine may reduce placental perfusion and the product should be used in pregnancy only if the benefits outweigh this risk. There is no information on use in lactation.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
None known.
4.8. Undesirable Effects
Adverse effects of paracetamol are rare (<1/1000) but hypersensitivity including skin rashes and other allergies may occur. There have been a few reports of blood dyscrasias including thrombocytopenia and agranulocytosis but these were not necessarily causally related to paracetamol.
Adverse effects of phenylephrine hydrochloride include raised blood pressure, tachycardia and occasionally bradycardia, insomnia, restlessness, tremor and anxiety have occasionally occurred, as have urinary retention and hallucinations.
Very rare cases of serious skin reactions have been reported.
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.
4.9 Overdose
Paracetamol
Liver damage is possible in adults who have taken 10g or more of paracetamol. Ingestion of 5g or more of paracetamol may lead to liver damage if the patient has risk factors (see below).
Risk factors
If the patient:
a, Is on long term treatment with carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rifampicin, St John’s Wort or other drugs that induce liver enzymes.
Or
b, Regularly consumes ethanol in excess of recommended amounts.
Or
c, Is likely to be glutathione deplete e.g. eating disorders, cystic fibrosis, HIV infection, starvation, cachexia.
Symptoms
Symptoms of paracetamol overdosage in the first 24 hours are pallor, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and abdominal pain. Liver damage may become apparent 12 to 48 hours after ingestion. Abnormalities of glucose metabolism and metabolic acidosis may occur. In severe poisoning, hepatic failure may progress to encephalopathy, haemorrhage, hypoglycaemia, cerebral oedema, and death. Acute renal failure with acute tubular necrosis, strongly suggested by loin pain, haematuria and proteinuria, may develop even in the absence of severe liver damage. Cardiac arrhythmias and pancreatitis have been reported.
Management
Immediate treatment is essential in the management of paracetamol overdose. Despite a lack of significant early symptoms, patients should be referred to hospital urgently for immediate medical attention. Symptoms may be limited to nausea or vomiting and may not reflect the severity of overdose or the risk of organ damage. Management should be in accordance with established treatment guidelines, see BNF overdose section.
Treatment with activated charcoal should be considered if the overdose has been taken within 1 hour. Plasma paracetamol concentration should be measured at 4 hours or later after ingestion (earlier concentrations are unreliable). Treatment with N-acetylcysteine may be used up to 24 hours after ingestion of paracetamol, however, the maximum protective effect is obtained up to 8 hours post-ingestion. The effectiveness of the antidote declines sharply after this time. If required the patient should be given intravenous N-acetylcysteine, in line with the established dosage schedule. If vomiting is not a problem, oral methionine may be a suitable alternative for remote areas, outside hospital. Management of patients who present with serious hepatic dysfunction beyond 24h from ingestion should be discussed with the NPIS or a liver unit.
Phenylephrine hydrochloride:
Symptoms
Symptoms of over dosage include pallor, irritability, restlessness, palpitations,
hypertension, excitement, difficulty in micturition, rapid speech, dilated pupils, nausea, vomiting, thirst, hallucinations, convulsions. Muscle tone and the limb reflexes are increased. With more severe poisoning ectopic beats and supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias may develop. Hypokalaemia, due to shift of potassium from plasma into cells, may rarely be severe. Hyperglycaemia has been reported occasionally.
Management
Consider activated charcoal only if the patient presents within 1 hour of ingestion of a potentially toxic amount. Alternatively consider gastric lavage in adults within 1 hour of a potentially life-threatening overdose.
Asymptomatic patients should be observed for 4 hours or 8 hours if a slow release product has been taken. Correct hypokalaemia cautiously. If agitated, sedate with oral diazepam. Alternatively, give oral or parenteral haloperidol for adults. Tachycardia with adequate cardiac output is best left untreated. Beta-blockers, such as metoprolol or esmolol should be used in extreme cases (care in asthmatics).
Ventricular arrhythmias occurring in a patient who is having convulsions are best treated with IV amiodarone. Control convulsions with intravenous diazepam or lorazepam. Phenytoin may be useful if fits are unresponsive to these measures.
If the systolic BP > 220 and diastolic > 140 mm Hg in the absence of long-standing hypertension give diazepam. Persistent hypertension may respond to a beta-blocker.
5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Paracetamol: Paracetamol has both analgesic and antipyretic activity which is believed to be mediated principally through its inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis within the central nervous system.
Phenylephrine hydrochloride: Phenylephrine is a post-synaptic alpha-receptor agonist with low cardioselective P-receptor affinity and minimal central stimulant activity. It is a recognised decongestant and acts by vasoconstriction to reduce oedema and nasal swelling.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
Paracetamol is absorbed rapidly and completely mainly from the small intestine, producing peak plasma levels after 15- 20 minutes following oral dosing. The systemic availability is subject to first-pass metabolism and varies with dose between 70% and 90%. The drug is rapidly and widely distributed throughout the body and is eliminated from plasma with a halflife of approximately 2 hours. The major metabolites are glucuronide and sulphate conjugates (> 80%) which are excreted in the urine.
Phenylephrine hydrochloride is readily and rapidly absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract. Presystemic metabolism is high at about 60%, resulting in systemic bioavailability of about 40%. Peak plasma levels occur between 1 and 2 hours and the plasma half-life ranges from
2 - 3 hours. When taken by mouth as a nasal decongestant phenylephrine is usually given at intervals of 4 - 6 hours.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
No preclinical findings of relevance have been reported
6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Sucrose
Sodium citrate (E331)
Citric acid (E330)
Acesulfame Potassium (E950)
Ascorbic Acid Aspartame (E951),
Quinoline yellow (E104)
Lemon flavours
6.2 Incompatibilities
None known.
6.3 Shelf life
Three years.
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Do not store above 25 oC.
6.5 Nature and contents of container
This product is packed in laminate sachets comprising paper/polyethylene/aluminium foil/ polyethylene or paper/polyethylene/aluminium foil/Surlyn.
Five or ten sachets are contained in a boxboard carton.
6.6 Special precautions for disposal
Not applicable.
7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Wrafton Laboratories Limited,
Wrafton,
Braunton,
North Devon EX33 2DL.
United Kingdom
8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
PL 12063/0036.
9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE
AUTHORISATION
24th May 2005
10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
02/11/2015