Beechams Flu Plus Sachets are available in the following flavours -

• Beechams Flu Plus Hot Berry Fruit Sachets
• Beechams Flu Plus Hot Lemon Sachets

Beechams Flu-Plus Sachets is a Non-Drowsy product for the short term relief of the symptoms of influenza (flu), colds, and chills.

These symptoms include headache, feverishness, aches and pains, congested or blocked nose, painful sinuses and sore throat pain.

Beechams Flu-Plus Sachets contains:

• Paracetamol an analgesic (pain killer) and antipyretic (it reduces body temperature when you have a fever). It is provided at the maximum dose.
• Phenylephrine hydrochloride is a sympathomimetic decongestant which unblocks your nose and sinuses helping you breathe more easily.
• Ascorbic acid is a common ingredient of flu and cold products. It is included to help replace the vitamin C which may be lost in the initial stages of flu and colds.

How to take Beechams Flu-Plus Sachets:

• Empty contents of one sachet into a mug
• Half fill with very hot water, stir well, add cold water as necessary and sugar if desired.

Adults (including the elderly) and children aged 12 years and over:

• The contents of one sachet to be taken every four to six hours as necessary
• Do not take more than four sachets in any 24 hours

• Do not take for more than 7 days, except on medical advice

• Do not give to children under 12 years of age unless your doctor tells you to

• If symptoms persist consult your doctor

Overdose: It will be harmful to take more than the doses stated on the pack and in this leaflet. Immediate medical advice should he sought in the event of an overdose, even if you feel well, because of the risk of delayed, serious liver damage.

Warning:

• Beechams Flu-Plus Sachets contains paracetamol. Do not take with any other paracetamol - containing products.
• Beechams Flu-Plus Sachets contains a decongestant, do not take with other products for the relief of flu, colds or congestion.

Each Beechams Flu-Plus Sachets contains: Paracetamol Ph Eur 1000 mg, ascorbic acid Ph Eur 40 mg and phenylephrine hydrochloride Ph Eur 10 mg as the active ingredients.

Beechams Flu Plus Hot Berry also contains: Sucrose, tartaric acid, sodium citrate anhydrous, aspartame, berry fruit flavour (containing menthol) and colours (carmoisine (E122), sunset yellow (E110), green S (E142) with sodium chloride and sodium sulphate).

Beechams Flu Plus Hot Lemon also contains: sucrose, citric acid, sodium citrate, maize starch, sodium cyclamate, saccharin sodium, colloidal silica, lemon flavour and natural curcumin (E100).

• you are allergic to paracetamol, ascorbic acid, phenylephrine hydrochloride or any of the ingredients listed above.
• you have kidney or liver problems, overactive thyroid, diabetes or are under the care of your doctor for high blood pressure or heart disease.
• you suffer from inherited sugar absorption problem. Each sachet contains 4g of sucrose (sugar).
• you are taking tricyclic antidepressants (eg. imipramine or amitriptyline) or drugs for heart problems (including beta-blockers) or you are taking (or have taken within the last two weeks) drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) prescribed by your doctor or hospital for depression.

• you are taking medicines to thin your blood e.g. warfarin
• you are taking cholestyramine which is used to lower blood cholesterol, or metoclopramide or domperidone for nausea or vomiting
• you are on a low sodium diet. Each sachet contains 0.12g of sodium.

If you are pregnant or breast feeding: As with all medicines you should ask your doctor before using Beechams Flu-Plus Sachets if you are pregnant. You should only use this product at this time if your doctor thinks it appropriate and necessary.

If you are breast feeding it is best to ask your doctor before taking Beechams Flu-Plus Sachets. Usually the product can be taken at this time.

Side-effects: The ingredients in Beechams Flu-Plus Sachets are usually well tolerated in normal use. However skin rashes and other allergic effects occur occasionally with paracetamol. There have been rare reports of blood disorders, but these were not necessarily caused by paracetamol. There have been a few reports of headache, dizziness, insomnia, sickness and diarrhoea or rarely palpitations occurring with phenylephrine. These effects should go away if you stop taking the medicine.

If you are concerned about any other effects while taking Beechams Flu-Plus Sachets, stop taking the medicine and tell your doctor or pharmacist.