Boots Max Strength Cold & Flu Relief Capsules

This medicine is available without prescription, however, you still need to use this product carefully to get the best results from it.

• Keep this leaflet as you may need to read it again
• Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet
• You must talk to a doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after 3 days.

1. What is Boots Max Strength Cold & Flu Relief Capsules and what is it used for
2. What you need to know before you take Boots Max Strength Cold & Flu Relief Capsules
3. How to take Boots Max Strength Cold &Flu Relief Capsules
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Boots Max Strength Cold & Flu Relief Capsules
6. Contents of the pack and other information

• are allergic to paracetamol, caffeine, phenylephrine or any of the other ingredients listed in section 6
• are under 16 years of age
• have a serious heart condition or cardiovascular disorder(s)
• have high blood pressure (hypertension)
• have a history of stomach ulcers
• have an overactive thyroid
• have an enlarged prostate
• are taking antidepressant drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI’s), or have taken them within the last 14 days – these are medicines such as phenelzine and isocarboxazid
• are taking tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine, amitriptyline.

• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• suffer from kidney or liver problems, including alcoholic liver disease or have alcohol dependence
• have diabetes
• have circulatory disorders such as a condition called Raynaud’s Phenomenon, which results from poor circulation in the fingers and toes.

During treatment with Boots Max Strength Cold & Flu Relief Capsules, tell your doctor straight away if:

• you have severe illnesses, including severe renal impairment or sepsis (when bacteria and their toxins circulate in the blood leading to organ damage), or you suffer from malnutrition, chronic alcoholism or if you are also taking flucloxacillin (an antibiotic). A serious condition called metabolic acidosis (a blood and fluid abnormality) has been reported in patients in these situations when paracetamol is used at regular doses for a prolonged period or when paracetamol is taken together with flucloxacillin. Symptoms of metabolic acidosis may include: serious breathing difficulties with deep rapid breathing, drowsiness, feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting).

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines

• 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
• barbiturates (for epilepsy or to help you sleep), such as phenobarbitone
• medicines to treat migraines such as ergotamine or methysergide
• medicines to lower blood pressure, treat heart or circulatory problems such as beta blockers (for example atenolol) or vasodilators (for example hydralazine)
• other decongestant drugs such as ephedrine or xylometazoline
• flucloxacillin (antibiotic), due to a serious risk of blood and fluid abnormality (called metabolic acidosis) that must have urgent treatment (see section 2).

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

Do not drink alcohol (beer, wine, spirits etc) while taking this product.

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per 2 capsules, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.

Two capsules every 4 to 6 hours, as required.

Do not take more than 8 capsules (4 doses) in any 24 hour period.

Do not give to children under 16 years.

Do not take for more than 3 days unless advised by your doctor.

Do not take more medicine than the label tells you to. If you do not get better, talk to your doctor.

You should avoid too much caffeine in drinks like coffee and tea. If you are also consuming other medicines or food that contains caffeine (coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolate) you may have a high caffeine intake and might have difficulty sleeping, start shaking and/or have an uncomfortable feeling in the chest.

Talk to a doctor at once if you take too much of this medicine even if you feel well. This is because too much paracetamol can cause delayed, serious liver damage. Go to your nearest hospital casualty department. Take your medicine and this leaflet with you.

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 or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

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