Important Warnings and Precautions for Lemsip Max Cold & Flu Capsules Pack of 8
Do not take Lemsip Max Cold & Flu Capsules Pack of 8 if:
- You are allergic to paracetamol, caffeine, phenylephrine hydrochloride, or any of the other ingredients listed in section 6.
- You have a serious heart condition.
- You have high blood pressure (hypertension) or an overactive thyroid.
- You are taking or have taken within the last 14 days a medicine called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), usually used to treat depression.
- You are taking other sympathomimetic decongestants.
- You have an enlarged prostate.
- You have phaeochromocytoma.
- You have diabetes mellitus.
- You have closed-angle glaucoma.
- You are taking other paracetamol-containing products.
- You are taking other cough and cold medicines; concomitant use could lead to overdose and should be avoided.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if:
- You have Raynaud's syndrome (poor blood circulation affecting fingers or toes).
- You have a problem with your liver or kidneys, or a history of stomach ulcer.
- You have non-cirrhotic liver disease.
- You have severe illnesses, including severe renal impairment or sepsis (when bacteria and their toxins circulate in the blood leading to organ damage).
- You suffer from malnutrition, chronic alcoholism.
- You are also taking flucloxacillin (an antibiotic), due to a serious risk of blood and fluid abnormality (metabolic acidosis).
During treatment, tell your doctor straight away if:
- You experience symptoms of metabolic acidosis (serious breathing difficulties with deep rapid breathing, drowsiness, feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting)).
Other medicines:
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:
- Beta-blockers for high blood pressure, other antihypertensives or vasodilators (e.g., for high blood pressure, leg pain or Raynaud's syndrome).
- Tricyclic antidepressants, other decongestants, or barbiturates (for sleep problems or epilepsy).
- Medicines for blood cholesterol (cholestyramine) and nausea/vomiting (metoclopramide and domperidone).
- Blood thinning drugs (warfarin and other coumarins) – paracetamol may increase their effect.
- Cimetidine (to reduce stomach acid), disulfiram (to treat alcoholism) or oral contraceptives – these can slow caffeine disposal.
- Medicines for epilepsy (phenytoin and carbamazepine) or sleeping problems (barbiturates like pentobarbital, phenobarbital) – may increase liver side effects.
- Isoniazid (for tuberculosis) – may increase paracetamol side effects.
- Oxytocin (for childbirth contractions) and ergot alkaloids (for migraine like ergotamine, methylsergide) – may increase risk of brain stroke.
Pregnancy and Breast-feeding:
If you are pregnant, breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning a baby, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine. This product should not be used in women with a history of pre-eclampsia.
Driving and using machines:
This medicine can cause difficulty sleeping, restlessness, nervousness, or mental confusion. Do not drive or operate machines if you experience these symptoms.
Important overdose information:
If you take more capsules than you should, talk to a doctor at once, even if you feel well. Too much paracetamol can cause delayed, serious liver damage. Symptoms of overdose may include dizziness, palpitations, stomach pain, high blood pressure with headache, pale appearance, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite.
Possible Side Effects:
Like all medicines, Lemsip Max Cold & Flu Capsules Pack of 8 can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them. Very rare (fewer than 1 in 10,000 patients treated):
- Serious skin reactions.
- Allergic reactions (e.g., skin rashes).
- Blood disorders (e.g., thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, agranulocytosis, leucopenia or neutropenia).
- A serious condition causing blood to become more acidic (metabolic acidosis), especially in severely ill patients using paracetamol.
- Headaches, dizziness, high blood pressure or palpitations.
- Stomach and gut disorders (e.g., nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, or gastric ulcer).
- Difficulty sleeping, restlessness, anxiety, agitation, nervousness, or mental confusion.
- Caffeine, if taken close to bedtime, may interfere with sleep.
- Difficulty passing urine (especially in men).
If you experience any side effects, including those not listed, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. You can also report side effects via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
