Key Summary
- Popular cold and flu remedies aren’t suitable for all patients
- Risks rise for people with existing conditions or on certain medicines
- A quick check with a pharmacist or GP can prevent harm
The NHS has recommended that before taking over-the-counter cold and flu medications, people should consult a healthcare professional, to avoid adverse effects.
As per a SurreyLive report, the alert mentions popular decongestants such as Lemsip, Benylin, and Beechams.
Lemsip's hot beverages, Beecham's capsules, and Benylin's cough syrups are commonly used to ease fever, pain, congestion, and coughs.
However, they might not be the appropriate drug for every patient.
They contain paracetamol to reduce aches, phenylephrine to improve breathing, and caffeine for energy.
These medicines could be problematic for patients with existing health conditions or other medications they already take.
So, consulting a health professional can prevent unnecessary reactions.
Decongestants are the types of medicines with very less side effects.
However, the wrong application could lead to drowsiness, nasal lining irritation, headaches, nausea or vomiting, dry mouth, restlessness or agitation, and skin rash.
Sometimes they can even lead to conditions like hallucinations and serious allergic reactions like anaphylaxis.
Patients suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure and those taking beta-blockers, or those taking anti-depressants for mental health issues should avoid these medicines.
Overactive thyroid gland or hyperthyroidism, enlarged prostate, liver, kidney, heart or circulation diseases, pressure in the eye or glaucoma, are some other health conditions that makes these decongestants unsuitable for the patients.
Apart from these, people who take paracetamol, who are allergic to their ingredients, pregnant or breastfeeding women are the ones who should stay away from them.
