What the medicine is for
Benylin Cold & Flu Max Strength Capsules relieve the symptoms of colds and flu, including headache, fever, nasal congestion, sore throat, fatigue and drowsiness, aches and pains. The capsules contain paracetamol, an analgesic and antipyretic to relieve pain and fever; caffeine, a stimulant to help combat the tiredness associated with a cold and to help increase the pain relief; and phenylephrine, a decongestant to relieve nasal congestion.
Before taking this medicine
This medicine is suitable for most people but a few people should not use it. If you are in any doubt, talk to your doctor or pharmacist
Do not use this medicine:
- If you are taking any other medicines containing paracetamol.
- If you have ever had a bad reaction to any of the ingredients.
- If you have high blood pressure, severe heart disease, circulatory problems, or an overact’rve thyroid gland.
- If you have a history of stomach ulcers.
- If you are taking, or have taken in the last two weeks, drugs for depression known as Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs).
- If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, unless advised by your doctor.
- In children under 12 years old.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
- If you suffer from liver or kidney problems.
- If you suffer from alcoholic liver disease or alcohol dependence.
- If you have diabetes.
- If you have a condition called Raynaud’s Phenomenon (which results from poor circulation in the fingers and toes).
- If you are taking alcohol.
- If you are taking other medicines including:
- cofestyramine (used to lower blood cholesterol).
- metodoprarrade or domperidorte (used to treat nausea and vomiting).
- tricyck antioepressanfs (used to treat depression).
- barbiturates (a kind of sleeping tablet).
- sympathomimetic drugs (used to treat congestion and asthma), antihypertensfves (drugs used to treat high blood pressure such as beta blockers).
- anticoagulants (drugs used to thin the blood such as warfarin or coumarins).
If you are not sure about any of the medicines you are taking, show the pack to your pharmacist. If any of these bullet points apply, talk to a doctor or pharmacist.
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding
Do not take this product if you are pregnant Ask your donor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
How to take this medicine
Check the table below to see how many capsules to take.
For oral use only.
Swallow whole with water. Do not chew.
Do not take more than the stated dose shown below.
Children under 12 years
Do not give to children under 12 years old.
Adults and children aged 12 years and over
Age Dose
Adults and children Take two capsules up to aged 12 years and over four times a day if necessary.
Leave at least four hours between doses.
Do not take more than eight capsules a day.
If symptoms persist talk to your doctor or pharmacist
If anyone has too much
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.
If you forget to take the medicine
If you forget to take a dose, take the next dose when needed provided that the last dose was taken at least 4 hours ago. Do not take a double dose.
Possible side-effects
Benylin Cold & Flu Max Strength Capsules can have side-effects, like all medicines, although these don’t affect everyone and are usually mild and temporary. If you experience any of the following, stop using the medicine and tell your doctor:
- Allergic reactions such as skin rash.
- Raised blood pressure with headache, vomiting and palpitations.
- Increase or decrease in heart rate.
There have been rare reports of blood disorders although these were not necessarily related to paracetamol.
Other effects which may occur include:
- Nausea.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Tingling and coolness of the skin.
If you experience any side-effects not included in this leaflet or are not sure about anything, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Storing this medicine
Do not store this product above 25°C. Keep the product out of the reach and sight of children. Do not use your medicine after the date shown as an expiry date on the packaging.
Further information
What’s in this medicine?
The active ingredients in Benylin Cold & Flu Max Strength Capsules are: Paracetamol 500 mg, caffeine 25 mg, and phenylephrine hydrochloride 6.1 mg. Other ingredients are: Maize starch, croscarmellose sodium, sodium laurilsulfate, magnesium stearate.talc, gelatin, quinoline yellow (E104), titanium dioxide (E171), Patent BlueV (E131) and erythrosine (E127).
What the medicine looks like
Benylin Cold & Flu Max Strength Capsules are red/yellow capsules available in a 16 capsule pack.