Beechams Powders for Cold and Flu – 20 Sachets

Side effects:

Like all medicines, Beechams Powders can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If you experience any of these effects then STOP taking this medicine immediately and contact your doctor or pharmacist:

• Stomach ulceration or perforation: Symptoms could include severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and indigestion.
People with sensitive stomachs may suffer stomach irritation and may experience bleeding (you may pass blood in your stools, or vomit blood or dark particles that look like coffee grounds).
• Severe allergic reactions: Symptoms could include difficulty breathing, skin rash or swollen facial features, or tightening of the chest or asthma attacks in those sensitive to aspirin.
• Occasionally the blood does not clot well, which may result in bruising or bleeding, or yellowing of the skin and eyes may occur. Other side effects may include lethargy, weakness, shortness of breath, and eneralised swelling or water retention, ringing in your ears or temporary hearing loss.
• High caffeine intake can result in difficulty sleeping, shaking, dizziness, nervousness and an uncomfortable feeling in the chest caused by palpitations.

Warnings and precautions:

Do not take :

• if you are allergic to aspirin or salicylates, caffeine, any other medicines known as NSAIDs or to any other ingredient (listed in Section 6).
• if you have had an allergic reaction after taking ibuprofen or aspirin.
• if you are allergic to peanut or soya. Beechams Powders contain soya protein.
• if you have had asthma or shortness of breath in response to aspirin before.
• if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart disease.
• if you have ever had a stomach ulcer, perforation or bleeding of the stomach.

• if you have blood clotting disorders (e.g. haemophilia) or have ever had gout.
• if you have liver or kidney disease.

Age restrictions:
Adults (including the elderly) and children aged 16 years and over.
For migraine indication only: Not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
One powder every 4-6 hours as needed.

Other medicines and conditions:

Take special care with Beechams Powders
• When given to children aspirin may cause Reye’s syndrome. Reye’s syndrome is a very rare disease, which can be fatal.
For this reason acetylsalicylic acid should not be given to children under 16 yearsof age who have chicken pox or cold/flusymptoms before a doctor is consulted.
• Aspirin may cause bleeding. You must tell your doctor if you experience an unusual bleeding.
• Drinking alcohol at the same time as takingaspirin increases the risk of bleeding.
• Avoid excessive intake of caffeine(e.g. coffee, tea and some canned drinks) while taking this product.
• If you think you are dehydrated (you may feel thirsty with a dry mouth).
• This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per sachet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

• if you suffer from high blood pressure, kidney or liver problems.
• if you are taking any prescribed medicines; particularly methotrexate for cancer or rheumatoid arthirits (do not use if you take 15 mg or more per week; if you take less than 15 mg per week, regular blood tests are highly recommended); blood thinning drugs (anticoagulants) or thrombolytic agents (e.g., streptokinase) or blood pressure lowering treatments (ACE inhibitors); oral hypoglycaemics (to lower blood glucose) or medicines for treating gout like probenecid or sulfinpyrazone or blood pressure lowering treatments (ACE inhibitors); ibuprofen or other painkillers known as NSAIDs (e.g. diclofenac); SSRI antidepressants (such as fluoxetine) or other antidepressants (such as lithium); treatments for epilepsy (such as phenytoin or valproate); beta-blockers (e.g. atenolol);

Pregnancy and breastfeeding:

If you are pregnant or breast feeding Do not take Beechams Powders if you are pregnant or breast feeding, except on medical advice.

Patient information leaflet link: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.7305.pdf

Ingredients:

Active ingredients: Each powder contains Aspirin 600 mg and Caffeine 50 mg.
Other ingredients: Lactose monohydrate, maize starch, colloidal anhydrous silica, sodium lauryl sulphate, saccharin sodium, sodium cyclamate and spice flavour.
Packs of Beechams Powders contain either 10 or 20 powders.

Product information:

Brand Name – Beechams

Route of administration – : Oral administration only. Mix the powder with a little water and stir before drinking.

Legal Classification – P

Strength- Active ingredients Each powder contains: Aspirin 600 mg and Caffeine 50 mg.

Dosage –  One powder every 4-6 hours as needed.
Do not take more than 6 powders in 24 hours.
Do not use for more than 10 days for pain relief (or more than 3 days for fever). Always use the lowest effective dose to relieve your symptoms for the shortest period of time.
If symptoms persist see your doctor.
If you take more than the recommended dose seek medical advice immediately.

Storage – Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the ‘EXP’ date shown on the pack. Store below 25°C in a dry place.

Advice and helpful links – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/common-cold/