Care Decongestant Tablets are a 12-tablet pack of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 60mg tablets for the relief of nose, sinus and upper chest congestion. Pseudoephedrine narrows blood vessels, which reduces swelling and mucus production, and the dose is one tablet four times a day.

Key Features

• Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 60mg: Each tablet contains 60mg of the decongestant pseudoephedrine hydrochloride.
• Targets congestion: Used for nose, sinus and upper chest congestion, as pseudoephedrine restricts blood vessels, reduces swelling and reduces mucus production.
• Suitable from 12 years: Can be used by adults, the elderly and children over 12 years. It must not be given to children under 12.
• Easy to identify: The tablets are curved, white and embossed with '60' on one side, supplied in blister packs of 12.

Can I take Care Decongestant Tablets if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

No. The leaflet states that Care Decongestant Tablets should not be used in pregnancy or when breastfeeding. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

Can children take Care Decongestant Tablets?

Children over 12 years can take one tablet four times a day, the same as adults. Do not give the tablets to children under 12 years.

Can I take Care Decongestant Tablets with other cold remedies or my regular medicines?

Do not use them with other nasal decongestants, including sprays, or if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for depression within the last two weeks. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you take other medicines, such as appetite suppressants, medicines for blood pressure, antidepressants or medicines for a heart condition. The full list is in Warnings.

Does it contain lactose?

Yes. Each tablet contains lactose. If you have been told you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

Patient Information Leaflet

Active ingredient: Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 60mg per tablet.

Other ingredients: Lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate.

Take this medicine by mouth. Do not exceed the stated dose.

• Adults, the elderly and children over 12 years: take one tablet four times a day.
• Children under 12 years: do not give.

If you forget a dose, take the next dose as soon as you remember. Do not take a double dose to make up for the one you missed. If you take too many tablets, see a doctor straight away and take the pack with you.

Read the following before using this medicine:

• Do not give to children under 12 years.
• Do not use in pregnancy or when breastfeeding. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.
• Do not use with other nasal decongestants, including sprays.
• Do not use if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for depression within the last two weeks, or if you take beta-blockers.
• Do not use if you have severe acute or long-term kidney disease or kidney failure, heart disease, circulation problems, diabetes, an overactive thyroid gland, glaucoma (raised pressure inside the eyeball) or phaeochromocytoma (a rare tumour of the adrenal glands).
• Do not use if you have very high blood pressure (severe hypertension) or blood pressure not controlled by your medication.
• Do not use if you are allergic to any of the ingredients.
• Talk to your doctor before use if you have bladder problems, prostate problems, mild kidney problems, severe liver disease, or have had inflammation of the colon due to insufficient blood supply (ischaemic colitis).
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you take medicines to reduce your appetite, medicines that stimulate the nervous system (such as amphetamines), medicines that lower blood pressure, medicines for mental illness, antidepressants including moclobemide, cardiac glycosides (such as digoxin), rasagiline or selegiline, ergotamine or methysergide, apraclonidine, quinidine, kaolin and aluminium hydroxide antacids, or the antibiotic furazolidone.
• If you go into hospital, tell the doctor you are using this medicine, as it may affect some hospital medicines and anaesthetics.
• Stop taking the tablets and seek medical attention immediately if you develop any of the serious reactions listed in Side Effects.
• The tablets contain lactose.

Like all medicines, Care Decongestant Tablets can have side effects, although these do not affect everyone. The frequencies are unknown.

Stop using this medicine and contact your doctor or seek medical attention immediately if you develop:

• Symptoms of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) or reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS), which can include severe headache with a sudden onset, feeling sick, vomiting, confusion, seizures and changes in vision.
• Sudden abdominal pain or rectal bleeding, due to inflammation of the colon (ischaemic colitis).
• Sudden onset of fever, reddening of the skin or many small pustules, which may be signs of acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) within the first 2 days of treatment.
• Allergic reactions, which may cause difficulty in breathing, fever, swelling of the mouth, lips or skin, severe rashes, itching or stomach pain.

Other possible side effects:

• hallucinations, restlessness, anxiety, irritability or excitement
• being unable to sleep or disturbed sleep
• feeling sick or being sick
• headache
• skin rashes, lumps and red skin patches
• glaucoma (raised pressure in the eyeball)
• difficulty passing urine
• abnormal or rapid heartbeat, palpitations or high blood pressure
• poor circulation, such as cold feet or hands
• trembling
• dry mouth
• rarely, mental disorders

If you notice any of these or any other side effect, stop use and tell your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects through the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.