Lemsip Cold & Flu Breathe Easy Lemon & Menthol 5 Sachets is a hot drink medicine containing paracetamol 650mg and phenylephrine hydrochloride 10mg per sachet, used for the short-term relief of cold and flu symptoms.

Paracetamol is a painkiller that helps relieve aches, pains and headaches while reducing high temperature. Phenylephrine hydrochloride is a nasal decongestant that reduces swelling in the nasal passages, helping to relieve nasal congestion.

Lemsip Cold & Flu Breathe Easy is used for the symptomatic relief of headaches, body aches, sore throats, blocked noses and high temperature associated with colds and influenza.

Suitable for adults, the elderly and adolescents aged 16 years and over, the lemon and menthol flavoured powder is dissolved in hot water to prepare an oral drink.

The recommended dose is one sachet every 4 to 6 hours when required, up to a maximum of four sachets in 24 hours.

Each pack contains 5 sachets of powder for oral solution, offering a measured dose that can be prepared as a hot drink.

Do not exceed 4 sachets in 24 hours or use for longer than 5 days without medical advice. Do not take with other medicines containing paracetamol.

Patient Information Leaflet

Main ingredients: Paracetamol 650mg, Phenylephrine hydrochloride 10mg per sachet. Excipients: Caster sugar, pulverised sucrose, citric acid anhydrous, sodium citrate, lemon flavour no. 1, menthol flavour, aspartame (E951), saccharin sodium, curcumin WD, ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

Main ingredients: Paracetamol 650mg, Phenylephrine hydrochloride 10mg per sachet. Excipients: Caster sugar, pulverised sucrose, citric acid anhydrous, sodium citrate, lemon flavour no. 1, menthol flavour, aspartame (E951), saccharin sodium, curcumin WD, ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

Do not take Lemsip Cold & Flu Breathe Easy if you:

• Are allergic to paracetamol, phenylephrine hydrochloride or any other ingredient.
• Have a serious heart condition or cardiovascular disorder.
• Have high blood pressure (hypertension).
• Have an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
• Are taking or have taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) within the last 14 days.
• Are taking other sympathomimetic decongestants.
• Have an enlarged prostate.
• Have phaeochromocytoma, a rare tumour of the adrenal gland.
• Have diabetes mellitus.
• Have closed-angle glaucoma.
• Are under 16 years of age.

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you:

• Have liver or kidney problems.
• Have Raynaud's syndrome, which affects blood circulation in the fingers and toes.
• Have non-cirrhotic liver disease.
• Have phenylketonuria (PKU).
• Have been advised to follow a low sodium diet.
• Have been told you have an intolerance to certain sugars.
• Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Are taking any other medicines.

Pregnancy: Do not use this medicine during pregnancy unless recommended by a healthcare professional.

The product should not be used by women with a history of pre-eclampsia.

Phenylephrine use during pregnancy may present risks to the developing baby. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

Breastfeeding: Avoid using this medicine while breastfeeding unless recommended by a healthcare professional.

There are limited data on the use of phenylephrine during breastfeeding. Paracetamol passes into breast milk in amounts that are not considered clinically significant.

Interactions with other medicines: Do not take this medicine with other products containing paracetamol or sympathomimetic decongestants.

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before use if you take:

• Beta-blockers or other medicines for high blood pressure.
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
• Tricyclic antidepressants.
• Anticoagulants such as warfarin.
• Medicines for nausea and vomiting, including metoclopramide or domperidone.
• Cholestyramine.
• Medicines for epilepsy, including phenytoin or carbamazepine.
• Barbiturates.
• Digoxin or other cardiac glycosides.
• Flucloxacillin.
• Isoniazid.
• Oxytocin or ergot alkaloids.

This is not a complete list of possible interactions.

Important information about ingredients:

• Contains 45mg aspartame (E951) per sachet. Aspartame is a source of phenylalanine and may be harmful to people with phenylketonuria (PKU).
• Contains 120.74mg sodium per sachet, equivalent to approximately 6% of the recommended maximum daily sodium intake for an adult.
• The maximum daily dose of 4 sachets contains 482.96mg sodium, equivalent to approximately 24.1% of the recommended maximum daily intake.
• Contains 2.57g sucrose per sachet, which should be considered by people who need to monitor their sugar intake.
• If you have been told you have an intolerance to certain sugars, consult your doctor before use.

Liver problems and alcohol: Paracetamol must be used cautiously in people with liver disease.

The risk of serious liver damage from an overdose is greater in people with non-cirrhotic alcoholic liver disease.

Serious blood and fluid abnormalities: A serious condition called high anion gap metabolic acidosis has been reported in certain patients taking paracetamol, particularly those with severe illness, kidney impairment, sepsis, malnutrition or chronic alcoholism, or those taking flucloxacillin.

Symptoms may include:

• Deep, rapid breathing or severe breathing difficulties.
• Unusual drowsiness.
• Nausea and vomiting.

Seek immediate medical attention if these symptoms develop.

Serious allergic reactions: Stop taking this medicine and seek immediate medical attention if you experience signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.

Serious skin reactions: Very rare cases of serious skin reactions have been reported with paracetamol.

Stop using this medicine and seek urgent medical attention if a severe skin reaction develops.

Driving and operating machinery: Lemsip Cold & Flu Breathe Easy has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive or operate machinery.

Overdose: Taking more than the recommended dose may cause:

• Nausea or vomiting.
• Stomach pain.
• Dizziness.
• Headache.
• Palpitations.
• High blood pressure.
• Pale appearance.

Seek immediate medical attention after an overdose, even if you feel well. Excess paracetamol can cause delayed, serious liver damage.

When to seek medical advice:

• If symptoms persist for more than 5 days.
• If cold or flu symptoms worsen.
• If you experience a suspected serious side effect.
• If you have taken more than the recommended dose.

Storage and safety:

• Store below 25°C in a dry place.
• Keep in the original packaging.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date shown on the packaging.

Do not exceed the stated dose or take alongside other paracetamol-containing medicines.

Like all medicines, Lemsip Cold & Flu Breathe Easy can cause side effects, although not everybody will experience them.

Additional safety information:

Serious liver damage may occur following a paracetamol overdose, even if no symptoms are initially present.

Seek immediate medical attention if you take more than the recommended dose, even if you feel well.

Reporting side effects:

If you experience any side effects, including those not listed in the Patient Information Leaflet, speak to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

Suspected side effects can also be reported through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.

Stop taking this medicine and seek immediate medical attention if you develop a serious skin reaction, severe allergic reaction or symptoms of metabolic acidosis.