Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine
About
Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine is a cough and cold medication primarily used to treat common cold symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, congestion, stuffy nose, or watery eyes. It also helps treat nose or throat allergy symptoms due to upper respiratory tract allergies, sinus pain, and headache. The common cold is a respiratory illness affecting the nose and throat, mostly caused by viruses known as 'rhinovirus'. The virus enters the body through the nose, mouth, or eyes and spreads easily through droplets in the air when a person who is sick sneezes, coughs, or talks.
Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine is composed of four medicines, namely Cetirizine (antihistamine), Phenylephrine (decongestant), Paracetamol (analgesic and antipyretic), and Caffeine (a stimulant). Cetirizine belongs to the class of antihistamines (anti-allergic drugs) that works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. It helps relieve allergy symptoms such as sneezing, running nose, watery eyes, itching, swelling, congestion, or stiffness. Phenylephrine helps shrink the blood vessels in the nasal passage, reducing a stuffy nose. Paracetamol is an analgesic (relieves pain) and antipyretic (reduces fever) that works by inhibiting the production of certain chemical messengers in the brain known as 'prostaglandins' responsible for pain and fever. Caffeine acts as a common stimulant, which decreases sleepiness caused by Cetrizine and speeds up the action of all the medicines present in Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine.
Take Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine with or without food as your doctor prescribes and swallow whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break it. Your doctor will recommend how often you take Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine based on your medical condition. Some people may experience vomiting, drowsiness, restlessness, insomnia (difficulty sleeping), and dry mouth. Most of these side effects of Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Do not stop taking Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine even if you feel better without asking your doctor, as your symptoms may come back and even worsen your condition. If you have high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, heart condition or cardiovascular disorders, overactive thyroid, enlarged prostate, high blood pressure, or Raynaud's disease (blood vessel disease), please do not take the Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine as it is known to interact. Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine may cause drowsiness and sleepiness, so it is advised not to drive a car or operate machinery. Consumption of alcohol should be avoided as it may lead to excessive drowsiness and sleepiness. Please inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before starting Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine as it contains caffeine, which may pass through breast milk. Do not take Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor (anti-depressant medication) in the past 14 days.
Uses of Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine
Medicinal Benefits
Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine is primarily used to treat common cold symptoms. It is composed of four medicines, namely Cetirizine (antihistamine), Phenylephrine (decongestant), Paracetamol (analgesic and antipyretic), and Caffeine (a stimulant). Cetirizine belongs to the class of antihistamines (anti-allergic drugs) that works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. It helps relieve allergy symptoms such as sneezing, running nose, watery eyes, itching, swelling, congestion, or stiffness. Phenylephrine helps shrink the blood vessels in the nostrils and the passage and reduces stuffy noses. Paracetamol is an analgesic (relieves pain) and antipyretic (reduces fever) that works by inhibiting the production of certain chemical messengers in the brain known as 'prostaglandins' responsible for pain and fever. Caffeine acts as a common stimulant which speeds up the action of other medicines present in Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine and decreases its sleepiness (sedative) property.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Restlessness
- Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine if you are allergic to any ingredients present in it. Please inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before starting Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine as it contains caffeine, which can pass in the breast milk, which may have a stimulating effect on a breastfed child. Therefore, Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine should be avoided in pregnant or breastfeeding females. If you have high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, heart condition or cardiovascular disorders, overactive thyroid, enlarged prostate, high blood pressure, Raynaud’s disease (blood vessel disease), please do not take the Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine as it is known to interact. Also, inform your doctor about all other medications you have taken before starting Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine. Do not stop taking Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine even if you feel better without asking your doctor, as your symptoms may come back and even worsen your condition. Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine may cause drowsiness and sleepiness, so it is advised not to drive a car or operate machinery. Consumption of alcohol should be avoided as it may lead to excessive drowsiness and sleepiness. Do not take Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor (anti-depressant medication) in the past 14 days.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine may interact with blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin), antibiotics (chloramphenicol), high cholesterol-lowering medicines (cholestyramine), anti-sickness drugs (domperidone, metoclopramide), anti-allergic drugs (diphenhydramine), drugs used to reduce acid in the stomach (pantoprazole), anti-depressants (isocarboxazid, rasagiline, linezolid, tranylcypromine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol intake with Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine as it may cause increased drowsiness, dizziness, and lack of concentration.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine should not be used in patients with a serious heart condition or cardiovascular disorders, overactive thyroid, enlarged prostate, high blood pressure, and Raynaud’s disease (blood vessel disease).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine to avoid excessive drowsiness and sleepiness.
Pregnancy
cautionThe safety of Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine in pregnant women is unknown. Therefore, it is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionParacetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine contains caffeine which is known to pass through the breast milk and stimulate the breastfeeding child.
Driving
cautionParacetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine is known to cause drowsiness, so please do not drive or operate any machinery which requires concentration.
Liver
cautionParacetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionParacetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
cautionParacetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine is not recommended for children below the age of 12.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Wash your hands with soap and water regularly to prevent the spread of germs.
- Eat plenty of foods rich in good bacteria, like yoghurt, to improve overall health.
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
- Gargle with salt water for relief from sore throat.
- Avoid alcohol consumption with Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine as it may cause tiredness, drowsiness, or lack of concentration.
Special Advise
- Avoid alcohol consumption with Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine as it may cause tiredness, drowsiness, or lack of concentration.
- Do not take Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor (anti-depressant medication) in the past 14 days.
- Please inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before starting Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine as it contains caffeine, which can pass in the breast milk, which may have a stimulating effect on a breastfed child.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Common cold: The common cold is an infection caused by viruses, mainly 'rhinovirus' affecting your nose and throat (upper respiratory tract). Children younger than six years of age are at the most significant risk of colds, but healthy adults can also be affected by having two to have 2-3 colds annually. In most cases, cold symptoms are recovered within a week or ten days. However, symptoms might last longer in people who smoke or are exposed to allergens like dust, pollutants, etc. Common cold symptoms might include stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, cough, congestion, mild body pain or a mild headache, sneezing, low-grade fever, and feeling unwell (malaise). In some cases, the discharge from your nose may become thicker and yellow or green, which does not indicate a bacterial infection. If you observe these symptoms, immediately contact your doctor.
Allergy: Allergy is an immune system response to foreign elements typically not harmful to your body. These foreign elements are known as ‘allergens.’ Allergic condition varies from person to person. Some might be allergic to certain foods and seasonal allergies like hay fever. At the same time, others might be allergic to pollen or pet dander.
FAQs
Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine is composed of four medicines, namely Cetirizine (antihistamine), Phenylephrine (decongestant), Paracetamol (analgesic and antipyretic), and Caffeine (a stimulant). Cetirizine belongs to the class of antihistamines (anti-allergic drugs) that works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. It helps relieve allergy symptoms such as sneezing, running nose, watery eyes, itching, swelling, congestion, or stiffness. Phenylephrine helps shrink the blood vessels in the nostrils and the passage and reduces stuffy noses. Paracetamol is an analgesic (relieves pain) and antipyretic (reduces fever) that works by inhibiting the production of certain chemical messengers in the brain known as 'prostaglandins' responsible for pain and fever. Caffeine acts as a common stimulant, decreasing the sleepiness property of Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine and speeding up the action of other medicines in Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine.
Yes, the Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine might cause nausea or vomiting in some cases. In case you are experiencing excessive nausea while consuming Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine, speak with your doctor right away.
Yes, it is absolutely safe to take antibiotics along with Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine to manage fever and infection symptoms.
Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine should be used with caution in patients with bronchial asthma, narrow-angle glaucoma, gastrointestinal obstruction, or urinary bladder obstruction, diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), heart disease, and thyroid disease.
No, you should not take Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine along with high blood pressure (hypertension) medication, leading to a further rise in blood pressure. Please inform your doctor if you have high blood pressure before starting Paracetamol+cetirizine+phenylephrine+caffeine.
