Overview
- Multi-symptom products such as Lemsip, Day Nurse and Benylin often already contain paracetamol, creating a risk of unintentional overdose if extra paracetamol is taken.
- Night-time remedies frequently include sedating antihistamines, so adding separate antihistamines like cetirizine, loratadine or fexofenadine can cause excessive drowsiness and more side effects.
- The pharmacist advises people to read packaging carefully and to ask a community pharmacist or GP if they are unsure which medicines can be safely combined.
- The public warning is being amplified during a winter surge in influenza cases that has pushed up hospital admissions across the UK.
- NHS advice also notes that antibiotics do not treat viral flu and that vaccination is recommended for those who are eligible.