Surely everyone knows the symptoms of colds and flu. Such unpleasant symptoms occur suddenly. However, with the right approach to treatment, they can also suddenly disappear. To do this, you should consult a therapist who will prescribe drugs that help eliminate the symptoms of the disease, as well as quickly eliminate viruses and infections.
The most popular anti-flu and cold medicine is Flukold (tablets). Instructions for use, patient reviews will be described below. You will also learn about how remarkable this remedy is and whether it has contraindications.
Packaging, release form and composition
In what form is Flucold N produced? The instructions for use claim that this medicine can be purchased in pill form. In the amount of four pieces, they are packed in aluminum foil blisters and are contained in a paper envelope.
The virgin components of this tool are:
- paracetamol;
- phenylephrine hydrochloride;
- chlorpheniramine maleate;
- caffeine.
Also, the composition of the drug includes various excipients.
Drug properties
Do you know how remarkable such a product as Flukold N is? Instructions for use reports that it is a complex drug. It has an antihistamine, antipyretic and analgesic effect. Also, the tool in question increases efficiency and stimulates the activity of the central nervous system.
The active substances of this medicine complement and mutually enhance the effects of each other.
The therapeutic efficacy of the drug is explained by the pharmacological properties of the active ingredients that make up its composition.
Pharmacological characteristics
How does the drug Flukold (tablets) work? Instructions for use informs about the following properties of its active substances.
Paracetamol is called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that inhibits the activity of isoforms of the COX enzyme. Due to this effect, this substance reduces the synthesis of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid. As a result of this, analgesic and antipyretic effects are manifested in the central nervous system.
The anti-inflammatory properties of this drug are negligible, since cellular peroxidases contribute to the inactivation of paracetamol.
Chlorpheniramine maleate is able to block M-cholinergic receptors and H1-histamine receptors. It also has a sedative effect.
It should be noted that the mentioned substance helps to reduce the intensity of the effects that were caused by histamine. It eliminates swelling of the nasal mucosa and rhinorrhea, and also reduces the increased vascular permeability,
Phenylephrine hydrochloride is associated with alpha-adrenergic receptors, helping to reduce the intensity of signs of influenza and acute respiratory diseases of various origins.
What role does caffeine play in Flukold? Instructions for use reports that it is a neuroleptic that stimulates the central nervous system, improves physical and intellectual activity, increases strength, as well as heart rate. In addition, caffeine potentiates the effect of NSAIDs.
Indications for taking the medicine
What are the indications of Flukold? Instructions for use indicate that this tool is intended for the treatment of (symptomatic) respiratory diseases (usually acute) and flu, accompanied by fever, swelling of the nasal mucosa, rhinorrhea and myalgia.
Contraindications
Which patients are not allowed to prescribe a drug such as Flukold N (tablets)? Instructions for use indicate that contraindications to the use of this medication are:
- severe renal impairment;
- pregnancy period;
- individual sensitivity (increased) to the substances of the drug;
- breastfeeding time;
- children's age up to two years;
- severe violations in the liver.
Cautious medication
You should be extremely careful when prescribing the drug in question to people suffering from kidney and liver diseases, urinary retention, angle-closure glaucoma, prostate hypertrophy and obstructive diseases of the digestive tract.
It is also necessary to say that with caution this medication is recommended for people with epilepsy, severe diseases of the cardiovascular system, chronic alcoholism, as well as elderly people.
In addition, Flukold N is forbidden to appoint patients whose work is related to driving a car and controlling dangerous machinery.
The drug "Flukold" (tablets): instructions for use
The medication mentioned is taken orally. Tablets should be swallowed whole, without crushing and chewing, with water.
The interval between doses of this tool should be at least four hours. The duration of the course of therapy and the dosage of the medicine are determined by the attending physician after examining the patient.
For adolescents from 12 years of age and adults, this drug is prescribed one tablet four times a day.
Children 6-2 years old are recommended to take 1/2 tablet with the same frequency. As for babies aged 2-6 years, they are usually prescribed 1/4 tablet three times a day.
The maximum duration of therapy with this agent is one week.
In the event that within three days after the start of treatment the body temperature does not decrease or it rises again, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Adverse Events
What adverse reactions can Flukold tablets cause? Instructions for use states that this medicine is well tolerated by all patients. Only in isolated cases can this agent cause such undesirable effects as:
- nausea, dry mouth, digestive disorders, anorexia, epigastric pain and vomiting;
- dizziness, disturbance of the wakefulness and sleep regimen, headaches, increased irritability and irritability;
- arterial hypertension and heart rhythm disturbance;
- skin rash, urticaria, and itching.
Drug overdose
What will happen with an overdose of Flukold medication? The instruction for use states that in this case the patient has nausea, pallor of the skin, vomiting, tremor of the extremities and pain in the epigastric region. With a subsequent increase in doses, the development of nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic effects of the drug is noted.
It should also be noted that when taking an excessive amount of this drug, glucose metabolism may be disturbed, metabolic acidosis may develop, as well as methemoglobinemia and coma.
In such cases, gastric lavage, symptomatic treatment and administration of enterosorbents are indicated. In case of paracetamol poisoning, an intravenous infusion of N-acetylcysteine is required, as well as oral administration of methionine.
Interaction with other medicines
With the combination of this drug with drugs that have a hepatotoxic effect, there is an increase in the negative effect of these drugs on the liver.
“Probenecid” and “Metoclopramide”, taken together with Flukold N tablets, affect the kinetics of paracetamol.
When a drug is combined with medicines that depress the central nervous system, including sedatives, barbiturates, tranquilizers and tricyclic antidepressants, an increase in the therapeutic effect of the latter is noted.
It should also be noted that Flukold N is incompatible with ethanol.
Special recommendations
Now you know how to use the drug Flukold (4 tablets). The instruction for use states that if after taking the medication the patient’s body temperature does not decrease for three days or more, and the pain does not subside within five days, then you need to consult a doctor.
With extreme caution, this medicine is prescribed to people with diabetes.
The medicine "Flukold N" reduces the speed of reactions.
Consumer reviews
Colds and flu are the most common diseases. Therefore, there are a great many drugs for their treatment. Flukold N is one of the most effective. Its main advantage is the possibility of use in young children. After taking several tablets, the symptoms of the common cold and flu disappear almost immediately.