ECHINAFLU EFFERVESCENT TABLETS, ECHINACOLD ECHINACEA COLD & FLU RELIEF EFFERVESCENT TABLETS - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

1 - what this product is and what it is used for

This product is a traditional herbal medicinal product containing Echinacea purpurea herb. It is a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms of the common cold and influenza type infections. This usage is based on traditional use only.

• 2 – Before you take this product

Do not take this product if you:

u Are allergic to any of the ingredients

or to plants of the Asteraceae/ Compositae family such as daisies, marigolds or artichokes (see section 6)

u Have a tendency to allergies such as hives, allergic eczema or asthma

u Are pregnant or breastfeeding

u Suffer from the infection tuberculosis

u Suffer from connective tissue disease such as sarcoidosis

u Suffer from autoimmune diseases such as inflammation of the connective tissue (collagenoses) or multiple sclerosis u Suffer from conditions which reduce your immunity to infection such as HIV infection or AIDS

u Are on therapy which reduces your resistance to infection such as cancer drug treatment or radiotherapy, history of organ or bone marrow transplant

u Suffer from blood disorders involving the white blood cells count due to bone marrow disorders (agranulocytosis) or leukaemia

u Are taking immunosuppressant medicines such as ciclosporin or methotrexate

u Are under 12 years of age

TAKE SPECIAL CARE with this product

u Do not exceed the stated dose

u If you are prone to allergies, there is a risk of developing serious allergic reactions to Echinacea e.g. anaphylactic reactions

u Taking Echinacea containing products may trigger autoimmune diseases

u This product contains 17.05mmol (or 392mg) sodium per tablet. This should be taken into consideration by patients on a sodium controlled diet

3 - how to take this product

Adults, elderly and children over 12 years of age: Take 1–2 effervescent tablets daily, dissolved in a glass of water (about 200ml). The dissolved tablet should be drunk immediately.

Start taking at the first sign of a cold or flu. Do not take for longer than 10 days.

This product is not suitable for children under 12 years of age.

If you take too much of this product (overdose): If you take more than the recommended dose, speak to a doctor, pharmacist or qualified healthcare practitioner and take this leaflet with you.

If you forget to take this product: Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. It doesn’t matter if you miss a dose.

If you have any questions, or are unsure about anything, please ask your doctor, pharmacist or qualified healthcare practitioner.

• 4 – Possible side-effects

Like all medicines, this product can have side-effects, although not everyone gets them. Stop taking this product and check with your doctor, pharmacist or qualified healthcare practitioner if any of the following side-effects occur:

Allergic (hypersensitive) reactions such as: u Rash u Hives

u Inflammatory disorder of the skin (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome)

u Swelling of the skin due to fluid

u Swelling of the facial area (Quincke’s oedema) u Shrinking of the airways in the lungs with obstruction (bronchospasm)

u Asthma and life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylactic shoc­k)

Echinacea can trigger allergic reactions in patients who have a tendency to develop allergic conditions. Association with autoimmune diseases has been reported such as:

u Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord (disseminated encephalitis)

u Painful lumps on the shins (erythema nodosum)

u Low blood platelet count (immunothrombo­cytopenia)

u Destruction of blood cells by antibodies (Evans Syndrome)

u Dryness in the mouth and eyes with renal tubular dysfunction (Sjogren Syndrome)

A decrease in the number of white blood cells (leucopenia) may occur in long-term use (more than 8 weeks). The frequency is not known.

You must see your doctor or a qualified healthcare practitioner if your symptoms worsen, if you experience a high fever or your symptoms persist after 10 days. If any of these side-effects become troublesome, or if you notice side-effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell a doctor, pharmacist or qualified healthcare practitioner.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at:. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5 - how to store this product

u Do not use your tablets after the expiry date u Return any out-of-date tablets to your pharmacist who will dispose of them for you. The expiry date is printed on the tube and outer carton

u You can use these tablets up to 7 months after first opening the packaging

u Store the tablets in a cool dry place

u Keep the tablets out of the reach and sight of children

u Keep your tablets in the tube until it is time to take them

• 6 – Further information