Summary of medicine characteristics - NATURES GARDEN ECHINACEA COLD AND FLU CAPSULES,LIFECYCLE ECHINACEA COLD AND FLU CAPSULES,HOLLAND & BARRETT ECHINACEA COLD AND FLU CAPSULES,GNC LIVE WELL ECHINACEA COLD AND FLU CAPSULES
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Holland & Barrett Echinacea Cold and Flu Capsules
GNC Live Well Echinacea Cold and Flu Capsules
Lifecycle Echinacea Cold and Flu Capsules
Nature’s Garden Echinacea Cold & Flu Capsules
2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Each hard capsule contains 140mg of extract (as dry extract) from (Echinacea purpurea root) (equivalent to 838mg – 1117mg of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, root).
Extraction solvent: Ethanol 75% v/v.
For full list of excipients, see section 6.1
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Capsule, hard
Two piece clear, hard hypromellose capsules with grey/brown powder fill.
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
A traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms of the common cold and influenza type infections. This is based on traditional use only.
4.2 Posology and method of administration For oral use only.
Adults, elderly and children over 12 years:
Take one capsule twice daily. Swallow the whole capsule with water.
Start at the first sign of a common cold.
Do not exceed the stated dose.
Duration of use:
Do not use this product for more than 10 days.
If symptoms worsen, or persist for more than 10 days, a Doctor or a qualified Healthcare Practitioner should be consulted.
Not recommended for use in children under 12 years (see section 4.4 Special warning and precautions for use)
4.3 Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to plants of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family
Because of its immunostimulating activity, Echinacea must not be used in cases of progressive systemic disorders (tuberculosis, sarcoidosis), autoimmune diseases (e.g. collangenoses, multiple sclerosis), immunodeficiencies (e.g. HIV infection, AIDS), immunosuppression (e.g. onocological cytostatic therapy, history of organ or bone marrow transplant) and diseases of the white blood cell system (e.g. agranulocytosis, leukaemias) and allergic diathesis (e.g. urticaria, atopic dermatitis, asthma)
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Do not exceed the stated dose
If symptoms worsen, or do not improve or high fever occurs during the use of this product or if symptoms persist for more than 10 days, a Doctor or qualified Healthcare Practitioner should be consulted
Not recommended for children under 12 years of age because data are not sufficient and medical advice should be sought.
There is a possible risk of anaphylactic reactions in atopic patients. Atopic patients should consult their Doctor or qualified Healthcare Practitioner before using Echinacea
There is a possible risk of allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Those patients should consult their doctor before using Echinacea
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Not to be used concomitantly with immunosuppressant medications such as ciclosporin and methotrexate
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Safety during pregnancy and lactation has not been established. Due to the lack of data, use during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended.
Limited data (several hundreds of exposed pregnancies) indicate no adverse effects of Echinacea on pregnancy or on the health of the foetus/newborn child. Data concerning the immune system of the newborn child are not available. To date, no other relevant epidemiological data are available. The potential risk for humans is unknown.
Studies on the effects on fertility have not been performed
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
No studies on the effect on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed.
4.8 Undesirable effects
Hypersensitive reactions (skin reactions rash, urticaria, swelling of the face) may occur. Cases of severe hypersensitivity reactions such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, angiodema of the skin, Quicke edema, bronchospasm with airway obstruction, asthma and analphylactic shock) have been reported.
Echinacea can trigger reactions in atopic patients. Association with autoimmune diseases (encephalitis disseminate, erythema nodosum, immunothrombocytopenia, Evans Syndrome, Sjogren syndrome with renal tubular dysfunction) has been reported. Leucopenia may occur in long-term use (more than 8 weeks)
The frequency is not known.
If other adverse reactions not mentioned above occur, a Doctor or qualified Healthcare Practitioner should be consulted.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme (www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard).
4.9 Overdose
4.9 OverdoseNo cases of overdose have been reported.
5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Not required as per Article 16c(1)(a)(iii) of Directive 2001/83/EC as amended.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
Not required as per Article 16c(1)(a)(iii) of Directive 2001/83/EC as amended.
5.3 Preclinical safety data.
5.3 Preclinical safety data.Reverse mutation assays (Ames test) on bacteria indicated that the product was not mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium (strains TA 98, TA 100, TA 102, TA 1535 and TA 1537) mutation assays with or without metabolic activation.
Tests on reproductive toxicity and carcinogenicity have not been performed
6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Microcrystalline cellulose
Magnesium stearate
Silica colloidal hydrated
Excipients in the extract:
Maltodextrin
Silica colloidal anhydrous
Capsule Shell:
Hypromellose
6.2 Incompatibilities
Not applicable
6.3 Shelf life
3 years
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Do not store above 25°C.
Store in the original container.
6.5 Nature and contents of container
Container:
Green Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles with a polypropylene chiffon green hinge cap with an inner seal liner designed to lift ‘n’ peal. The inner seal (polyester film, polymer adhesive layer, polyester tab, polyolefin foam, aluminium foil and sealable polyester film) acts as a tamper evident seal under the cap
Pack size: 30 capsules, 60 capsules or 100 capsules
6.6 Special precautions for disposal
6.6 Special precautions for disposalNo special requirements.