Since this medicine contains caffeine, you should avoid drinking lots of caffeine-containing drinks, eg tea, coffee, cola, while you are taking it. Excessive caffeine consumption can cause insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, headaches and palpitations. You should not use this medicine if you are currently taking a type of medicine called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), or have taken one of these medicines in the last 14 days. MAOIs include the antidepressants phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid and moclobemide, and the anti-Parkinson's medicines selegiline and rasagiline. This is because the combination of phenylephrine with these medicines could cause a dangerous increase in blood pressure (hypertensive crisis). Caffeine can increase the elimination of lithium from the body. If taken concomitantly, it is recommended to reduce or moderate the intake of caffeine.

a, Is on long term treatment with carbamazepine, phenobarbitone, phenytoin, primidone, rifampicin, St John's Wort or other drugs that induce liver enzymes. Contains paracetamol. Do not take with other flu, cold or decongestant products. Do not take anything else containing paracetamol while taking this medicine. Do not take more medicine than the label tells you to. If you do not get better, talk to your doctor. Seek immediate medical advice if you take too much of this medicine even if you feel well. You could get the same effect more cheaply by taking a painkiller and drinking a cup of tea or coffee, especially as the evidence is weak for the decongestant element (see more on decongestants below).It must be noted that for clinically significant symptoms of caffeine overdose to occur with this product, the amount ingested would be associated with serious paracetamol-related liver toxicity. There are several on the market that claim to be able to prevent a cold or nip it in the bud at the first sign of symptoms. Find out more about which painkiller to choose for different types of aches and pains in our full painkillers guide

Allergic reactions such as a rash or itching. Stop using this medicine and get medical advice if you think you've had an allergic reaction to it. Liver damage is possible in adults who have taken 10g or more of paracetamol. Ingestion of 5g or more of paracetamol may lead to liver damage if the patient has risk factors (see below). Cold and flu medicines come in a range of formats including tablets, liquids and sachets (for making a hot drink). They typically contain paracetamol, phenylephrine (a decongestant), and caffeine. It's fine to take Beechams flu plus caplets with plain ibuprofen or aspirin (assuming these are appropriate for you). However, don't take them with co-codamol, co-dydramol or Tramacet because these contain paracetamol. Pre-clinical safety data on these active ingredients in the literature have not revealed any pertinent and conclusive findings which are of relevance to the recommended dosage and use of the product and which have not already been mentioned elsewhere in this Summary.

Cholestyramine reduces the absorption of paracetamol from the gut. It should not be taken within an hour of taking this medicine or the effect of the paracetamol will be reduced. Adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over should take two capsules every four to six hours as needed. Do not take more than six doses (12 capsules) in 24 hours. It is thought paracetamol reduces fever by affecting an area of the brain that regulates our body temperature (the hypothalamic heat-regulating center). The paracetamol in Beechams powders capsules helps relieve aches, pains, sore throats and fever associated with colds and flu. A wealth of other cold and flu remedies are available to buy without a prescription. Many of these will also contain paracetamol, phenylephrine or caffeine in their ingredients.

Unfortunately, there aren't so many own-brand or generic versions of these around, so you'll usually have to pay a premium for them. There is also some evidence that a spoonful of honey dissolved in warm water is actually more effective than medicated products for reducing the frequency and severity of a cough.The body produces prostaglandins in response to injury and certain diseases. One of the effects of prostaglandins is to sensitise nerve endings, causing pain (presumably to prevent us from causing further harm to the area). As paracetamol reduces the production of these nerve sensitising prostaglandins it is thought it may increase our pain threshold, so that although the cause of the pain remains, we can feel it less. Symptoms of paracetamol overdosage in the first 24 hours are pallor, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and abdominal pain. Liver damage may become apparent 12 to 48 hours after ingestion and have peaked after 4-6 days. Abnormalities of glucose metabolism and metabolic acidosis may occur. In severe poisoning, hepatic failure may progress to encephalopathy, haemorrhage, hypoglycaemia, cerebral oedema, and death. Acute renal failure with acute tubular necrosis, strongly suggested by loin pain, haematuria and proteinuria, may develop even in the absence of severe liver damage. Cardiac arrhythmias and pancreatitis have been reported.

Here's everything you need to know about Beechams flu caplets, including how they work, who shouldn't use them and the potential side effects: How do Beechams flu plus caplets work? Combination products are marketed as comprehensive cold-fighting remedies, but the main benefit is convenience. Women who are breastfeeding. (It's not known if phenylephrine passes into breast milk, or its effect on a nursing infant. When taken by mouth, decongestants such as phenylephrine can also temporarily decrease the production of breast milk with just one or two doses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.) Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with the ingredients of Beechams flu plus caplets. Just because a side effect is stated here doesn't mean that all people using this medicines will experience that or any side effect.The antidiabetic medicines exenatide, lixisenatide and liraglutide may slow down the absorption of paracetamol into the bloodstream, so it might take longer to work if you're using one of these medicines to treat your diabetes. Ask your pharmacist for more advice. The combination of active ingredients in Beechams powders capsules helps to relieve the symptoms of colds and flu. How do I take it? Symptoms of paracetamol overdosage in the first 24 hours are pallor, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and abdominal pain. Liver damage may become apparent 12 to 48 hours after ingestion. Abnormalities of glucose metabolism and metabolic acidosis may occur. In severe poisoning, hepatic failure may progress to encephalopathy, haemorrhage, hypoglycaemia, cerebral oedema, and death. Acute renal failure with acute tubular necrosis, strongly suggested by loin pain, haematuria and proteinuria, may develop even in the absence of severe liver damage. Cardiac arrhythmias and pancreatitis have been reported.