Theraflu: indications, instructions for use

Composition and release form

The drug is available as a topical spray and powder for oral administration. The latter has the smell of berries, a loose base of homogeneous granules of various colors. Packaged in cardboard packaging of 10 sachets with a volume of 11.5 g.

The spray is a clear solution with a mint smell. Sold in a spray bottle. The set includes instructions for use.

The active ingredients are paracetamol, pheniramine maleate, phenylephrine hydrochloride in the powder. And benzoxonium chloride, lidocoine hydrochloride in the aerosol base. Excipients: dyes, flavors, silicon dioxide, sucrose, citric acid, calcium phosphate, sodium dihydrate, acesulfame potassium, glycerin, menthol, peppermint, ethanol and pure water.

pharmachologic effect

The drug belongs to combination drugs with a large list of pharmacological activities. It has an antihistamine, sedative, vasoconstrictor, and antitussive effect. It also lowers temperature and suppresses pain.

As a result of using the medicine, there is a decrease in the symptoms of acute respiratory infections and colds. Improves nasal breathing and overall well-being. The drug helps fight a runny nose, tonsillitis, swelling, and local allergic symptoms. Suppresses the development of the inflammatory process, pain and normalizes body temperature.

Due to the content of benzoxonium chloride in local form, the product has an antibacterial effect against gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens. In addition, it eliminates viruses and fungi, in particular helps in the treatment of influenza, parainfluenza and herpes infections.

The therapeutic effect of Theraflu occurs 15-20 minutes after administration and lasts up to 5 hours.

Pharmacological effect

Theraflu reduces fever, relieves cough, promotes mucus discharge, relieves headaches, moderately constricts capillaries, reducing swelling of the mucous membranes.

Paracetamol in combination with other active substances has an analgesic effect, reduces body temperature, and eliminates other symptoms of malaise during feverish conditions.

Pheniramine maleate works as an antihistimine, relieving itching, burning, and irritation of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx and trachea. Phenylephrine hydrochloride reduces their hyperemia and promotes the outflow of fluid from areas of inflammation.

Quickly absorbed through the gastric mucosa into the blood, the medicine acts within 10–15 minutes. The therapeutic effect lasts for 3–5 hours.

Taking Theraflu eliminates the symptoms of most respiratory infections, improves overall well-being, restores performance, and shortens the duration of ARVI, influenza and other colds.

What is Theraflu medicine for?

Indications for taking Theraflu are:

ARVI, ARZ.
Symptoms of influenza and colds include chills, high fever, headache, runny nose, impaired nasal breathing, fever, malaise and muscle aches.
Pharyngitis, laryngitis.
Stomatitis of various forms.
Sore throat, catarrhal and chronic.
Gingivitis.
Sinusitis.
Vasomotor and allergic rhinitis.
Rhinorrhea.
Hay fever.
Rhinosinusopathy.

** Paracetamol can be used in patients with body temperature below 37.2°C in order to achieve analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-edematous effects. The maximum daily dose of paracetamol for adults is 4000.0 mg.

1 Martynov A. I., Malyavin A. G., Zhuravleva M. V. Bolieva L. Z., Esaulenko E. V., Babak S. L., Kalyuzhin O. V. Consensus of the expert council of the RNMOT “Improving the results of treatment of infections respiratory tract". Preventive medicine. 2019;22(4):144-151 Bachert, C., Chuchalin, A.G., Eisebitt, R., Netayzhenko, V.Z. & Voelker, M. Aspirin Compared with Acetaminophen in the Treatment of Fever and OtherSymptoms of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in Adults: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Double-Dummy, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group, Single-Dose, 6-Hour Dose-Ranging. Stud. Clin. Ther. 2005;27:993–1003 1000 mg versus 600/650 mg Acetaminophen for Pain or Fever: A Review of the Clinical Efficacy [Internet]. Ottawa (ON): Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2021 McQuay HJ, Moore RA. Dose-response in direct comparisons of different doses of aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen) in analgesic studies. Br. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 2007;63:271–278

2 Contains paracetamol, phenylephrine, pheniramine, ascorbic acid. Against flu and cold symptoms: high fever, chills, body aches, headache and muscle pain, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing. Instructions for the medical use of the drug TeraFlu for colds and flu RU P N012063/01 dated 05/31/2011

3 Paracetamol content 325 mg per sachet. Instructions for medical use Theraflu for flu and colds Lemon RU P N012063/01 dated 05/31/2011, Theraflu for flu and colds Wild berries RU LS-001960 dated 09/11/2012

4 2 times more paracetamol (650 mg in 1 sachet) than Theraflu for flu and colds (325 mg). Instructions for medical use Theraflu Extra RU LSR-007823/10 dated 08/10/2010

5 Contents of the maximum single dose of paracetamol (1000 mg) in one sachet within the Theraflu line. Instructions for medical use Theraflu Max RU LSR -006670/09 dated 08/20/2009

Contraindications

Absolute contraindications to prescribing the drug are: hypersensitivity of the body to the components of the drug, children under 12 years of age, women during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Antipyretic medication should be used with caution in the following cases:

Severe dysfunction of the liver and kidneys.
Glaucoma.
Bronchitis in the chronic stage.
Diabetes mellitus of any type.
Thyroid dysfunction.
Emphysema.
High blood pressure.
Diseases of the heart and vascular system.
Hyperbilirubinemia.

special instructions

When treating Theraflu, it is necessary to take into account the amount of paracetamol entering the body. It is undesirable to take other medications containing it during this period. If this occurs, the dosage of the drug should be proportionally reduced.

Theraflu can affect the speed of psychomotor reactions. While undergoing treatment, you need to temporarily stop driving a car, performing intense mental work, and operating complex equipment.

The medicine should be taken with caution by people suffering from chronic diseases of the liver, kidneys, glaucoma, bronchial asthma, congenital hyperbilirubinemia and other hematopoietic diseases, thyroid pathologies, and atherosclerosis. During the course of treatment, it is important for them to monitor biochemical parameters and note any changes in well-being. The dosage of Theraflu for such health problems should be reduced.

Side effects

Theraflu in certain situations can provoke the development of side effects. More often occur:

Dyspeptic disorders - vomiting, nausea, pain in the epigastric region, dry mouth.
Dizziness.
Insomnia, drowsiness.
Increased intraocular pressure.
Urinary dysfunction.
Decreased platelet levels in the blood.
Allergic manifestations - skin rashes, itching, hyperemia, swelling, urticaria.
Paresis.
Bronchospasm.

Theraflu: how to take it

The product in powder form is intended for oral administration. The contents of the sachet are dissolved in 180 ml of hot water and drunk immediately. Sugar can be added if necessary. It is permissible to use no more than 3 sachets per day.

Taking the medicine does not depend on food or time. For the best pharmacological effect, it is advisable to take Theraflu before going to bed.

The duration of therapy is 3 days. If symptoms of the disease persist, it is important to consult a specialist.

The medicine in aerosol form is used for up to 5 days according to the traditional scheme: no more than 6 times a day, 4 sprays.

Application and dosage

Before taking the powder from the bag, pour 200 ml of hot boiled water and stir until the lumps dissolve. The solution is drunk warm between meals. In the absence of contraindications, it is allowed to sweeten it with a small amount of honey or sugar.

The maximum dose of medication per day is no more than 4 sachets. The break that must be observed between doses of Theraflu: 4–5 hours. A particularly pronounced symptomatic effect is achieved when using the solution at night. It is also possible to take a one-time medication to relieve symptoms in unsatisfactory conditions.

Permitted period of daily use of the drug without medical supervision: 3 days. If relief does not occur during this time, it is necessary to stop treatment with Theraflu and carefully examine the body.

Drug interactions

When Theraflu interacts with MAO inhibitors, sedatives and ethyl alcohol, the effect of the latter is enhanced.

Combining medications with hormones can lead to the development of glaucoma.

The use of tricyclic antidepressants increases the symptomatic effect of Theraflu.

Phenothiazine group drugs, antipsychotics and antiparkinsonian drugs increase the risk of adverse reactions such as bowel problems, urinary problems and dry mouth.

Description of the drug TERAFLU

Paracetamol

Enhances the effects of MAO inhibitors, sedatives, ethanol.

The risk of hepatotoxic action of paracetamol increases with simultaneous use of barbiturates, phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, rifampicin, isoniazid, zidovudine and other inducers of microsomal liver enzymes.

With long-term regular use of paracetamol, the anticoagulant effect of warfarin and other coumarins may be enhanced, and the risk of bleeding increases. A single use of paracetamol does not have a significant effect.

Metoclopramide increases the rate of absorption of paracetamol and reduces the time to reach its Cmax in the blood plasma. Likewise, domperidone may increase the rate of absorption of paracetamol.

Paracetamol may lead to an increase in T1/2 of chloramphenicol.

Paracetamol can reduce the bioavailability of lamotrigine, which may reduce the effectiveness of lamotrigine due to the induction of its metabolism in the liver.

Absorption of paracetamol may be reduced when used concomitantly with cholestyramine, but the reduction in absorption is not significant if cholestyramine is taken one hour later.

Regular use of paracetamol concomitantly with zidovudine may cause neutropenia and increase the risk of liver damage.

Probenecid affects the metabolism of paracetamol. In patients concomitantly using probenecid, the dose of paracetamol should be reduced.

The hepatotoxicity of paracetamol increases with prolonged excessive consumption of ethanol (alcohol).

Paracetamol may interfere with the results of the uric acid test using the phosphotungstate precipitating reagent.

Pheniramine

The effect of other substances on the central nervous system (for example, MAO inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, alcohol, antiparkinsonian drugs, barbiturates, tranquilizers and narcotic drugs) may be enhanced. Pheniramine may inhibit the action of anticoagulants.

Phenylephrine

Phenylephrine can potentiate the effect of MAO inhibitors and cause a hypertensive crisis.

Concomitant use of phenylephrine with other sympathomimetic drugs or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) may lead to an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular reactions.

Phenylephrine may reduce the effectiveness of beta blockers and other antihypertensive drugs (eg, debrisoquine, guanethidine, reserpine, methyldopa). There may be an increased risk of hypertension and other cardiovascular side effects.

Concomitant use of phenylephrine with digoxin and cardiac glycosides may increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias or myocardial infarction.

Concomitant use of phenylephrine with ergot alkaloids (ergotamine and methysergide) may increase the risk of ergotism.

When used simultaneously with barbiturates and primidone, the excretion of ascorbic acid in the urine increases.

Ascorbic acid

With simultaneous use of oral contraceptives, the concentration of ascorbic acid in the blood plasma decreases. It is possible to increase the concentration of ethinyl estradiol in the blood plasma when used simultaneously as part of oral contraceptives.

When used simultaneously with iron supplements, ascorbic acid, due to its restorative properties, converts ferric iron into divalent iron, which helps improve its absorption.

When used simultaneously with warfarin, the effects of warfarin may be reduced.

When used concomitantly, ascorbic acid increases iron excretion in patients receiving deferoxamine.

When used simultaneously with tetracycline, the excretion of ascorbic acid in the urine increases.