What you need to know before you take it

e Boots & Flu Relief Capsules, tell your doctor straight Max Strength Cold & Flu Relief Capsules away if: 3. How to take Boots Max Strength Cold & Flu

• you have severe illnesses, including severe renal Relief Capsules impairment or sepsis (when bacteria and their 4. Possible side effects toxins circulate in the blood leading to organ 5. How to store Boots Max Strength Cold & Flu damage), or you suffer from malnutrition, chronic Relief Capsules alcoholism or if you are also taking flucloxacillin 6. Contents of the pack and other information (an antibiotic). A serious condition called metabolic acidosis (a blood and fluid abnormality) 1. What is Boots Max Strength has been reported in patients in these situations Cold & Flu Relief Capsules and when paracetamol is used at regular doses for a what is it used for prolonged period or when paracetamol is taken together with flucloxacillin. Symptoms of This medicine contains: metabolic acidosis may include: serious breathing
• paracetamol which is a pain reliever (analgesic) difficulties with deep rapid breathing, drowsiness, and helps to reduce your temperature when you feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting). have a fever
• phenylephrine which is a decongestant to reduce Other medicines and Boots Max swelling in the passages of the nose to help you Strength Cold & Flu Relief Capsules breathe more easily Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking,
• caffeine which helps to increase the pain relief have recently taken or might take any other from paracetamol and makes you more alert. medicines These capsules are used for the relief of the
• medicines to treat high cholesterol levels which symptoms of colds and flu, including aches and reduce the amount of fat in the blood such as pains, sore throat, headache, fatigue (tiredness) colestyramine and drowsiness, nasal congestion (blocked nose)
• medicines to control feeling sick or being sick such and feverishness (high temperature). as metoclopramide or domperidone 2. What you need to know before • medicines called anti-coagulants, which are used to thin the blood such as warfarin or other you take Boots Max Strength coumarins – you may take occasional doses of Cold & Flu Relief Capsules paracetamol but should consult your doctor if you need to take it on a regular basis Do not take this medicine if you:
• barbiturates (for epilepsy or to help you sleep),
• are allergic to paracetamol, caffeine, phenylephrine or any of the other ingredients listed such as phenobarbitone
• medicines to treat migraines such as ergotamine in section 6 or methysergide
• are under 16 years of age
• medicines to lower blood pressure, treat heart or
• have a serious heart condition or cardiovascular circulatory problems such as beta blockers (for disorder(s) example atenolol) or vasodilators (for example
• have high blood pressure (hypertension) hydralazine)
• have a history of stomach ulcers
• other decongestant drugs such as ephedrine or
• have an overactive thyroid xylometazoline
• have an enlarged prostate
• flucloxacillin (antibiotic), due to a serious risk of
• are taking antidepressant drugs called blood and fluid abnormality (called metabolic monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI's), or have acidosis) that must have urgent treatment taken them within the last 14 days – these are (see section 2). medicines such as phenelzine and isocarboxazid

Boots Max Strength Cold & Flu Relief Capsules contains paracetamol. Do not take anything else containing paracetamol while taking this medicine. Boots Max Strength Cold & Flu Relief Capsules with food, drink and alcohol Do not drink alcohol (beer, wine, spirits etc) while taking this product. Information about some of the ingredients in this medicine This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per 2 capsules, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.

How to take it

Boots Max Strength Cold & Flu Relief Capsules Swallow the capsules whole with water. Do not chew.

Adults, the elderly and children aged 16 years and over:

Two capsules every 4 to 6 hours, as required. Do not take more than 8 capsules (4 doses) in any 24 hour period. Do not give to children under 16 years. Do not take for more than 3 days unless advised by your doctor. Do not take more medicine than the label tells you to. If you do not get better, talk to your doctor. Taking this medicine with food and drink: You should avoid too much caffeine in drinks like coffee and tea. If you are also consuming other medicines or food that contains caffeine (coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolate) you may have a high caffeine intake and might have difficulty sleeping, start shaking and/or have an uncomfortable feeling in the chest. Talk to a doctor at once if you take too much of this medicine even if you feel well. This is because too much paracetamol can cause delayed, serious liver damage. Go to your nearest hospital casualty department. Take your medicine and this leaflet with you.

4. Possible side effects

Most people do not have any side effects while taking this medicine. However, if you experience any of the following side effects, or anything else unusual happens, stop taking the medicine immediately, and see your doctor or pharmacist.

Frequency not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):

• bronchospasm
• restlessness, anxiety, nervousness, irritability, agitation
• a serious condition that can make blood more acidic (called metabolic acidosis), in patients with severe illness using paracetamol (see section 2).

• difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• fast, slow or irregular heart beat (palpitations)
• high blood pressure
• glaucoma
• problems or pain passing urine
• sudden weight loss, loss of appetite and yellowing of the eyes and skin.

More rarely, the following side effects can happen:

• you may become more prone to bleeding, bruising, fever and infections, such as sore throat and ulcers, due to changes in your blood. Very rare cases of serious skin reactions have been reported.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible

Possible side effects

not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

How to store it

Boots Max Strength Cold & Flu Relief Capsules

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack. Do not store above 25oC.

Contents of the pack and other information

Each red / yellow capsule contains the active ingredients: paracetamol 500 mg, caffeine 25 mg and phenylephrine hydrochloride 6.1 mg. The other ingredients are: maize starch, croscarmellose sodium, sodium laurilsulfate, magnesium stearate and talc. The capsule shell is made of gelatin and contains the colours: quinoline yellow (E104), titanium dioxide (E171), patent blue V (E131), erythrosine (E127). This product is available in a pack size of 16 capsules. Manufactured for The Boots Company PLC Nottingham NG2 3AA by the Marketing Authorisation holder Wrafton Laboratories Limited Braunton Devon EX33 2DL, UK PL 12063/0066 Text revised: January 2025 If you would like any further information about this medicine, please contact The Boots Company PLC Nottingham NG2 3AA.

Rare side effects are:

• allergic reactions such as skin rash
• nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting (being sick) or diarrhoea
• headache, tremor, dizziness

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