Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Care Echinacea Cold & Flu Relief Tablets
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Echinacea purpurea may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
FOR Care Echinacea Cold and Flu Relief Tablets are a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms of the common cold and influenza type infections based on traditional use only. Each tablet contains 70mg of extract (as dry extract) from Echinacea purpurea root equivalent to 460 – 530mg of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench root. Extraction solvent: ethanol 30% v/v.
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Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you. Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
- You must talk to a doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after 10 days.
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Care Echinacea Cold and Flu Relief Tablets Echinacea purpurea root extract 70mg
This leaflet was last revised in November 2017. For a large print, braille or audio version of this leaflet please call 01484 848164
20201901
PCP Header Box Operator
Approved by Date
GKE
Artwork No. 901063 CRN
13874 (Ref 13873 30's) Suffix
Reason for Change
New product introduction
C
Issued by Date MHRA/IMB submission required
Yes
10pt 9pt Arial MT
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10pt
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160 x 256mm
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Date
30.10.2017
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30's/90's
How to take it
CARE ECHINACEA TABLETS
Adults, Elderly and Children over 12 years: Take 1 tablet 3 times a day. Start at the first signs of a common cold. Do not use for more than 10 days. Do not take more than the label tells you to. See your doctor or qualified healthcare practitioner if your condition worsens, you get a high fever while using this product or symptoms persist for more than 10 days.
PCP Header Box Operator
Approved by Date
GKE
Artwork No. 901063 CRN
13874 (Ref 13873 30's) Suffix
Reason for Change
New product introduction
C
Issued by Date MHRA/IMB submission required
Yes
9pt
10pt
10pt 9pt
30.10.2017 30's/90's
20201901
160 x 256mm
6
Pack Size
IG Code
Dimensions
Proof No.
Date
Leaflet
Point Sizes Used Min Max
Component
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Care Echinacea Cold & Flu Relief Tablets
BEFORE YOU TAKE CARE ECHINACEA TABLETS This product is not suitable for children under 12 years of age. Do not take this product:
- if you are allergic to Echinacea, other members of the same plant family (Asteraceae compositae, such as daisies, marigolds or artichokes) or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
- if you suffer frequent allergic reactions such as hives (urticaria), eczema, asthma.
- if you have tuberculosis.
- if you have a connective tissue disease with formation of clumps of cells (sarcoidosis) mainly occurring in the lymph nodes, lungs and liver.
- if you have an auto-immune disease such as inflammation of the connective tissue (collagenosis) or multiple sclerosis.
- if you have a condition which decreases your natural response to infection (eg HIV infection or AIDS).
- if you are on therapy to reduce your natural response to infection (immunosuppression eg: chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer; history of organ or bone marrow transplant).
- if you have a blood disorder involving the white blood cell system such as low white cell count due to bone marrow disorders (agranulocytosis) or blood cell cancer (leukemias).
- if you are already taking immunosuppressant medication such as ciclosporin or MHRAmethotrexate. Header Box Warnings and precautions: Fonts Used Care Echinacea Cold & Flu Relief Tablets Colours Used Consult Product Titleyour doctor before taking this product: if you are prone to develop allergic reactions. Echinacea can trigger severe Arial andMT life Process Black threatening allergic reactions in patients who have a tendency to allergic reactions. Component Taking otherLeaflet medicines. Please doctor or pharmacist if you are taking medicines obtained without a prescription. Pack Size tell your 30's/90's Do not take this product if you are already taking immunosuppressant medication such as IGciclosporin Code or20201901 methotrexate. Pregnancy and breastfeeding. 160 x 256mm Dimensions Do not take this product if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, because there is no evidence thatNo. it is safe6to do so. Date Proof 30.10.2017
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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.
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Not suitable for children under the age of 12 years. If you take more of this product than you should If you have taken more than you should and feel unwell, talk to a doctor or qualified healthcare practitioner as soon as possible. If you forget to take this product Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Take the next dose when it becomes due. If you stop taking this product. There are no reported adverse effects associated with stopping this product, however if you feel unwell talk to a doctor or qualified healthcare practitioner as soon as possible.
How to store it
CARE ECHINACEA TABLETS Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not store above 25°C. Do not use this product after the expiry date which is stated on the side of the label. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment.
Care Echinacea Cold & Flu Relief Tablets
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POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS Like all medicines, this product can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The frequency of the side effects is not known. The possible side effects include:
- allergic reactions such as swelling, hives, or rashes.
- swelling of the skin due to fluid.
- swelling of the facial area (Quinke's oedema).
- shrinking of the airways of the lungs with obstruction (bronchospasm).
- asthma and life threatening reactions (anaphalactic shock). Echinacea can trigger allergic reactions in patients who have a tendency to allergic reactions. Association with auto-immune diseases has been reported such as:
- inflammation of the brain and spinal chord (disseminated encephalitis).
- painful lumps on the shins (erythema nodosum).
- low blood platelet count (immunothrombocytopenia).
- destruction of blood cells by antibodies (Evans Syndrome).
- dryness in the mouth and eye with kidney tubular dysfunction (Sjogren Syndrome). A decrease in the number of white blood cells (leucopenia) may occur in long term use (more than 8 weeks). Stop taking the product immediately if you experience any allergic reaction. If you are concerned about any side effect, if a side effect becomes serious, or if you notice a side effect not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor, or healthcare practitioner. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any
Contents of the pack and other information
What Care Echinacea Tablets contain
- Each tablet contains 70mg of extract (as dry extract from Echinacea purpurea root MHRAequivalent Header Box to 460-530mg of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench root. Extraction solvent: Ethanol 30% v/v. Used Fonts Used Echinaceaare; Cold maltodextrin; & Flu Relief Tablets
- The otherCare ingredients silicaColours colloidal hydrated; calcium hydrogen Product Title phosphate dihydrate; cellulose microcrystalline; crosscarmellose sodium; magnesium Arial MT Process Black stearate. Component Leaflet What Care Echinacea Tablets look like and contents of the pack Care Echinacea Cold and Flu Relief Tablets are beige, round, convex, uncoated tablets. Pack Size 30's/90's Do not use this product if you notice any unusual discolouring or softening of the tablets as that they have deteriorated. IGthis Codemay mean 20201901 This product is available in packs of 30, 60, 90 and 120 tablets (not all sizes may be marketed). 160 x 256mm Dimensions Registration number: THR 33336/0002 Traditional Herbal Registration Holder and Manufacturer: Proof No. Date 30.10.2017 6 Natures Aid Ltd, St Georges Park, Preston, Lancs., PR4 2DQ, UK. Distributed by: Thornton & Ross Ltd., Huddersfield, HD7 5QH, UK.
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Frequently asked questions about Care Echinacea Cold & Flu Relief Tablets
How do I take Care Echinacea Cold & Flu Relief Tablets?
Care Echinacea Cold & Flu Relief Tablets comes as tablet. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Care Echinacea Cold & Flu Relief Tablets?
The active substance in Care Echinacea Cold & Flu Relief Tablets is echinacea purpurea.
Are there equivalent medicines to Care Echinacea Cold & Flu Relief Tablets?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Boots Cold & Flu Relief Echinacea Effervescent Tablets, Boots Echinacea Tablets, Boots Max Strength Echinacea Cold and Flu Relief Tablets. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Care Echinacea Cold & Flu Relief Tablets, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Care Echinacea Cold & Flu Relief Tablets without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: echinacea purpurea
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
A traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms of the common cold and influenza type infections based on traditional use only.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
For oral administration.
Adults, elderly and children over 12 years: take one tablet three times a day.
This product is not intended for children below 12 years.
Start at first signs of common cold. Do not use the medicinal product for more than 10 days.
If symptoms worsen during the use of the product or persist for more than 10 days, a doctor or a qualified healthcare practitionershould be consulted.
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.: collagenoses, multiple sclerosis), immunodeficiencies (e.g.:HIV infection; AIDS), immunosuppression (e.g.: oncological cytostatic therapy; history of organ or bone marrow transplant), and diseases of the white blood cell system (e.g.: agranulocytosis, leukemias) allergic diathesis (e.g.: urticaria, atopic dermatitis, asthma).
Children under 12 years of age
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Do not exceed the stated dose.
If the condition worsens, 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.
This formulation is not suitable for children under 12 years of age.
Keep out of the sight and reach of children
There is a possible risk of anaphylactic reactions in atopic patients. Atopic 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. Pregnancy and lactation
In the absence of sufficient data the use in 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.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed.
4.8. Undesirable effects
Hypersensitivity reactions (rash, urticaria, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, angioedema of the skin, Quincke edema, bronchospasm with obstruction, asthma and anaphylactic shock) may occur.
Echinacea can trigger allergic reactions in atopic patients. Association with autoimmune diseases (encephalitis disseminata, erythema nodosum, immunothrombocytopenia, Evans Syndrome, Sjögren 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 a 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 of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions 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.
4.9. Overdose
No case of overdose has been reported.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Care Echinacea Cold & Flu Relief Tablets. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.