Daytime Cold and flu how often to take

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

Medicines like pain relievers and cold and flu products may contain the same active ingredients. It’s important to read the label and take ONLY 1 medicine containing the active ingredients at a time. Please retain the original packaging.

Last Updated: June 30, 2022

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

Medicines like pain relievers and cold and flu products may contain the same active ingredients. It’s important to read the label and take ONLY 1 medicine containing the active ingredients at a time. Please retain the original packaging.

Last Updated: June 30, 2022

Compare to the active ingredients in Vick® DayQuil® Cold & Flu LiquiCaps®†

Cold/Flu

Non-Drowsy

Daytime

Multi-Symptom Cold/Flu Relief

ACETAMINOPHEN - Pain reliever; fever reducer

DEXTROMETHORPHAN  HBr - Cough Suppressant

PHENYLEPHRINE HCL - Nasal Decongestant

Relieves:

Aching & fever, sore throat, coughing, and congested-stuffy head so you can get through the day

Alcohol free

Antihistamine free

SOFTGELS**

(**LIQUID-FILLED CAPSULES)

†This product is not manufactured or distributed by the Procter & Gamble Company. Vicks®, Dayquil®, and LiquiCaps® are registered trademarks of The Procter & Gamble Company.

TAMPER EVIDENT: DO NOT USE IF CARTON IS OPENED OR IF BLISTER UNIT IS TORN, BROKEN OR SHOWING ANY SIGNS OF TAMPERING

KEEP OUTER CARTON FOR COMPLETE WARNINGS AND PRODUCT INFORMATION

Distributed by: CVS Pharmacy, Inc

One CVS Drive, Woonsocket, RI 02895

CVS.com

1-800-SHOP-CVS

Liver warning: This product contains acetaminophen. Severe liver damage may occur if you take:

• adult take more than 4 doses (30 mL each) in 24 hours, which is the maximum daily amount
• child take more than 4 doses (15 mL each) in 24 hours
• take with other drugs containing acetaminophen
• adult has 3 or more alcoholic drinks everyday while using this product

Allery alert: Acetaminophen may cause severe skin reactions. Symptoms may include:

• skin reddening
• blisters
• rash

If a skin reaction occurs, stop use and seek medical help right away

Sore throat warning: If sore throat is severe, persists for more than 2 days, is accompanied or followed by fever, headache, rash, nausea, or vomiting, consult a doctor promptly.

Do not use

• if you are now taking a prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (certain drugs for depression, psychiatric, or emotional conditions, or Parkinson's disease) or for 2 weeks after stopping the MAOI drug. If you do not know if your prescription drug contains an MAOI, ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.
• with any other drug containing acetaminophen (prescription or non-prescription). If you are not sure whether a drug contains acetaminophen, ask a doctor or pharmacist.

Ask a doctor before use if the user has

• liver disease
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• thyroid disease
• diabetes
• a sodium-restricted diet
• persistent or chronic cough such as occurs with smoking, asthma or emphysema
• cough accompanied by excessive phlegm (mucus)
• trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if the user is

taking the blood thinning drug warfarin.

When using this product,

do not exceed recommended dosage.

Stop use and ask a doctor if

• redness or swelling is present
• new symptoms occur
• nervousness, dizziness or sleeplessness occurs
• fever gets worse or lasts more than 3 days
• pain, nasal congestion or cough gets worse or lasts more than 5 days (children) or 7 days (adults)
• cough comes back or occurs, with rash or headache that lasts.

These could be signs of a serious condition.

If pregnant or breast-feeding,

ask a health professional before use.

Keep out of reach of children.

Overdose warning: Taking more than the recommended dose (overdose) may cause liver damage. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) right away. Quick medical attention is critical for adults as well as for children even if you do not notice any signs or symptoms.

On this page

• Over-the-counter medicines
• Paracetamol for pain and fever
• Ibuprofen for pain and fever
• Decongestants and saline nasal sprays or drops to relieve a blocked nose
• Combination ‘cough and cold’ medicines
• Complementary medicines
• Antiviral medications
• Antibiotics
• Related information on Australian websites

Colds and flu symptoms can be very similar to the symptoms of COVID-19. Even if your symptoms are mild, get tested for COVID-19 immediately — use the colds and flu Symptom Checker if you're not sure what to do.

Over-the-counter medicines

There are a number of over-the-counter medicines that might help relieve cold and flu symptoms. These include:

Paracetamol for pain and fever

Paracetamol can be used for adults and children over 1 month for pain and symptoms of fever. Make sure you’ve got the right strength for your child’s age and weight as overdosing can be dangerous.

Read and follow the directions on the label carefully. If you are not sure check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Ibuprofen for pain and fever

Ibuprofen can be given for pain and symptoms of fever in adults and children of 3 months and over, according to their weight. Make sure you’ve got the right strength for your child’s age and weight as overdosing can be dangerous.

Read and follow the directions on the label carefully. If you are not sure check with your doctor or pharmacist. Avoid ibuprofen if your child has asthma, unless advised by your doctor.

Decongestants and saline nasal sprays or drops to relieve a blocked nose

Nasal decongestants and saline (salt water) nasal sprays can help to relieve a blocked nose, but should not be used for more than 4 or 5 days in a row.

Decongestants containing pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, oxymetazoline or xylometazoline must not be used in children younger than 6 years. Use salt water (saline) nasal sprays or drops instead of a nasal decongestant for these children. Before using a decongestant, check with your doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you or your child.

Combination ‘cough and cold’ medicines

Cough and cold medicines are often used for symptom relief however it’s important to know there is not enough evidence showing they work well, particularly in children.

Cough and cold medicines should not be given to children under 6. You should ask a doctor, pharmacist or nurse practitioner for advice before giving cough and cold medicines to children aged 6 to 11 years.

Cough and cold medicines often contain paracetamol, so it is important to check the label to avoid ‘doubling up’ and taking other medicines that also contain paracetamol.

Complementary medicines

Some people find vitamins (for example vitamin C), mineral supplements (for example zinc) or herbal medicines (for example echinacea) helpful. However, there is not enough evidence to show they are effective in helping to treat or prevent colds and flu.

Antiviral medications

If you are likely to suffer complications from the flu, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medication. These medicines won’t cure the flu, but if they are taken within 48 hours of symptoms they can help to:

• reduce the length of time you are ill by around one day
• relieve some of the symptoms
• reduce the potential for serious complications

They do this by stopping the virus from multiplying in your body. Talk to your doctor to see if antiviral medications are right for you.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics won’t help the symptoms of a cold or flu or stop them from spreading to other people. This is because they are viral infections and antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections.

Some people occasionally can get a bacterial infection as a complication of a cold or flu. This kind of infection is not common and most people will get better by themselves without antibiotics. If you are at more risk of complications or may get very sick, then your doctor may give you antibiotics. Talk to your doctor to see if antibiotics are right for you.

For advice on medicines call the NPS MedicineWise information line on 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424).

Learn about some other things you can do to relieve cold or flu symptoms.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the colds and flu Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

You can also see a doctor if you are concerned about your symptoms. If you would like to speak to a registered nurse, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria).

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