Flu: Best Home Remedies and Natural Treatments to Relieve Symptoms

Anger As Popular Cold And Flu Medicines Are Withdrawn

BUYERS are racing to stock up after some of the biggest cold and flu treatments - including Day Nurse, Covonia Dry Cough and Boots Cold & Flu Relief Oral Solution - were withdrawn over safety fears

Officials are recalling a number of treatments containing the cough suppressant pholcodine.

A rare side effect has been identified among people who take the medicines up to a year before going under general anaesthetic with a neuromuscular blocking agent.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said that, based on advice from the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM), the advisory body that provides expert advice on drug safety, it was recalling the products "as a precaution".

Patients who are taking cough medicine have been advised to check whether pholcodine is a listed ingredient.

It said that post-marketing safety data identified evidence that people who had taken the cough medicines were at an increased risk of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) when given general anaesthesia with neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA).

NMBAs are thought to be involved in about half of general anaesthetics given in the UK.

The European Medicines Agency recommended the withdrawal of pholcodine medicines from the European market in December last year.

In the UK recall notice, the MHRA said: "The available data has demonstrated that pholcodine use, particularly in the 12 months before general anaesthesia with NMBAs, is a risk factor for developing an anaphylactic reaction to NMBAs."

It added: "Given the advice of the CHM and the lack of identifiable effective measures to minimise the increased risk of anaphylactic reactions to NMBAs, pholcodine-containing medicines are being withdrawn from the UK market and will therefore no longer be available in pharmacies."

The MHRA said that all pholcodine-containing medicines are "pharmacy-only medicines" which means they will have only been sold or dispensed under the supervision of a suitably trained healthcare professional.

Healthcare workers have been told to stop supplying the products "immediately" and "quarantine all remaining stock".

But some Brits haven't taken the ban lying down.

One tweeted: 'What, always take night nurse! Never had a problem! Need to stock up!!'

Another branded the decision 'outrageous'.

Meanwhile, they have also been advised to check whether patients who are scheduled to undergo general anaesthesia with NMBAs have used pholcodine in the previous 12 months.

Patients have been told to check their medicines and talk to a pharmacists if they have concerns or want an alternative treatment.

Surgical patients are being advised to tell their anaesthetist before an operation if they think they have taken pholcodine in the last year, or if they think they have taken one of the withdrawn medicines.

Professor Claire Anderson, president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said: "All products containing the cough suppressant pholcodine have been withdrawn due to concerns of its potential to cause a severe allergic reaction in some people having general anaesthesia for surgery.

"If you are taking a cough medicine (including tablets and syrups), check the packaging, label or patient information leaflet to see if pholcodine is a listed ingredient – if it is, and you have any questions, you can talk to your pharmacist who can suggest a different medicine suitable for you.

"The risk to patients who have used pholcodine is very small. If you are due to have surgery, please speak to your pharmacist or medical team for advice.

"A cough usually clears up within 3-4 weeks. You can treat it with other cough medicines or hot lemon and honey (not suitable for babies under 1 year old).

"Rest up if possible and you can try paracetamol or ibuprofen, if suitable, to treat any pain. If your cough persists for longer than 3-4 weeks seek advice from a healthcare professional.

"This withdrawal is needed as safety of patients is paramount and we support efforts to ensure that all medicines on the market are safe and effective."

The medicines listed by the MHRA as being recalled are:

The Boots Company PLC

– Boots Night Cough Relief Oral Solution, PL 00014/0230

– Boots Dry Cough Syrup 6 Years+, PL 00014/0523

– Boots Day Cold & Flu Relief Oral Solution, PL 00014/0565

Thornton & Ross Limited

– Cofsed Linctus, PL 00240/0097

– Care Pholcodine 5mg/5ml Oral Solution Sugar Free, PL 00240/0101

– Galenphol Linctus, PL 00240/0101

– Galenphol Paediatric Linctus, PL 00240/0102

– Galenphol Strong Linctus, PL 00240/0103

– Covonia Dry Cough Sugar Free Formula, PL 00240/0353

Bell Sons & Company (Druggists) Limited

– Pholcodine Linctus Bells Healthcare 5mg Per 5ml Oral Solution, PL 03105/0059

– Numark Pholcodine 5mg per 5ml Oral Solution, PL 03105/0059

– Well Pharmaceuticals Pholcodine 5mg per 5ml Oral Solution, PL 03105/0059

– Superdrug Pholcodine Linctus BP, PL 03105/0059

– Strong Pholcodine Linctus BP, PL 03105/0060

Pinewood Laboratories Limited

– Pholcodine Linctus BP, PL 04917/0002

– Strong Pholcodine Linctus BP, PL 04917/0005

LCM Limited

– Pholcodine Linctus, PL 12965/0030

Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare (UK) Trading Limited

– Day & Night Nurse Capsules, PL 44673/0068

– Day Nurse Capsules, PL 44673/0069

– Day Nurse, PL 44673/0075

Dollar General Corp DG

With over 20,000 locations, Dollar General's banner is nearly ubiquitous across the rural United States. Dollar General serves as a convenient shopping destination for fill-in store trips, with its value proposition most relevant to consumers in small communities with a dearth of shopping options. The retailer operates a frugal store of about 7,500 square feet and primarily offers an assortment of branded and private-label consumable items (80% of net sales) such as paper and cleaning products, packaged and perishable food, tobacco, and health and beauty items at low prices. Dollar General also offers a limited assortment of seasonal merchandise, home products, and apparel. The firm sells most items at a price point of $10 or lower.

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Tips For Feeling Better While Under The Weather

There is no known cure for the common cold or influenza, although researchers keep looking for one. Most colds will last 7-9 days and most bouts of the flu 2-3 days with or without treatment, but there are things you can do to feel better while it lasts.

General tips

• Get plenty of rest -- as much as 12 hours or more a night.

• Drink liquids -- to keep mucus thin and easy to clear.

• Over the counter drugs offer relief for nasal congestion, fever, muscle aches and sore throat. Never give aspirin to a child younger than 16 without a doctor's advice, and don't give cold medications to children less than 6 years old.

Congestion

• Decongestants are alright for temporary relief of a stuffy nose, but should not be used for more than five days since the body may fight back by producing even more mucus. Consult a doctor before taking a decongestant containing pseudoephedrine if you have diabetes or heart, blood pressure, prostate or thyroid problems.

Fever

• Over-the counter analgesics such as aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen may offer relief, but may also prevent your body from generating the heat it needs to fight a cold or flu virus. Consult your doctor if your fever lasts for more than three days or your fever is greater than 103° F.

Cough

• Over-the-counter cough suppressants offer temporary relief, but suppressing cough is not always a good idea since it is the body's way of clearing breathing passages.

• Drink fluids

• Sleeping with your head elevated six to eight inches above your feet may reduce nighttime coughing.

Sore throat

• Get plenty of rest

• Gargle with warm salt water - mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Warm water gargles made with chamomile tea, fresh lemon or apple cider vinegar may also offer relief.

• Soothe the throat with cough drops, hard candy or sugarless gum. These stimulate secretion of saliva, which bathes and cleanses the throat.

• Rest your voice -- If your sore throat involves an inflamed larynx, talking a lot may lead to more irritation and temporary loss of your voice.

• Humidify the air -- Adding moisture to the air prevents irritation caused by dry mucous membranes. Saline nasal sprays also help.

• Avoid air pollutants -- Avoid smoking and smoke-filled rooms, and fumes from household cleaners or paint.

Note: See a doctor if you were exposed to strep or have any of these symptoms: fever, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, swollen neck glands, difficulty breathing or swallowing, tonsils with pus, or severe pain that doesn't improve in a few days.

This information constitutes general medical information and is not intended as medical advice in any particular case. Please consult a physician as appropriate.

Sources: Mayo Health Oasis, The Medical Advisor (Time-Life Books, 1996)

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