Brand name:
Pronounced: THAIR-uh-flew
Generic ingredients: Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine maleate (Night Time Medicine only), Dextromethorphan hydrobromide, Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
TheraFlu Severe Cold & Congestion products relieve the headache, body aches, minor sore throat pain, and fever that accompany colds and flu. They also unclog stuffy nose and sinuses, and relieve coughs due to minor throat and bronchial irritation. In addition, the Night Time formula contains an antihistamine that combats runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose and throat, and itchy, watery eyes.
Both the daytime Non-Drowsy formula and the Night Time product come in caplets and a powder form, packaged in foil packets, for making hot liquid medicine.
For adults and children 12 years and over, the usual dosage is 1 packet or 2 caplets every 6 hours. Dissolve the powder in 6 ounces of hot water and sip while hot. Do not take more than 4 doses a day. For children under 12, consult your doctor.
Unless your doctor approves, do not use these products if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate gland, or a breathing problem such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis. In addition, avoid the Night Time product if you have high pressure within the eye (glaucoma).
Also check with your doctor before using these products for the type of chronic cough that results from smoking or asthma, or for a cough that brings up lots of phlegm.
If you become dizzy or nervous, or have trouble sleeping, stop taking these products and check with your doctor.
Do not take these products for more than 10 days for pain or 3 days for fever without your doctor's approval. If your pain or fever won't go away or gets worse, or if you develop new symptoms or notice any redness or swelling, check with your doctor; you might have a serious condition.
You should also check with your doctor immediately if you have a severe sore throat that lasts for more than 2 days and is accompanied or followed by fever, headache, rash, nausea, or vomiting.
Likewise, call your doctor if you have a cough that lasts for more than 7 days or tends to come back, or a cough accompanied by rash, lasting headache, and fever. A lingering cough could signal a serious condition.
The Night Time formula may cause drowsiness. Be especially cautious when driving, and when operating machinery. This formulation can also cause excitability, especially in children.
Check with your doctor about using these products if you consume 3 or more alcoholic drinks a day. The acetaminophen they contain can cause liver damage.
If you must avoid phenylalanine, do not use the powder form of these products, which contains this substance.
Do not use these products within 2 weeks of taking a drug classified as an MAO inhibitor, such as the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate.
If you are taking a tranquilizer such as Valium or Xanax, or a sleep aid such as Halcion or Seconal, do not take the Night Time formulation without your doctor's approval; the combination could cause extreme drowsiness. For the same reason, avoid alcohol while taking this formulation.