Brand name:
Pronounced: AL-kah SELL-tser
Generic ingredients: Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan hydrobromide, Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
Other brand names: Dimetapp Non-Drowsy Flu Syrup, Robitussin Multi Symptom Honey Flu
Alka-Seltzer Plus Flu Medicine Liqui-gels provide temporary relief from fever, headache, body aches, sore throat, cough, and stuffy nose and sinuses. The product can be taken during the daytime because it does not contain an antihistamine, and therefore will not cause drowsiness. Antihistamines are sometimes included in cold products to fight sneezing and runny nose.
The Dimetapp and Robitussin products contain the same active ingredients in a liquid form.
Doses can be repeated every 4 hours, up to a maximum of 4 doses a day. The Liqui-gels must be swallowed with water.
* ALKA-SELZTER PLUS FLU MEDICINE LIQUI-GELS
Adults
The usual dose is 2 pills.
Children
For children 6 to 12, the usual dose is 1 pill. For children
under 6, consult your doctor.
* DIMETAPP NON-DROWSY FLU SYRUP
Adults
The usual dose is 4 teaspoonfuls.
Children
For children 6 to 12, the usual dose is 2 teaspoonfuls; for
children 2 to 6, it is 1 teaspoonful. For children under 2, check
with your doctor.
* ROBITUSSIN MULTI SYMPTOM HONEY FLU
Adults
The usual dose is 3 teaspoonfuls.
Children
This product is not recommended for children under 12.
Unless your doctor approves, do not take these products if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, or an enlarged prostate gland.
Also check with your doctor before using these products for the type of chronic cough that results from smoking, asthma, or emphysema, or for a cough that brings up lots of phlegm.
If you consume 3 or more alcoholic drinks per day, check with your doctor before using these products. The acetaminophen they contain can damage the liver.
If you become dizzy or nervous, or have trouble sleeping, stop taking the product and check with your doctor.
Also stop and check if symptoms last more than 7 days (5 for children), are accompanied by fever for more than 3 days, get worse, or include redness and swelling. Check, too, if you develop new symptoms, or if your cough doesn't improve within 7 days, tends to come back, or is accompanied by fever, rash, or lasting headache. A lingering cough could signal a serious condition.
Call your doctor immediately if you have a severe sore throat for more than 2 days, accompanied or followed by fever, headache, rash, nausea, or vomiting.
Do not use these products within 2 weeks of taking a drug classified as an MAO inhibitor, such as the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate. Do not combine these products with others that contain acetaminophen, such as the Tylenol line of remedies.