Taking EchinaCold Tablets

What this product is and what it is used for

This product is a traditional herbal medicinal product containing an extract of Echinacea purpurea root. Each film-coated tablet contains 40 mg of extract (as dry extract) (6.5 :1) equivalent to 260 mg Echinacea purpurea root (Echinacea purpurea L. Moench). Extraction solvent: Ethanol 45% V/V.

EchinaCold Echinacea Cold & Flu Relief tablets is a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms of the common cold and influenza type infections. This usage is based on traditional use only.

Before you take this product

DO NOT TAKE this product if you:

  • Are allergic to any of the ingredients or to plants of the Asteraceae/ Compositae family such as daisies, marigolds or artichokes (see section 6)
  • Have a tendency to allergies such as hives, allergic eczema or asthma Are lactose intolerant (react badly to lactose or milk)
  • Are intolerant to some sugars – this product contains lactose monohydrate, glucose and sorbitol
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding Suffer from the infection tuberculosis
  • Suffer from connective tissue disease such as sarcoidosis Suffer from autoimmune diseases such as inflammation of the connective tissue (collagenoses) or multiple sclerosis
  • Suffer from conditions which reduce your immunity to infection such as HIV
  • Are on therapy which reduces your resistance to infection in conditions such as cancer or radiotherapy, history of organ or bone marrow transplant
  • Suffer from blood disorders involving the white blood cells count due to bone marrow disorders (agranulocytosis) or leukaemia
  • Are taking immunosuppressant medicines such as ciclosporin or methotrexa

TAKE SPECIAL CARE with this product

Do not exceed the stated dose

If you are prone to allergies, there is a risk of developing serious allergic reactions to Echinacea e.g. anaphylactic reactions

Taking Echinacea containing products may trigger autoimmune diseases

How to take this product

Adults, elderly and children over 12 Take 2 – 3 tablets 3 times daily.

Chew the tablet or swallow it whole with water. Start taking at the first sign of cold or flu. Do not take for longer than 10 days. This product is not suitable for children under the age of 12 years.

If you take too much of this product (overdose)

If you take more than the recommended dose, speak to a doctor, pharmacist or qualified healthcare practitioner and take this leaflet with you. Because of the sugar content taking too much of this product may cause diarrhoea.

If you forget to take this product

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. It doesn’t matter if you miss a dose.

If you have any questions, or are unsure about anything, please ask your doctor, pharmacist or qualified healthcare practitioner.

Possible side-effects

Like all medicines, Echinacold Echinacea Cold & Flu Relief tablets can have side-effects, although not everyone gets them. Stop taking EchinaCold Echinacea Cold & Flu Relief and check with your doctor, pharmacist or qualified healthcare practitioner if any of the following side-effects occur:

Allergic (hypersensitive) reactions such as:

  • Rash
  • Hives
  • Inflammatory disorder of the skin (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome)
  • Swelling of the skin due to fluid
  • Swelling of the facial area (Quincke’s oedema)
  • Shrinking of the airways in the lungs with obstruction (bronchospasm)
  • Asthma and life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylactic shock).

Echinacea can trigger allergic reactions in patients who have a tendency to develop allergic conditions Association with autoimmune diseases has been reported such as:

  • Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord (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 eyes with renal tubular dysfunction (Sjögren Syndrome)

A decrease in the number of white blood cells (leucopenia) may occur in long-term use (more than 8 weeks). The frequency is not known.

After taking this product

You must see your doctor or a qualified healthcare practitioner if your symptoms worsen, if you experience a high fever or your symptoms persist after 10 days.

If any of these side-effects become troublesome, or if you notice side-effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor, pharmacist or qualified healthcare practitioner.

You can help to make medicines safer by reporting any side-effects to the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. Alternatively you can get a paper Yellow Card form from your GP’s surgery or pharmacy, or call Freephone 0808 11 3352 (available 10am – 2pm Monday – Friday).

How to store this product

Do not use your tablets after the expiry date.

Return any out-of-date tablets to your pharmacist who will dispose of them for you.

The expiry date is printed on the box and the blister pack.

Store the tablets in a cool dry place. Do not store the tablets in a place where the temperature goes above 25 C.

Keep the tablets out of the reach and sight of children.

Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them.

Further information

Each film-coated tablet contains 40 mg of extract (as dry extract) (6.5 :1) equivalent to 260 mg Echinacea purpurea root (Echinacea purpurea L. Moench). Extraction solvent: Ethanol 45% V/V.

This product also contains the following ingredients: Liquorice extract, menthol, hydrated dextrate, sorbitol, talc, microcrystalline cellulose, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, eucalyptus oil, anise oil, fennel oil, clove oil, lactose monohydrate, cellulose, colloidal anhydrous silica dioxide.

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this product.

Each film-coated tablet contains 7 mg of lactose monohydrate.

Each pack contains 40 film-coated tablets.

Registration holder for this product

Pharbio Medical International AB, Box 715, SE 194 27 Upplands, Väsby, Sweden

Manufacturer for this product

Cederroth International Production Paramedical A/S, Vassingerødvej 3-7, DK-3540 Lynge, Denmark.

Distributed in the UK by:

Schwabe Pharma (UK) Ltd
Alexander House, Mere Park,
Dedmere Road,
Marlow, Bucks SL7 1PD
Telephone: 01628 401980 Email: info@schwabepharma.co.uk

Traditional herbal registration number: THR 15525/0009

If you would like further information about  this product, please contact the UK distributor:

Schwabe Pharma (UK) Ltd
Alexander House, Mere Park, Dedmere Road, Marlow, Bucks SL7 1FX
Telephone: 01628 401 980
Email:info@schwabepharma.co.uk

This leaflet was revised 09/2012

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