Night Nurse Capsules for Cold Relief - 10 Caps

Product Summary

Night Nurse Capsules have been specially formulated to provide a complete night-time cold and flu treatment by providing relief from major cold and flu symptoms such as:

• headaches
• runny nose and sore throat
• dry and tickly cough
• shivers, aches and pains.

Drowsiness is a side effect. However, it does aid a better night’s sleep when suffering from the above symptoms.

Comes in easy to swallow capsules

Directions

• Adults and children over 12: Take 2 capsules just before bedtime with a drink of water.
• Contains paracetamol. Taking too much paracetamol can cause serious harm to your liver.
• Do not take with other antihistamine-containing preparations, including topical antihistamines and cough and cold medicines.

Ingredients

• Active ingredient: Each capsule contains Paracetamol 500mg, Promethazine Hydrochloride 10mg, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide 7.5mg.
• Also contains Lactose, dimethicone, colloidal anhydrous silica, gelatin, and colours erythrosine (E127), patent blue V (E131), quinoline yellow (E104) and titanium dioxide (E171).

Warnings and Restrictions

• This medicine can lead to dependence. Therefore, the treatment should be of short duration.
• Contains paracetamol. Do not take anything else containing paracetamol within four hours of taking this product.
• Should not be used with other cough or cold medicines, or any other antihistamine-containing products, including those used on the skin.

Immediate medical advice should be sought in the event of an overdose, even if you feel well.

If your symptoms are accompanied by a high temperature, skin rash or persistent headache, see your doctor.

Alcohol and drowsiness

• Do not drink alcohol while using Night Nurse Capsules.
• Night-time capsules may cause drowsiness, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, movement difficulties or blurred vision. This can affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
• If affected, do not drive or operate machinery.
• Do not drive while taking this medicine until you know how it affects you.
• It may be an offence to drive when taking this medicine.
• However, you would not be committing an offence if the medicine has been taken to treat a medical or dental problem, and you have taken it according to the information provided with the medicine, and it was not affecting your ability to drive safely.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure whether it is safe for you to drive while taking this medicine.

Details regarding a new driving offence concerning driving after drugs have been taken in the UK may be found here: www.gov.uk/drug-driving-law

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• Do not take Night Nurse Capsules without medical advice if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• This medicine may affect pregnancy tests based on urine samples, giving false results.

Speak to your doctor before you take this medicine:

• if you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars
• if you have liver or kidney problems
• if you have glaucoma, epilepsy, difficulty passing urine, or prostate problems
• if you have a chronic or persistent cough accompanied by excessive phlegm or respiratory problems
• if you are elderly and suffer from confusion
• if you have a severe infection, are severely malnourished, severely underweight or are a chronic heavy alcohol user, as this may increase the risk of metabolic acidosis. Signs of metabolic acidosis include deep, rapid, difficult breathing, feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) and loss of appetite.
• if you are taking medicines such as certain antidepressants or antipsychotics, as Night Nurse may interact with these medicines and you may experience mental status changes e.g. agitation, hallucinations, coma
• if you experience other effects such as body temperature above 38°C, increase in heart rate, unstable blood pressure, exaggeration of reflexes, muscular rigidity, lack of coordination and/or gastrointestinal symptoms e.g nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea.

Contact a doctor immediately if you get any of the above symptoms.

Also speak to your doctor if:

• you have ever been addicted to opioids, alcohol, prescription medicines, or illegal drugs
• you have previously suffered from withdrawal symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, shaking or sweating when you have stopped taking alcohol or drugs.

Taking this medicine regularly, particularly for a long time, can lead to addiction.

Only use this medicine as described in the leaflet.

Addiction can cause withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking this medicine.

Withdrawal symptoms can include restlessness, difficulty sleeping, irritability, agitation, anxiety, feeling your heartbeat (palpitations), increased blood pressure, feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, shaking, shivering or sweating.

Speak to your doctor if you experience withdrawal symptoms.

Taking other medicines

Please talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking these capsules if you are taking any prescribed medicines, particularly:

• metoclopramide or domperidone (for nausea or vomiting)
• colestyramine (to lower blood cholesterol)
• medicines which give you blurred vision, a dry mouth or make you drowsy
• blood-thinning drugs (anticoagulants e.g. warfarin)
• quinidine or amiodarone (to control your heart rhythm)
• medicines for anxiety or depression e.g. selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or tricyclic antidepressant, or to help you sleep.

You should also tell your doctor or pharmacist:

• if you have abused drugs or other substances in the past
• if you have specific metabolism characteristics (slow metaboliser of CYP2D6).

Storage

• Do not store above 25°C.
• Do not take this medicine after the ‘EXP’ date shown on the pack.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

Pharmacist FAQs Answered

Can I take Night Nurse Capsules if I already take daytime cold medicines?

No, you shouldn't take Night Nurse Capsules if you are already taking other cold and flu medicines, especially those taken during the day that may contain the same ingredients like paracetamol or antihistamines. Taking both may lead to a harmful overdose, especially of paracetamol, which can severely damage your liver. Antihistamines in other medicines can also accumulate and increase your risk of side effects such as excessive drowsiness, confusion, dry mouth, or blurred vision. Always read the labels carefully and, if unsure, ask your pharmacist whether your other medicine is safe to take with Night Nurse. It's best to alternate treatments and ensure you're not doubling up on active ingredients.

How does Night Nurse help me sleep better when I'm ill?

Night Nurse contains an ingredient called promethazine hydrochloride, an antihistamine with sedating (sleep-inducing) qualities. This settles your system and helps you sleep despite having bothersome cold or flu symptoms like coughing, sore throat, or a runny nose. Proper sleep will help your immune system fight the infection better. However, since this drug can cause drowsiness that will persist into the next day, you should avoid activities that require full alertness, such as driving or using machinery, until you know its effects on you. It's better not to take this medicine just to get to sleep—only take it when symptoms interfere with your sleeping.

What are the risks of taking Night Nurse for several consecutive nights?

Night Nurse is only intended for short-term use. Taking it on a nightly basis for longer than a few nights carries severe health risks, such as dependence or liver damage, mainly as it contains paracetamol. If you take it for more than a couple of days, your body can start to rely on the sedating effects, and you're at higher risk of addiction. In addition, antihistamine and dextromethorphan use over the long term can worsen brain function, mood, and quality of sleep in the long term. If your symptoms are lasting more than 3–4 days or are worsening, it's preferable to discuss with your doctor rather than continuing to treat yourself. This assists in ensuring that any underlying illness is identified and treated accordingly.

Can children or teenagers take Night Nurse Capsules?

No, Night Nurse Capsules should not be given to children below 16 years of age unless recommended by a healthcare professional. The medication contains powerful ingredients that are too strong for teenagers and children, especially the sedative antihistamine and cough suppressant. Younger people are also more likely to experience side effects such as restlessness, confusion, or slow breathing. If your child or teenager has cold or flu symptoms, taking medicines specifically made for their age is safer. Always speak to your GP or pharmacist if unsure what medicine suits a young person.

Are Night Nurse Capsules suitable for use in other sleep disturbances?

No, Night Nurse is not to be used as a sleeping aid if you don't have flu and cold symptoms. As much as the sedative effect can make you sleep, using it for that alone is not appropriate and is not safe. It contains drugs like paracetamol and dextromethorphan for pain and cough relief—unneeded if you are not sick.

The best answer is No. Swallowing these extra ingredients can harm your liver or lead to dependence or side effects. If you cannot sleep and do not have a cold, consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice on safer, more appropriate sleeping remedies.

What if I forget to take Night Nurse at bedtime or miss a dose?

If you have forgotten to take Night Nurse Capsules before bed and there is still 6–8 hours' sleeping time left, you can take the dose later—but only if you have not taken any other medicine that already contains paracetamol or antihistamines. Do not take it in the middle of the night if you will not have time to sleep properly, as it may lead to drowsiness or sickness the next day. If it is already daytime or you are uncertain, skip the dose and take it the next evening if needed. Do not double the dosage to make up for a missed dose.

Can I take Night Nurse if I have an underlying medical condition?

It depends on the condition. People who have liver or kidney disease, epilepsy, prostate issues, glaucoma, or are malnourished or have a history of alcohol dependence should speak with a doctor or pharmacist before taking Night Nurse. Some active ingredients can worsen these conditions or interact with medicines you are already on. Night Nurse can also work differently in older people or those with mental health problems, which makes confusion or sedation more likely. Always read the leaflet carefully and talk to your pharmacist if you have any health concerns before starting this medicine.