The drug Coldact Flu Plus represents a pharmacological group of drugs for the symptomatic treatment of influenza and other acute respiratory viral diseases. It is available in the dosage form of capsules and suspension for oral administration. The drug is used for adults and children over 6 (for suspension) or 12 (for capsules) years. Contraindicated for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as in the presence of certain concomitant pathologies.
Release form, composition and packaging
In pharmacies, Coldact Flu Plus is offered for purchase in two special forms. Long-acting tablets and suspension are available. The concentration of active substances depends on the type of product. The syrup is intended for oral administration, has a slight odor, and the color is deep orange. The package contains a measuring spoon, standard instructions and a bottle of the drug, the volume of which is 60 milliliters.
The medicine includes:
- paracetamol;
- phenylephrine hydrochloride;
- chlorphenamine myleate;
- talc;
- hypromellose;
- povidone;
- diethyl phalate;
- isopropanol
- Also included are water, sweetener, coloring and granulated sugar.
The capsules are dense, with a colored cap (usually red) and a transparent body. The core contains yellow, white, red and orange granules. The pack contains from one to ten blisters, each of which contains ten tablets. The product in this form has no taste or smell.
Coldact Flu Plus
Coldact Flu Plus (paracetamol + phenylephrine + chlorphenamine) is a combination drug for the symptomatic treatment of acute respiratory diseases, in other words, to relieve cold symptoms. It has a combined antipyretic, alpha-adrenergic stimulating, vasoconstrictor and antihistamine effect, which is more than enough to survive the period of illness with less losses without significant damage to the quality of life. The key pharmacological “ingredient” of coldact flu plus is paracetamol. The mechanism of its action is due to the blocking of the enzyme cyclooxygenase (mainly in the central nervous system) and the effect on pain and thermoregulatory centers. If we talk about the anti-inflammatory component of paracetamol, it is very weakly expressed. One of the main advantages of paracetamol over other non-narcotic analgesics and antipyretics is the lack of influence on the formation of prostaglandins in peripheral tissues. This means that the drug does not cause negative side reactions from the gastrointestinal tract (unlike the same NSAIDs that can provoke gastropathy) and does not interfere, like a bull in a china shop, with water-salt metabolism. The alpha adrenergic agonist phenylephrine causes constriction of blood vessels, eliminates swelling, and reduces blood flow to the inflamed mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, nasopharynx and sinuses. Chlorphenamine is a blocker of histamine H1 receptors, eliminates the manifestations of allergic rhinitis: sneezing, profuse rhinorrhea, itching of the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, eyes. The drug begins to act 20-30 minutes after administration and remains active for 4-4.5 hours.
Coldact flu plus is available in two dosage forms: extended-release capsules and oral suspension. Adults and children over 12 years of age take the drug 1 capsule 2 times a day with a break between doses of at least 12 hours. Coldact flu plus suspension is taken as follows: adults and children - 2 teaspoons (10 ml) 3-4 times a day, children from 6 to 12 years old - 1 teaspoon (5 ml).
Before use, the bottle with the drug should be shaken. The duration of the medication course is 3-5 days, incl. as an antipyretic - no more than 3 days, as an analgesic - no more than 5 days. Coldact flu plus is not recommended for use as part of self-medication, despite its over-the-counter status. This precautionary measure is due to the fact that this drug has its own pharmacological “antipathies”: for example, it is not compatible with monoamine oxidase inhibitors. If taking Coldact Flu Plus does not produce the expected therapeutic response (the temperature remains persistently high or rises again), you should seek medical advice. During pharmacotherapy, it is necessary to abstain from other medications containing paracetamol, and also forget about alcohol for a while. The same is also true for tranquilizers, sleeping pills and other psychotropic drugs. Coldact flu plus does not allow accurate quantitative determination of sugar and uric acid in the blood plasma, so in such cases one should not be surprised by the indicators obtained in laboratory tests. An overdose of the drug makes itself felt by the following symptoms: pale skin, lack of appetite, nausea and/or vomiting, increased clotting time, hepatonecrosis. Methods to combat overdose are as follows: no later than 6 hours, rinse the stomach, administer an antidote (in this case, SH-group donors and glutathione precursors, administered after 8-9 hours and N-acetylcysteine after 12 hours). Accidental overdose is a reason to immediately consult a doctor, regardless of whether any signs of overdose are observed or not. The risk of toxic effects of paracetamol on the blood increases when taken together with barbiturates, carbamazepine, diphenin, rifampicin. Glucocorticosteroids increase the risk of developing glaucoma.
pharmachologic effect
The therapeutic effect of the drug in question is ensured by three main active ingredients:
- Phenylpropanolamine;
- paracetamol;
- chlorphenamine.
Phenylpropanolamine is a sympathomimetic that narrows the lumen in blood vessels and reduces swelling. Exposure mainly affects the paranasal sinuses and nasal mucosa. It is excreted from the body through the kidneys, and the maximum concentration of the substance is reached within two hours.
Paracetamol has analgesic and antipyretic effects. With the help of the component it is possible to get rid of discomfort in the throat, aching joints and headaches. The maximum effect occurs within three hours and is excreted throughout the day in the urine.
Chlorpheniramine is an effective antihistamine, with minor antimuscrine and sedative effects. The component affects the permeability of mucosal cells, which helps get rid of swelling and itching in the nose.
Operating principle and effectiveness
The active substances enter the body in the form of a capsule or suspension and are absorbed into the blood through the digestive tract. Spreading along with it throughout the human body, they begin their activities to eliminate the signs of ARVI.
Paracetamol has an effect on the general condition of the body, reducing its temperature to normal. The component penetrates into the affected areas, relieving pain.
Coldact Flu Plus, the price of which is equal to the effectiveness of the medication, also penetrates the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose. Phenylephrine and chlorphenamine have a significant effect on them. Both active substances help reduce swelling and eliminate inflammation.
Phenylephrine exhibits vasoconstrictor properties, thereby relieving a person of nasal congestion and rhinitis. Chlorphenamine eliminates lacrimation and sneezing. It also helps relieve itching in the eyes and nose.
The effect of the medication lasts up to 12 hours. The effect of taking the drug occurs within the first 10–30 minutes. The patient experiences a gradual decrease in temperature, easier breathing, and disappearance of swelling.
In addition, after taking the drug, the level of activity increases, since the active substances relieve painful sensations in the body and the fatigue that accompanies them. Thus, taking one capsule helps to forget about the presence of the disease for half a day and significantly alleviate its course.
Contraindications
You will have to refuse treatment with Coldact Flu Plus if you are individually intolerant to the components of the product. Contraindications also include:
- pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
- atheroclerosis;
- peptic ulcers;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- severe liver disease;
- renal failure.
The medicine in the form of a suspension should not be given to children under six years of age; tablets are allowed only for patients over twelve.
Contraindications and adverse reactions
Coldact Flu Plus, the price of which corresponds to the quality, has a large list of contraindications. You can prescribe it yourself to treat cold symptoms only if a person is absolutely confident in his state of health. If you have various chronic and acute diseases, it is important to consult a specialist before purchasing the drug.
The use of the drug is prohibited if a person has problems with the following organs:
- pancreas;
- blood vessels;
- eyes;
- organs of the digestive tract (stomach, intestines);
- heart;
- liver;
- prostate;
- bladder;
- kidneys;
- thyroid.
If you have any diseases affecting the cardiovascular, digestive, or urinary systems, you should consult a doctor. He will help determine how safe the medication is for the patient’s health and prescribe a specific dose.
People who are allergic to the substances in the composition should be careful not to take the drug. The drug should be prescribed with caution to persons suffering from bronchial asthma.
You should not take the medication without first consulting a specialist if you have congenital hyperbilirubinemia and related diseases, for example, Gilbert's syndrome. Use the drug with caution if the patient has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
It is prohibited to use the drug during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, since particles of active substances may be released along with it. Children can use suspensions from 6 years of age, and capsules from 12 years of age.
According to research, taking Koldakt can sometimes be accompanied by side effects. In this case, there is a sharp increase in blood pressure, excitability and palpitations. Sleep disturbances such as insomnia may occur.
Often people taking the drug complain of dizziness, nausea, and lack of appetite. If the drug is used incorrectly, symptoms such as dry mucous membranes, anemia, and accommodation paresis may occur.
In rare and very rare cases, patients experience the following phenomena:
- urinary retention;
- thrombocytopenia;
- itching;
- agranulocytosis;
- angioedema;
- leukopenia;
- skin rash;
- hives.
If the course indicated in the instructions or recommended by the doctor is not followed, the drug begins to have a nephro- and hepatotoxic effect on the body, poisoning the kidneys and liver.
Instructions for use
The duration of the treatment course and dosage is determined by the attending physician individually. Recommendations contain instructions for use, which also describe possible risks. The duration of use of Koldakt depends on the patient’s age and the severity of the underlying disease.
So, adults need to take one tablet twice a day, morning and evening. It is advisable that equal time intervals pass between doses. The capsule should be taken with plenty of clean water at room temperature.
Ranbaxy Coldact Flu plus in syrup form must first be shaken well. The maximum daily dosage for children under twelve years of age is no more than 20 milliliters; for adults, a portion twice as large is suitable. The optimal dose is 3-4 times a day.
The average duration of treatment is five days. For special indications, this time may increase to one month. You cannot interrupt the therapeutic course on your own.
Storage conditions and periods
The drug can retain its properties for 2 years from the date of manufacture. After this time it must be disposed of. It is prohibited to use expired medication, as this can seriously affect your health.
To avoid having to throw away the drug ahead of time, it is important to provide it with suitable storage conditions. It should be located in a place protected from sunlight and heated to a temperature not exceeding 25°C. It is necessary to store the product where children cannot enter, in order to prevent accidental use of Koldakt by them.
Side effects
When used correctly and following instructions, side effects are quite rare. Under unfavorable conditions, the patient can expect:
- loss of appetite;
- stomach pain;
- problems with the organs of vision;
- dysuria;
- shortness of breath;
- chest pain;
- diarrhea;
- nausea;
- dry mouth.
Problems with sleep (insomnia or constant drowsiness), irritability, and dizziness are also possible.
If side effects occur, you should refuse further treatment and consult your doctor. The specialist must select a more suitable medication with a similar effect.
special instructions
Before taking the suspension or capsules, you should pay attention to several special instructions, which include:
- When using other medications, it is better to consult a medical specialist.
- You cannot combine taking the drug and alcohol.
- The drug may distort test results for sugar and uric acid.
- If long-term use is necessary, periodic monitoring of the functional state of the liver, kidneys, and blood should be carried out.
- While taking the drug, you should avoid activities that require increased concentration.
Interaction with other drugs
If the patient is already taking any medications on an ongoing basis, this should be reported to the attending physician. Koldakt cannot be combined with:
- furazolidone;
- MAO inhibitors;
- guanethidine;
- antidepressants;
- sleeping pills;
- halothane.
During the entire course of treatment, it is strictly forbidden to drink alcoholic beverages in any quantity. Otherwise, the risk of side effects increases, and the therapeutic effect decreases or disappears completely.
Conditions for dispensing from pharmacies, price of the drug
The medication does not contain any components with an excessively powerful effect on the body. Therefore, to purchase a medicine, it is not necessary to present a prescription from a doctor to the pharmacist.
Despite this, the manufacturers of the drug recommend consulting with a specialist to determine the degree of its safety for a particular organism. This is due, first of all, to the fact that the medication has a large number of contraindications. If they are not taken into account when selecting a drug, the risk of worsening the condition and developing complications increases.
In addition, the capsules contain substances that can cause side effects. If the drug is used incorrectly, the likelihood of their occurrence becomes higher. This can lead to either a slight deterioration in the patient’s condition or serious disorders in the body and the development of various diseases.
To avoid negative consequences, it is important to consult a doctor and make sure the medication is safe for a particular person. Taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient, the specialist will determine the possibility of taking the drug and the dosage.
The cost of the drug varies depending on where it is purchased. Thus, in pharmacies in the capital and large cities of Russia, the price for one package of Koldakt reaches 250 rubles. The price of the medicine across the country ranges from 150 to 225 rubles.
Use during pregnancy and lactation
It is not recommended to use Koldakt at any stage of pregnancy: such treatment threatens the physiologically correct development of the fetus and can cause complications for both the expectant mother and the child. In case of a cold, the doctor should select milder medications.
During lactation, treatment with Koldakt is also canceled. The components of the drug can pass into breast milk and into the baby's body. If the medication is still used, feeding is postponed for at least 2-3 days.
Indications for use
The main purpose of the drug is to combat the symptoms accompanying colds. Therefore, the drug is recommended for use in the presence of an acute respiratory viral infection in the body.
It is prescribed for the following types of infection:
- rhinovirus;
- flu;
- metapneumoviral;
- adenoviral;
- bocavirus;
- parainfluenza;
- reoviral;
- respiratory syncytial;
- enterovirus.
The medication is used primarily for symptomatic treatment, that is, to eliminate unpleasant symptoms that arise from diseases and alleviate the patient’s condition. Koldakt itself does not eliminate the cause and does not fight the infection - this is done by the immune system. Therefore, in severe forms of diseases caused by ARVI, it is important to combine it with taking drugs that prevent the growth and spread of viruses.
As a medicine for symptomatic therapy, capsules help get rid of the following conditions:
- elevated temperature;
- headache;
- rhinorrhea;
- chills;
- fatigue;
- soreness in joints or muscles;
- lacrimation;
- sneezing;
- a sore throat;
- itching of mucous membranes.
Thus, the medication can be used as both an antipyretic and an analgesic. It effectively normalizes the condition of a patient with ARVI, but before starting use it is best to seek advice from a physician.
Analogs
In terms of therapeutic effect and active ingredients, the closest analogues of syrup and tablets are:
- TeraFlu;
- Agisept;
- Terasil;
- AntiFlu;
- Koldar;
- Strepsils;
- Orinol;
- Rinza.
Each of these drugs has its own contraindications and possible severe side effects, so before taking the drug, you must study the instructions for use.
Despite the similarity between the analogues and the original Coldact Flu Plus, it is not advisable to select a replacement yourself. Only the attending physician can do this.
