Colds And Flu Flashcards
What is a post viral cough?
A dry cough which may persist for up to 2-3 weeks after the cold/flu has gone
What are the symptoms of a cold?
symptoms usually develop over a couple of days in a common sequence usually starting with:
- sore throat, sneezing, runny nose & watery eyes
A cough may also develop
What are the symptoms of a flu?
Symptoms usually start 1-4 days after picking up virus
What is the importance of flu vaccinations?
They are important for people with chronic health
conditions eg. asthma
Patients with chronic health conditions are encouraged to vaccinate every year because the virus changes and immunity can wane
What medicine can be given for flu?
The Tamiflu antiviral medicine can be sold by pharmacists all year round to people with flu symptoms or who have been exposed to the flu (best when given within 48h)
What are the main symptoms to be aware of when counselling for cold and flu?
sore ears,
headache,
rashes or
high
temperature
What are the important medical conditions to look out for when counselling for cold and flu?
Asthma
When should patients be referred to the pharmacist?
Age:.under 6 years or over 65 years
Symptoms: high temperature, cough causing chest pain, or cough for more than 10 days, coughs up coloured mucus (could be infection), rash, severe headache (refer to doctor immediately - check for meningitis), ear or face pain (possible sinus infection)
Medical conditions e.g. asthma - feels very unwell
Pregnant or breastfeeding
What are the common ingredients in cold and flu products?
Analgesics Decongestants Saline containing nasal sprays, drops, irrigations, Antihistamines, Cough suppressants, Cough mucolytics and expectorants
What are examples of analgesics used in cold and flu medications?
Paracetamol
Ibuprofen
Codeine
These relieve pain and lower high temperature.
What are examples of decongestants used in cold and flu medications?
Phenylephrine (oral decongestant)
oxymetazoline, (nasal decongestant, quick onset.)
xylometazoline, (nasal decongestant, quick onset.
These stop runny noses and stop congestion
What are saline containing nasal sprays, drops and irrigations good for?
Help to liquefy mucus and soothe inflamed nasal passages
Safe for babies and pregnant women
What are examples of antihistamines used in cold and flu medications?
Sedating:
chlorpheniramine,
doxylamine,
bropheniramine
Non-sedating:
Fexofenadine, loratadine
These help to dry up a runny nose.
What are examples of cough suppressants used in cold and flu medications?
pholcodine, dextromethorphan, codeine
These stop the urge to cough, to treat a dry irritating cough.
What are examples of expectorants and mucolytics used in cold and flu medications?
Expectorant: guiaphenesin
Mucolytic: bromhexine
These help to thin and liquefy mucous and phlegm in the chest.
What is the law regarding the sale of cold and flu medications in children?
Medicines Act prohibits products containing the following ingredients to be sold for use in children aged less than 6 years:
– Dextromethorphan
– Pholcodine
– Guaiphenesin
– Phenylephrine
– Pseudoephedrine (now prescription only)
– Sedating antihistamines (doxylamine, brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine,
tripolidine, promethazine and diphenhydramine)
What are the precautions associated with ibuprofen and aspirin?
Ibuprofen & aspirin (+ other NSAID analgesics)– avoid for asthma, stomach ulcers
What are the precautions regarding codeine?
Codeine is an addictive substance and should not be used for more than 3
days
– May also cause constipation, and in some people, drowsiness
What are the precaution regarding decongestants?
Oral decongestants - Caution use in people with prostate conditions or high blood pressure as it may worsen the condition
Nasal decongestants - Use for a maximum 3 days to avoid rebound congestion in nose
What are the precautions regarding sedating antihistamines?
Sedating antihistamines cause drowsiness.
– Warn about driving & operating machinery and avoiding alcohol.
– Avoid in people with glaucoma, men with prostate problems, and in the elderly.
What further advice can be given to customers regarding cold and flu?
- Wash hands frequently, Especially before preparing food and attending to young children
- Use disposable tissues - once, and throw away
- Cough or sneeze into crook of arm if no tissues immediately available
- Stay home while unwell to avoiding spreading the virus
- Specialised tissues – anti-viral, aloe vera or menthol impregnated – can
help soothe the nose - Elderberry extract, vitamin C, Zinc, Ginseng (Siberian), andrographis, and
echinacea are natural health supplements which may help lessen the length of the colds or the flu – consider as add-on sales
• Keep up a regular fluid intake
What are examples of add on sales that can be suggested to customers buying cold and flu medications?
Natural health supplements: Vitamin C, Zinc, Siberian ginseng, andrographis, Echinacea, garlic, propolis, elderberry
Tissues:
With Aloe Vera - softer on chapped noses
With menthol - helps clear nasal passages
What does Codral4flu contain?
Each tablet contains
Paracetamol 500mg - analgesic for pain relief
Codeine Phosphate 9.5mg- analgesic for pain relief
Phenylephrine Hydrochloride 5mg - oral decongestant
Chlorpheniramine maleate 2 mg - sedating antihistamine to aid sleep and dry up runny nose
What should patients be warned about if purchasing Codral4flu?
Codeine is an addictive substance and should not be used for more than 3 days at a time
Chlorpheniramine may cause drowsiness and affect ability to drive or operate machinery.
What does Codral Nighttime contain?
Each Tablet contains:
paracetamol 500mg - analgesic for pain relief
phenylephrine HCL 5mg - oral decongestant which works throughout the night.
chlorpheniramine 2mg - sedating antihistamine aids sleep
What should patients be warned about when purchasing Codral Nighttime?
Not for children aged under 12 years
Chlorpheniramine is a sedating antihistamine and may cause drowsiness and/or affect ability to operate machinery
What does Codral PE Cold & Flu contain?
Each tablet contains
paracetamol 500mg - analgesic for pain relief
codeine phosphate 9.5mg - analgesic for pain relief
phenylephrine HCL 5mg - oral decongestant
What should patients be warned about when purchasing Codral PE Cold & Flu?
Not for children aged under 12 years.
Codeine is an addictive substance and should not be used for more than 3 days at a time
What are the examples of cold and flu medications in the form of tablets/caplets/capsules?
Codral4Flu Codral Nighttime Codral PE Cold & Flu Dimetapp PE Sinus Pain Dimetapp PE Sinus Pain & Allergy Maxiclear Hayfever/Sinus Relief Nurofen Cold & Flu PE Sudafed PE Nasal Decongestant Sudafed PE Sinus & Allergy and Pain relief Sudafed PE Sinus and Pain
What does Dimetapp PE Sinus Pain contain?
Paracetamol 500mg - analgesic for sinus pain relief
Phenylephrine Hydrochloride 5mg - oral decongestant
This is non drowsy
What does Dimetapp PE Sinus Pain & Allergy contain?
Paracetamol 500mg - analgesic for sinus pain relief
Phenylephrine Hydrochloride 5mg - oral decongestant
Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2mg - sedating antihistamine to dry up a runny nose
What should patients be warned about if they are purchasing Dimetapp PE Sinus Pain & Allergy?
Chlorpheniramine may make people drowsy and affect driving and operation of machinery
What does Maxiclear Hayfever/Sinus Relief contain?
Each tablet contains
Phenylephrine Hydrochloride 10mg - oral decongestant to clear up sinuses
Loratadine 2.5mg - non sedating antihistamine which dries up a runny nose without causing drowsiness
What does Nurofen Cold & Flu PE contain?
Each tablet contains:
ibuprofen 200mg - analgesic for pain relief
phenylephrine HCL - oral decongestant
What should patients be warned about when purchasing Nurofen Cold & Flu PE?
Not for children aged under 12 years
What does Sudafed PE Nasal Decongestant contain?
Each tablet contains:
phenylephrine HCl 10mg - oral decongestant to reduce swelling and secretions in nasal passages to free up breathing, relieve pressure on sinuses to help headache.
Targets runny nose and congestion
What should patients be warned about if purchasing Sudafed PE Nasal Decongestant?
Not for children aged under 12 years.
What does Sudafed PE Sinus & Allergy and Pain Relief contain?
Each tablet contains:
paracetamol 500mg - analgesic for pain relief and fever
phenylephrine 5mg - oral decongestant
chlorpheniramine 2mg - sedating antihistamine to dry a runny nose.
What should patients be warned about when purchasing Sudafed PE Sinus & Allergy and Pain Relief
Not for children aged under 12 years
Chlorpheniramine may cause drowsiness and affect driving and operation of machinery
What does Sudafed PE Sinus & Pain contain?
For non drowsy relief. Each tablet contains:
phenylephrine HCL 5mg - oral decongestant
paracetamol 500mg - analgesic for pain relief
What should patients be warned about when purchasing Sudafed PE Sinus & Pain?
Not for children aged under 12 years
What are examples of products which provide cold, flu AND cough relief?
Codral PE Cold, Flu & Cough
Panadol Cold & Flu Relief PE
What does Codral PE Cold, Flu & Cough contain?
Each Tablet contains:
Day: Paracetamol 500mg - analgesic for pain relief
Phenylephrine 5mg - oral decongestant
Dextromethorphan 10mg - cough suppressant
Night: Paracetamol 500mg - analgesic for pain relief
Chlorpheniramine 2mg - sedating antihistamine to aid sleep and dry up a runny nose
Dextromethorphan 10mg - cough suppressant
What does Panadol Cold & Flu Relief PE contain?
Each Caplet contains:
paracetamol 500mg - analgesic for pain relief
dextromethorphan HBR 15mg - cough suppressant
phenylephrine HCI 5mg - oral decongestant.
What should patients be warned about when purchasing Panadol Cold & Flu Relief PE?
Not for children aged under 12 years
What is the benefit of Panadol Cold & Flu Relief PE?
Comes in caplets which are easier to swallow
What are examples of hot remedies for cold & flu (+/-cough)
Coldrex Hot Remedy Cold & Flu
Lemsip Max All in One Cold & Flu Lemon
Lemsip Max Cold and Flu with Decongestant
Panadol Cold & Flu Max + Decongestant (hot lemon)
