FLIDREX COLD&FLU SYRUP 120ML

Indications

Approved Uses

Temporary relief of common cold/flu symptoms including fever and pain (headache, body aches), nasal/sinus congestion, runny nose, and sneezing.

Dosage & Administration

Maximum Dose

Adults: do not exceed 4 g/day of paracetamol AND do not exceed 240 mg/day pseudoephedrine; for this specific syrup strength (per 5 mL: paracetamol 120 mg, pseudoephedrine 15 mg, chlorpheniramine 0.75 mg), that corresponds to a maximum of 80 mL/day (paracetamol 1920 mg, pseudoephedrine 240 mg, chlorpheniramine 12 mg). Children 6-11 years: do not exceed 120 mg/day pseudoephedrine (i.e., 40 mL/day of this syrup).

Side Effects

Common Side Effects

Drowsiness/sedation, dizziness, dry mouth, blurred vision, nausea; nervousness/restlessness/insomnia; palpitations and increased heart rate; urinary retention (especially in men with BPH).

Side Effect Frequency

Common: drowsiness/sedation, dizziness, dry mouth, nausea; Common (sympathomimetic-related): nervousness, insomnia; Uncommon/Rare: palpitations/tachycardia, increased blood pressure, urinary retention, blurred vision, skin rash/allergic reactions.

Safety & Warnings

Warnings & Precautions

Do not exceed recommended dose or combine with other paracetamol-containing products; avoid use with MAOIs (or within 14 days); caution in hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, benign prostatic hyperplasia/urinary retention, hepatic or renal impairment; may cause drowsiness-avoid driving/alcohol/CNS depressants; limit duration and seek care if symptoms persist/worsen.

Age Restriction

Not recommended for children under 6 years (unless specifically directed by a clinician).

Driving Warning

May Cause Drowsiness

Drug Interactions

Drug Interactions

MAO inhibitors (contraindicated; hypertensive crisis risk with pseudoephedrine); other sympathomimetics/decongestants (additive CV/CNS stimulation); CNS depressants including alcohol/sedatives (additive sedation with chlorpheniramine); tricyclic antidepressants (enhanced pressor response to pseudoephedrine); antihypertensives (reduced antihypertensive effect); warfarin (paracetamol at repeated/high doses may increase INR/bleeding risk); other paracetamol-containing products (overdose risk).

Food Interaction

No restriction

Special Populations

Pregnancy

Consult Doctor

Breastfeeding

Consult Doctor

Storage & Patient Advice

Stopping the Medicine

Safe to stop at any time; discontinue once symptoms resolve or if adverse effects occur.

Overdose

Overdose may be life-threatening: paracetamol-early nausea/vomiting/diaphoresis with delayed (24-72 h) hepatotoxicity; pseudoephedrine-hypertension, tachycardia, agitation, arrhythmias, seizures; chlorpheniramine-marked sedation or excitation, anticholinergic toxicity (mydriasis, hyperthermia, urinary retention), seizures. Management: urgent medical care/poison center, consider activated charcoal if early, check paracetamol level and give N-acetylcysteine when indicated, plus supportive/cardiovascular management.

Patient Counseling

Do not exceed the recommended dose/frequency and avoid taking any other paracetamol-containing products. May cause drowsiness-avoid driving/operating machinery; avoid alcohol. Do not use with MAO inhibitors (or within 14 days). Consult a clinician before use if you have hypertension/heart disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, glaucoma, or difficulty urinating/BPH, or if pregnant/breastfeeding. Seek medical advice if symptoms persist >7 days, worsen, or are accompanied by high fever, rash, or shortness of breath.

Monitoring Requirements

No routine monitoring for short-term OTC use. Consider monitoring liver function/clinical signs of hepatotoxicity if prolonged use, high-risk patients (hepatic disease, chronic alcohol use), or suspected overdose; monitor blood pressure/heart rate in patients with cardiovascular disease or hypertension if symptomatic.

Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

Paracetamol: central analgesic/antipyretic via inhibition of central prostaglandin synthesis. Pseudoephedrine: sympathomimetic (primarily alpha-adrenergic) causing nasal mucosal vasoconstriction and decongestion. Chlorpheniramine: first-generation H1 antagonist reducing histamine-mediated symptoms (sneezing/rhinorrhea) with anticholinergic/sedative properties.

Onset of Action

30-60 minutes.

Bioavailability

Paracetamol: 70-90%. Pseudoephedrine: ~100%. Chlorpheniramine: 25-50%.

Metabolism

Paracetamol: hepatic glucuronidation/sulfation with a minor CYP-mediated pathway (notably CYP2E1) producing a reactive metabolite. Pseudoephedrine: minimal hepatic metabolism. Chlorpheniramine: hepatic metabolism (primarily CYP2D6; other CYPs may contribute).

Product Information

Available Dosage Forms

Syrup (oral).

Composition per Dose

Each 5ml contains: 120mg Paracetamol, 15mg Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride, 0.75mg Chlorpheniramine Maleate.

Generic Availability

Yes

OTC Alternatives

For fever/pain: single-ingredient paracetamol. For congestion: saline nasal spray/irrigation; short-course topical nasal decongestant (e.g., oxymetazoline) if appropriate. For rhinorrhea/sneezing: non-sedating antihistamine (e.g., loratadine) if allergy-predominant.

Symptom Target

Multi-symptom

Sedating

Yes

Reviewed by Al Mujtama Pharmacy Medical Review Team. Last reviewed 08-08-2026