EPSOM MEDICAL CENTRE

Treat a cold or flu

When you’ve got a cold or flu rest and plenty of fluids (e.g. water, diluted fruit juice) are important. If you need something more to help ease the symptoms here’s a list of suggestions to pick and choose from:

Fever, Pain and General Unwellness:

· Paracetamol (500mg, 2 tabs every 4 hours)

· Ibuprofen (200mg 1-2 tab 3 times a day OR 800mgSR 1 tab twice a day). (Provided there are no medications or medical conditions where anti-inflammatories should not be used)

Nasal Decongestion

· Otrivin Plus Nasal Spray

· Ipratropium Nasal Spray Use with the head tipped forward

Throat

· Paracetamol or Ibuprofen

· Strepsils Plus

· Difflam Gargle if needed

Cough

Finding relief from a cough can sometimes be difficult. Here are some suggestions which may help:

· Honey – Warm lemon and honey drink.

· Sleep propped up in bed at night

· Gently heat room air at night to take the edge off cold night air

If cough syrup really seems needed, try:

· For throaty coughs – Strepsils Cough Lozenges

· For dry chesty cough – Duro-Tuss Dry Cough Forte (pholcodine) aids cough suppression

· For phlegmy coughs with sticky mucus – Mucinex may aid in softening phlegm and help to cough it out.

General Information

102 Great South Road, Epsom, Auckland 1051

Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Closed Public Holidays