Capsules and Tablets
19 Capsules And Tablets treatments found
Overview
Cold and Flu Capsules and Tablets
Cold and flu capsules and tablets are designed to provide systemic relief from multiple symptoms at once, making them a convenient option when you are dealing with a combination of headaches, body aches, fever, congestion and general discomfort. Most products in this category contain a painkiller (typically paracetamol) alongside one or more additional active ingredients such as a decongestant, an antihistamine or caffeine.
Because these are combination products, it is essential to check the active ingredients before taking them alongside any other medicines. Many cold and flu tablets already contain paracetamol, and taking additional paracetamol on top can lead to an accidental overdose, which can cause serious liver damage.
Cloud Pharmacy stocks a range of cold and flu capsules and tablets from trusted UK brands, including Beechams, Benylin, Lemsip, Sudafed and Actifed. All products are dispensed by our GPhC-registered pharmacy team and delivered to your door.
Who Are These Treatments For?
Cold and flu capsules and tablets are suitable for adults aged 18 and over unless otherwise stated on the product packaging. These treatments may be appropriate if you are experiencing:
- Headaches, body aches or mild fever associated with a cold or flu
- Nasal congestion or a blocked nose
- General cold and flu symptoms affecting your daily routine
- A need for combined symptom relief in a single tablet or capsule
If your symptoms are severe, have persisted for more than three weeks, or are accompanied by difficulty breathing, chest pain, a high temperature that does not respond to paracetamol, or coughing up blood, seek medical advice from your GP or call NHS 111.
Important Safety Information
- Check the active ingredients of every product before use. Many cold and flu tablets contain paracetamol, do not take these alongside separate paracetamol tablets, as exceeding the maximum daily dose of 4g (eight 500mg tablets) can cause serious liver damage
- Products containing decongestants (such as phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine) should be used with caution if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, thyroid problems, glaucoma, or an enlarged prostate. Consult your pharmacist before use
- Some products (such as Benylin Day & Night and Night Nurse) contain antihistamines that cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery after taking these
- Tell your pharmacist if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking any other medicines, including prescription medicines
- Do not give adult cold and flu tablets to children under 16 unless the product is specifically labelled for their age group
- Do not use cold and flu tablets for more than seven days without seeking medical advice
Available Treatments
All-in-One and Multi-Symptom Products
Beechams All-in-One Tablets
Beechams All-in-One Tablets contain paracetamol (pain and fever relief), phenylephrine (a decongestant to ease nasal congestion) and guaifenesin (an expectorant to help loosen chest mucus). They are designed to tackle multiple cold and flu symptoms simultaneously, including headache, body aches, fever, congestion and a chesty cough with mucus.
Beechams Flu Plus Caplets
Beechams Flu Plus contains paracetamol, phenylephrine and caffeine. The caffeine helps counteract the tiredness and fatigue commonly associated with cold and flu. These caplets target headache, fever, body aches and nasal congestion.
Benylin Cold and Flu Max Capsules
Benylin Cold and Flu Max Capsules provide maximum-strength relief from cold and flu symptoms. They contain paracetamol for pain and fever, phenylephrine for congestion, and caffeine to help combat drowsiness and fatigue.
Benylin 4 Flu Tablets
Benylin 4 Flu Tablets contain paracetamol, pseudoephedrine (a stronger decongestant) and diphenhydramine (an antihistamine that also helps with sleep). They target headache, fever, aches, congestion and can help with restful sleep at night. Note that diphenhydramine may cause drowsiness.
Benylin Mucus Cough & Cold All in One Relief Tablets
These tablets combine paracetamol, guaifenesin (to help loosen mucus) and phenylephrine (to ease congestion). They are particularly suited to cold and flu symptoms accompanied by a mucus cough, helping to thin and clear phlegm from the chest and airways.
Lemsip Max Cold and Flu Capsules
Lemsip Max Capsules contain paracetamol and phenylephrine in a maximum-strength formulation. They provide relief from aches, pains, fever, nasal congestion, sore throat and headache associated with cold and flu.
Actifed Multi-Action Tablets
Actifed Multi-Action Tablets contain paracetamol, pseudoephedrine and triprolidine (an antihistamine). They are designed to relieve pain, fever, nasal congestion, and the sneezing and runny nose associated with colds. Triprolidine may cause drowsiness in some people.
Day and Night Formulations
Benylin Day & Night Tablets
This product includes two types of tablet. The daytime (white) tablet contains paracetamol to relieve pain and fever without causing drowsiness. The nighttime (blue) tablet contains pseudoephedrine (a decongestant) and diphenhydramine (an antihistamine that promotes sleep). This dual formulation allows you to stay alert during the day while getting restful sleep at night.
Lemsip Max Day & Night Capsules
Lemsip Max Day & Night includes separate daytime and nighttime capsules. The daytime capsules contain paracetamol and phenylephrine for pain, fever and congestion relief. The nighttime capsules include an additional antihistamine to help you sleep. This approach ensures symptom relief around the clock without unnecessary daytime drowsiness.
Decongestant Tablets
Sudafed Decongestant Tablets
Sudafed Decongestant Tablets contain pseudoephedrine, a nasal decongestant that helps relieve a blocked or stuffy nose. Unlike all-in-one products, Sudafed focuses specifically on congestion and does not contain a painkiller, making it suitable to combine with separate paracetamol if needed (under pharmacist guidance).
Sudafed Mucus Relief Triple Action Cold & Flu Tablets
Sudafed Mucus Relief Triple Action contains paracetamol, phenylephrine and guaifenesin. It targets pain, fever, nasal congestion and helps loosen and thin mucus in the chest. It is suited to cold and flu symptoms accompanied by a productive, mucus-producing cough.
Choosing the Right Product
Symptoms | Recommended Type | Example Treatments |
| Headache, fever, aches, congestion | All-in-one cold & flu tablet | Beechams All-in-One, Lemsip Max, Benylin Cold & Flu Max |
| Multiple symptoms + chesty cough with mucus | All-in-one with expectorant | Benylin Mucus Cough & Cold, Sudafed Triple Action |
| Daytime alertness + nighttime sleep support | Day & night formulation | Benylin Day & Night, Lemsip Max Day & Night |
| Blocked nose only (no pain/fever) | Decongestant tablet | Sudafed Decongestant Tablets |
| Cold/flu with fatigue and drowsiness | Tablet with caffeine | Beechams Flu Plus, Benylin Cold & Flu Max |
How to Buy Cold and Flu Tablets from Cloud Pharmacy
- Step 1: Browse the product range on this page
- Step 2: Select the product you need and add it to your basket
- Step 3: Complete a short online assessment so our pharmacy team can confirm the product is suitable for you
- Step 4: Once approved, your order is dispensed and dispatched with discreet, next-day delivery available
Our clinical team reviews every order before dispatch. If a product is not suitable for you based on your assessment, our pharmacist will contact you to discuss alternatives.
Sources and References
NHS - Common cold: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/common-cold/
NHS - Flu: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu/
NHS - Paracetamol for adults: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/paracetamol-for-adults/
NHS - Pseudoephedrine: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/pseudoephedrine/
NICE - Common cold: antimicrobial prescribing (NG120)
FAQ
Can I take cold and flu tablets with separate paracetamol?
No. Most cold and flu tablets already contain paracetamol. Taking additional paracetamol alongside them can lead to an overdose, which can cause serious liver damage. Always check the active ingredients listed on the packaging before combining any medicines. If you need additional pain relief, ask your pharmacist whether ibuprofen is a safe alternative for you.
What is the difference between day and night cold and flu tablets?
Day and night formulations contain different active ingredients in each tablet. Daytime tablets typically focus on pain, fever and congestion relief without causing drowsiness, so you can carry on with your daily routine. Nighttime tablets often include an antihistamine (such as diphenhydramine) that promotes sleep and helps with symptoms like a runny nose that may be keeping you awake. This approach ensures around-the-clock symptom management.
How long should I take cold and flu tablets for?
Cold and flu tablets are intended for short-term use to manage symptoms. Most colds resolve within 7 to 10 days. If your symptoms have not improved after seven days of treatment, are getting worse, or are accompanied by a high fever, difficulty breathing, or chest pain, stop taking the tablets and see your GP.
Can I take cold and flu tablets if I have high blood pressure?
Many cold and flu tablets contain decongestants (phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine), which can raise blood pressure and are not suitable for people with uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, or certain other conditions. If you have high blood pressure, speak to your pharmacist before taking any cold and flu medication. Paracetamol on its own is generally considered safe for pain and fever relief in people with high blood pressure.
When should I see a doctor instead of self-treating?
See your GP or call NHS 111 if you have a temperature that does not improve with paracetamol, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, symptoms persisting beyond three weeks, or if you have a weakened immune system or chronic health condition.
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