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A pharmacist has issued an urgent warning following a surge in flu cases(Image: KM6064 via Getty Images)<\/p>\nA pharmacist has issued an urgent warning in the winter months following a surge in flu cases<\/p>\n
Katie-Ann Gupwell Content Editor <\/p>\n
07:40, 20 Dec 2025<\/p>\n
A pharmacist has issued an urgent warning following a surge in flu cases(Image: KM6064 via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
It’s widely recognised that flu cases have surged dramatically this winter, with hospital admissions climbing as a consequence of the troublesome ailment. Yet, if you find yourself battling a cold, cough, flu or similar seasonal virus, there’s crucial information regarding medication that demands your attention.<\/p>\n
A pharmacist has delivered an essential warning concerning paracetamol use during this period, highlighting lesser-known facts about this widely-used medicine that the public ought to understand. Whilst it’s routinely consumed by individuals seeking to alleviate pain and bring down temperatures, there are specific situations where it shouldn’t be taken.<\/p>\n
A healthcare professional, identified as Pharmacist Anum, has disseminated this critical health<\/a> guidance. This follows reports from one mother who described the symptoms of the current “super flu” strain as exceptionally challenging to manage.<\/p>\n Within her video message, the pharmacist outlined: “If you’re buying over the counter cold and flu remedies at your pharmacy, you need to watch this video. These are the things that you don’t want to mix with popular cold and flu remedies.<\/p>\n “So think things like Lemsip, Day Nurse, Benylin, anything like this, you do not want to be taking alongside paracetamol or any other paracetamol-containing medication. The reason being is that they already contain paracetamol.”, reports the Mirror<\/a>.<\/p>\n “So, if you’re taking paracetamol in addition, you’re running the risk of overdosing. You also want to be careful with night-time specific remedies.”<\/p>\n She continued: “Things like Night Nurse, Benylin Night, cough syrup, to name a few. These often contain sedating antihistamines, so please do not take any antihistamines on top of this.<\/p>\n “What are antihistamines? Things like cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine. All that will happen is it will make you so much more drowsy, and increase the risk of side effects.<\/p>\n “If you’re ever unsure, speak with your pharmacist.”<\/p>\n In essence, that’s the essential information needed to navigate the colder months safely.<\/p>\n When is paracetamol best avoided?<\/p>\n Whilst paracetamol can help alleviate flu symptoms, extreme caution must be exercised to prevent taking a double dose, given that numerous cold and flu treatments already include paracetamol. The crucial step is to thoroughly examine the packaging of any multi-symptom medication.<\/p>\n