Rhinafen to relieve symptoms of colds and flu. How to use?

Rhinafen is used to relieve the symptoms of colds and flu, such as nasal and paranasal sinus congestion, joint and muscle pain, headache, fever. The drug contains a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent and a sympathomimetic amine. The preparation is in the form of tablets and is dispensed without a prescription.

Rhinafen (Polfa Łódź SA)

SUBSTANCE 1 tablet contains: 0,2 g of ibuprofen, 0,03 g of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride

ACTION

Rhinafen is a combined preparation containing a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and a sympathomimetic amine.

Rhinafen – indications and dosage

Rhinafen is a preparation recommended for relieving symptoms of colds and flu in the form of:

1. nasal obstruction and nasal paranasal sinuses,
2. joint and muscle pains,
3. headache
4. fever.

Dosage of the preparation

Rhinafen is in the form of tablets to be taken by mouth. Do not exceed the recommended dose of the drug as it may endanger your life or health.

1. Adults and children after the age of 12: initially 2 tablets. once, then, if necessary, 1-2 tablets / day, not more frequently than every 4 hours; dose max. 6 tablets / day

Rhinafen and contraindications

Contraindications to taking Rhinafen are:

1. hypersensitivity to any component of the preparation, other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
2. severe renal or hepatic insufficiency,
3. active or past gastric and / or duodenal ulcer disease,
4. history of aspirin-induced asthma, angioedema, bronchospasm, rhinitis or urticaria associated with taking acetylsalicylic acid or other NSAIDs
5. hypertension,
6. glaucoma,
7. overactive thyroid gland
8. benign prostatic hyperplasia,
9. diabetes,
10. pheochromocytoma of the adrenal glands,
11. polypy nose,
12. severe diseases of the cardiovascular system,
13. tachycardia,
14. angina,
15. severe heart failure
16. pregnancy,
17. the period of breastfeeding,
18. history of stroke or risk factors for its occurrence,
19. hemorrhagic diathesis,
20. taking anticoagulants,
21. parallel use of other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (including COX-2 inhibitors).

Rhinafen – drug warnings

1. Do not give this medicine to children under 12 years of age without a doctor’s advice.
2. If symptoms worsen or do not improve within 3 days, see a doctor.
3. Caution should be exercised in patients: with hypertension and / or cardiac dysfunction, a history of myocardial infarction or heart failure, with impaired liver function, with impaired renal function (use the lowest dose possible and monitor the renal function), with coagulation disorders blood (ibuprofen may prolong bleeding time), with symptoms of neurological disorders (nausea, headache), with obstruction of the bladder neck, with pyloric stenosis, with benign prostatic hyperplasia, in diabetic patients.
4. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease are at risk of developing aseptic meningitis.
5. Symptoms may be exacerbated in patients with a history of gastrointestinal disease such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease.
6. Patients with bronchial asthma (active or past) and allergic abilities are at risk of bronchospasm after taking the drug.
7. The elderly are at increased risk of side effects.
8. The preparation should be taken in the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time to avoid side effects.
9. There is a risk of gastrointestinal haemorrhage, ulceration or perforation, which may be fatal and may not necessarily be preceded by warning symptoms. It is recommended that you inform your doctor about any unusual gastrointestinal symptoms (especially bleeding), especially at the beginning of treatment. This applies especially to elderly people and patients with gastrointestinal diseases, for whom it is recommended to use the lowest dose possible.
10. Gastrointestinal dysfunction may occur during the use of anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin, acenocoumarol), anti-aggregating drugs (e.g. acetylsalicylic acid) and corticosteroids.
11. If the first symptoms appear on the skin in the form of: rash, damage to the oral mucosa and other signs of hypersensitivity, the treatment should be discontinued and a doctor should be consulted.
12. People with arterial hypertension, cardiac dysfunction, edema, with increased cholesterol, diabetics or smoking should consult a doctor before taking the preparation.
13. Taking Rhinafenm in large amounts may cause a heart attack or stroke.
14. There is a risk of renal failure with long-term concomitant use of ibuprofen and other analgesics.
15. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may cause temporary impairment of female fertility.
16. The pseudoephedrine in Rhinafen is not allowed for athletes and may test positive for doping substances, there may be a risk of drug abuse and toxicity.
17. Long-term use of the drug may lead to the development of tolerance and the risk of overdose.
18. Suddenly stopping treatment can cause depression.
19. It is contraindicated to take the drug by pregnant women and during breastfeeding.
20. Patients in whom the drug causes side effects and impairs psychophysical fitness should not drive motor vehicles or operate machinery.

Rhinafen with other medications

1. Do not use the preparation with the following drugs due to the ibuprofen content: acetylsalicylic acid or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (because the risk of side effects increases); diuretics or antihypertensives (possible reduction in their effectiveness); anticoagulants from the coumarin group (possible increase in their effect, e.g. warfarin); zidovudine (risk of prolonged bleeding time); methotrexate and lithium (possible increase in plasma levels of both lithium and methotrexate; it is recommended to control their concentration in the blood); corticosteroids (increased risk of side effects, especially in the gastrointestinal tract).
2. Due to the content of pseudoephedrine, do not use simultaneously with MAO inhibitors and for 2 weeks after discontinuation of treatment with MAO inhibitors (a life-threatening hypertensive crisis may occur).
3. The use of pseudoephedrine with the following drugs is not recommended: sympathomimetic drugs (decongestants of the blood vessels of the mucous membranes), tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. imipramine, opipramol), appetite suppressants and amphetamine-like psychotropic drugs.
4. Pseudoephedrine may reduce the effects of guanethidine and increase the likelihood of arrhythmias in people using digitalis glycosides, quinidine or tricyclic antidepressants.
5. The effect of pseudoephedrine may be increased or decreased by the use of tricyclic antidepressants.
6. Blood pressure lowering drugs (guanethidine, reserpine, methyldopa) may reduce the effectiveness of pseudoephedrine.
7. Antacids increase the rate of pseudoephedrine absorption and kaolin reduces it.
8. Pseudoephedrine in combination with anesthetic drugs in general can cause an acute hypertensive reaction. The use of the preparation should be discontinued at least 24 hours before the planned general anesthesia.

Rhinafen – side effects

1. While taking Rhinafen the following may occur: indigestion, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, flatulence, constipation, vomiting, gastritis, gastrointestinal bleeding, tarry stools, bloody vomiting, ulcerative stomatitis, gastric ulcer and / or or duodenum, exacerbation of Crohn’s disease, gastrointestinal perforation (especially in people over 65 years of age), liver dysfunction, decreased urine output, kidney failure, renal papilla necrosis, increased levels of sodium in the blood plasma (sodium retention), difficulty urination, edema, hypertension, heart failure, palpitations, tachycardia, drowsiness, headache and dizziness, agitation, irritability, insomnia, fatigue, psychotic reactions, tinnitus, blurred vision, tremors, muscle weakness, anxiety,
2. very rarely, the following may occur: blood and lymphatic system disorders such as: haemolytic and aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia (the first symptoms of these disorders include: fever, sore throat, superficial ulceration of the oral mucosa, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, bleeding, bruising, ecchymosis, purpura, epistaxis),
3. hypersensitivity and allergic reactions (rash, itching, hives, erythema multiforme, swelling of the face, larynx, tongue, dyspnoea, decreased blood pressure, shock, acute shock, asthma exacerbation, bronchospasm, toxic necrosis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome) . Isolated cases of symptoms associated with aseptic meningitis (neck stiffness, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, confusion) have been reported in people with autoimmune diseases (e.g. lupus erythematosus). Long-term use of ibuprofen in high doses (2400 mg daily) may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.