Panadol Sinus Relief Original Formula (Paracetamol 500Mg And Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride 30Mg)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Panadol Sinus Relief Original Formula Used For?
Panadol Sinus Relief contains two active ingredients that work together to provide relief from sinus and nasal congestion symptoms.
Primary Uses
This medication is used for the temporary relief of sinus congestion and pain, nasal congestion and runny nose.
How It Works
Paracetamol works by stopping pain messages from reaching the brain and acts in the brain to reduce fever. Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride is a sympathomimetic decongestant that reduces congestion in the upper respiratory tract, including the nose, nasal passages and sinuses, making it easier to breathe.
Good to know: Use the smallest dose needed to treat your symptoms and for the shortest period of time necessary.
How to Take Panadol Sinus Relief Original Formula
Follow all directions carefully and use the smallest effective dose for the shortest time needed.
Dosage Instructions
Adults and children 12 years and over: Take 2 tablets every 6 hours as necessary. Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours. Do not take more frequently than every 6 hours. Swallow with water or other fluid. Do not use in children under 12 years.
Duration of Use
Adults: Only take for a few days at a time unless your doctor tells you to take it for longer. Children 12 to 17 years: Only give for up to 48 hours at a time unless a doctor has told you to give it for longer.
Critical Warning: Do not take more than the recommended dose as it may cause serious harm to your liver.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Nervousness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Fear or anxiety
- Headache
- Tremor
- Increased blood pressure
- Nausea or indigestion
- Drowsiness
- Agitation
- Restlessness
- Hallucinations (particularly in children)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Sudden chest pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue or other body parts
- Allergic skin reactions like rash, peeling, itching or hives
- Mouth ulcers
- Unexplained bruising or bleeding
- Symptoms of metabolic acidosis (serious breathing difficulties, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite)
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Trouble urinating or urinary retention
- Sudden severe headache or thunderclap headache with or without nausea, vomiting, confusion, seizures, visual disturbances
- Sudden abdominal pain or blood in stools
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where this medication should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Panadol Sinus Relief Original Formula
Do not use if you are allergic to paracetamol, pseudoephedrine, or any ingredients; taking other paracetamol-containing medicines; taking other cold/flu medicines, tricyclic antidepressants, amphetamines, or appetite suppressants; have very high or uncontrolled blood pressure; have heart disease or blood vessel problems; have severe kidney disease or kidney failure; have taken MAO inhibitors in the last 14 days; are taking furazolidone or linezolid antibiotics; or if the product is expired or damaged.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have liver or kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, overactive thyroid, glaucoma, poor blood flow, adrenal gland tumor, psychosis, upcoming surgery, epilepsy, prostate problems, irregular heartbeat, asthma or respiratory problems, are underweight or malnourished, regularly drink alcohol, are over 60 years old, or have severe illness or infection.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Ask your doctor before use if you are pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Metabolic Acidosis Risk: If you have severe illness, severe infection, are severely malnourished or are a chronic heavy alcohol user, you may be at increased risk of metabolic acidosis. Signs include deep, rapid, difficult breathing, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and drowsiness. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms.
Drug Interactions
This medication can interact with many other medicines. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking.
Important: The pseudoephedrine content may cause a positive reaction during anti-doping control tests.
- Warfarin or similar blood thinners
- Metoclopramide for nausea and vomiting
- Anti-epilepsy medicines like phenytoin
- Chloramphenicol antibiotic
- Alcohol
- Probenecid for gout
- Cholestyramine for high cholesterol
- Flucloxacillin antibiotic
- Pain relievers, sedatives and hypnotics
- MAO inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants
- Heart medicines like digoxin
- Blood pressure medicines like beta-blockers
- Urinary tract infection medicines
- Medicines for behavioral disorders
- Phenylephrine decongestant
- Other decongestants or cough and cold medicines
- Appetite suppressants
- Furazolidone or linezolid antibiotics
- Migraine medicines like ergotamine or methysergide
Alcohol & Driving
This medication can affect your ability to drive safely and may interact with alcohol.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you drink alcohol. If you regularly drink alcohol, you may need to avoid using this product altogether or limit the amount of paracetamol that you take.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how this medicine affects you. This medicine may cause dizziness. If affected, do not drive or operate machinery.
Storage
Store your medicine in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Keep away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep in the original pack until it’s time to take it. Keep out of sight and reach of children – a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is recommended.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Panadol Sinus Relief, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 for Australia, 0800 764 766 for NZ) or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning because of the risk of delayed, serious liver damage if left untreated.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication contains paracetamol and pseudoephedrine which work to relieve pain and reduce congestion. While the exact onset time isn’t specified in the product information, you should see your doctor if symptoms don’t improve.
The product information states to swallow tablets with water or other fluid, but doesn’t specify whether to take with or without food. Consult your pharmacist for specific guidance.
The product information doesn’t indicate that this medication is addictive, but it should only be used for short periods – a few days for adults and up to 48 hours for children 12-17 years unless directed otherwise by a doctor.
This medication is intended for short-term use only (a few days for adults, up to 48 hours for children 12-17 years). The product information doesn’t mention withdrawal effects, as it’s designed for temporary symptom relief.
You should tell your doctor or pharmacist if you drink alcohol. If you regularly drink alcohol, you may need to avoid using this product altogether or limit the amount of paracetamol you take, as alcohol can interact with paracetamol.
If you are more than 60 years old, there is an increased possibility of unwanted effects. You should consult with your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication.
This medication is taken as needed for symptoms, not on a regular schedule. Take it only when you have sinus congestion and pain, following the dosing instructions of 2 tablets every 6 hours as necessary, not exceeding 8 tablets in 24 hours.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.