Theraflu Powder: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Theraflu Powder is a combination medicine containing acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan, and pseudoephedrine, used to relieve multiple cold and flu symptoms at once. The powder is mixed into hot water and drunk like a warm tea. It is intended for adults and adolescents age 12 and older, and it treats symptoms like pain, fever, congestion, and cough without curing the underlying illness.

What is Theraflu Powder

Theraflu is a brand of over-the-counter combination medicine for cold and flu symptoms. The powder form is mixed into hot water and drunk like a warm tea. It contains several different medicines in one product, each aimed at a specific symptom.

Theraflu Powder uses

• Headache and body aches
• Fever
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Cough
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Chest congestion
• Sinus congestion

Benefits of Theraflu Powder

• Treats multiple cold and flu symptoms with one product
• Comes as a warm drink that can feel soothing when you're sick
• May start working a bit faster than caplets or chews for some people
• Convenient alternative to taking several single-symptom medicines separately

How Theraflu Powder works

Theraflu combines several ingredients that each target a different symptom: a pain reliever and fever reducer, a cough suppressant, and sometimes an antihistamine or decongestant. Together they work to relieve multiple cold and flu symptoms at once, but they do not kill the virus or shorten how long you're sick.

Theraflu Powder dosage

Mix the powder packet into hot water and drink it like a hot tea. Products labeled "nighttime" will likely make you sleepy, so consider when you take them. This product is only meant for adults and adolescents age 12 and older. Don't take Theraflu together with other over-the-counter medicines that have the same or similar ingredients. Read the package label carefully to be sure it matches the symptoms you have before taking it. Stop taking it and check with your healthcare team if your symptoms are severe or don't improve within a few days.

Available forms and strengths

• Flavored syrup
• Soft chews
• Caplets
• Nasal spray

Side effects of Theraflu Powder

Common

• Dizziness, drowsiness
• Dry mouth, nose, or throat
• Blurred vision
• Constipation
• Feeling restless or excited (especially in children)
• Sleep problems (insomnia)

Serious

• Liver damage or death from acetaminophen overdose, with signs like stomach pain, loss of appetite, tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or yellowing of skin or eyes
• Severe skin reaction that spreads and causes blistering and peeling
• Allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Severe drowsiness
• Fever lasting longer than 3 days
• Redness, swelling, or rash
• Ongoing headache
• Pain, cough, or sinus congestion lasting more than 7 days

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this medicine if you have taken a certain type of antidepressant (MAO inhibitor) in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.
• Taking too much acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death.
• Do not give this medicine to a child just to make them sleepy.
• People with liver problems, high blood pressure or heart disease, glaucoma, trouble urinating from prostate problems, asthma or COPD, thyroid problems, or diabetes should be cautious, and those taking MAOIs or certain antidepressants should avoid Theraflu.
• Do not take more than the recommended dose, as this increases the risk of side effects.
• Avoid combining Theraflu with other cold or flu medicines containing similar ingredients, including other acetaminophen products like Tylenol.
• Theraflu may not be a good choice if you are pregnant; check with your healthcare team before use.
• Theraflu may not be a good choice if you are nursing; check with your healthcare team before use.
• Check the ingredients before use because Theraflu formulations vary.
• People with liver problems, or those taking other products containing acetaminophen, should avoid or limit use of Theraflu to prevent liver damage.
• Do not combine with other medicines containing acetaminophen/paracetamol.
• If you have high blood pressure, liver disease, or heart problems, use caution when driving.

Storage

• Store at 20–25°C.
• Keep sachets in a dry place.
• Protect from heat and direct sunlight.
• Keep the sachet sealed until use.
• Keep out of reach of children.

When to see a doctor

• Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.
• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms, severe drowsiness, fever for longer than 3 days, redness, swelling, or rash, ongoing headache, or pain, cough, or sinus congestion lasting more than 7 days.
• Seek care if you have difficulty breathing or chest pain, confusion or trouble staying awake, a high fever that doesn't respond to medication, or severe dehydration or persistent vomiting.

Alternatives

• Coricidin
• Robitussin
• DayQuil Liquid