Winter in Malta often brings seasonal ailments like the common cold and influenza, which can disrupt your daily routine. Panadol Cold & Flu is a trusted multi-symptom relief medicine widely available in Maltese pharmacies to help manage these bothersome symptoms.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to use this medication safely, following the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) and Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) guidelines, to ensure you get the relief you need while staying informed.

What Is Panadol Cold & Flu?

Panadol Cold & Flu is specifically indicated for the symptomatic relief of nasal congestion when it occurs alongside fever and/or pain. It is suitable for adults and adolescents aged 12 to 18 years.

Active Ingredients

The effectiveness of Panadol Cold & Flu comes from its bilayer film-coated tablet formulation, which contains two primary active ingredients:

• Paracetamol (500 mg): A well-known analgesic (painkiller) and antipyretic (fever reducer).
• Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride (30 mg): A decongestant that helps unblock your nose and sinuses.

Panadol Cold & Flu Dosage: Correct Posology

To ensure safety and effectiveness, you must follow the correct dosage instructions. Always use the lowest dose necessary for the shortest possible duration.

Age Group	Recommended Dosage	Maximum Daily Limit
Adults & Elderly	2 tablets, up to 3 times daily.	6 tablets in 24 hours.
Adolescents (16-18 yrs)	1 to 2 tablets, up to 3 times daily.	6 tablets in 24 hours.
Adolescents (12-15 yrs)	1 tablet, up to 3 times daily.	3 tablets in 24 hours.

Important Usage Rules:

• Frequency: Do not repeat a dose more frequently than every 4 hours.
• Maximum Duration: Do not use this product for more than 5 days without seeking medical advice.
• Method: Tablets should be swallowed whole with water.
• Do not take anything else containing paracetamol while taking this medicine.

Safety Warnings and Contraindications

It is vital to know when this medication is not suitable for you.

Do Not Take Panadol Cold & Flu if you have:

• If you are allergic to paracetamol, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride or any of the other ingredients in the product (listed in section 6).
• If you are taking other sympathomimetics (such as decongestants, tricyclic antidepressants).
• If you have very high blood pressure (severe hypertension) or hypertension not controlled by your medication.
• If you have overactive thyroid gland, enlarged prostate, heart problems, glaucoma (excessive pressure inside your eyes).
• If you have severe acute (sudden) or chronic (long term) kidney disease or kidney failure.
• If you have taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), usually prescribed for depression, in the last two weeks.
• If you are taking the drug moclobemide for depression, beta-blockers for high blood pressure, the oxazolidinone class of antibiotics (e.g. furazolidone or linezolid), appetite suppressants, stimulant drugs called amphetamines (sometimes used to treat attention deficit disorders or excessive sleepiness)
• If you develop a feverish generalised erythema associated with pustules, stop taking Panadol Cold & Flu and contact your doctor or seek medical attention immediately. See section 4.
• If you are under 12 years.
  

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

• Pregnancy: Panadol Cold & Flu is not recommended during pregnancy.
• Breastfeeding: It should not be used if you are breastfeeding, as pseudoephedrine is excreted in human milk.

Important Precautions

• Other Medications: Do not take this with any other paracetamol-containing products or other cold and flu medicines to avoid the risk of a dangerous overdose.
• Driving: This product can cause dizziness, which may impair your ability to drive or operate machinery.
• Alcohol: The hazard of a paracetamol overdose is greater in those with non-cirrhotic alcoholic liver disease.

Potential Side Effects

While many people use this medicine without issues, some side effects can occur, including:

• Common: Nervousness, insomnia, dizziness, and dry mouth.
• Rare: Skin rash, palpitations, or sudden severe headache (discontinue use immediately if these occur).

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Panadol Cold & Flu:

• If you are due to undergo general anaesthesia, or have liver disease, including alcoholic liver disease, or kidney problems, diabetes (too much sugar in your blood), psychosis (severe mental health problems in which the person loses contact with reality and is unable to think and judge clearly), irregular heart beat or phaeochromocytoma (a tumour near the kidney) You may need to avoid using this product altogether or limit the amount of paracetamol that you take.
• If you suffer from glutathione depletion due to metabolic deficiencies.
• If you are more than 60 years old, as there is increased possibility of unwanted effects.
• If you are taking medicines that affect your liver. 
  

Other Medicines & Panadol Cold & Flu

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines particularly:

• Anticoagulants (used to thin the blood, e.g. warfarin);
• Metoclopramide or domperidone (for nausea [feeling sick] or vomiting [being sick]);
• Clestyramine (to lower blood cholesterol);
• Medicines for high blood pressure; or vasoconstrictor agents such as ergot derivates (sometimes prescribed for migraine or hyperprolactinemia);
• Medicines for depression (tricyclic antidepressants e.g. amitriptyline);
• Sodium bicarbonate (used to treat indigestion and certain kidney conditions).
• In case of surgery, it is advisable to stop treatment at least 24 hours before.
• The pseudoephedrine content in this product may induce a positive reaction during antidoping control tests.
• Flucloxacillin (antibiotic), due to a serious risk of blood and fluid abnormality (high anion gap metabolic acidosis) that must have urgent treatment and which may occur particularly in case of severe renal impairment, sepsis (when bacteria and their toxins circulate in the blood leading to organ damage), malnutrition, chronic alcoholism, and if the maximum daily doses of paracetamol are used. 

Final Thoughts

Panadol Cold & Flu is a reliable option for managing multiple winter symptoms in Malta when used according to the official guidelines. If your symptoms persist for more than 5 days or if you have any underlying health conditions, always consult your pharmacist or doctor before use.

Important Notice: Always read the package leaflet and consult your medical professional for personalized advice. Note that Panadol Cold & Flu is a pharmaceutical product and may not be available for direct purchase on all online platforms.