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Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet
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Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet

Manufactured byPROCTER & GAMBLE HYGIENE & HEALTHCARE LTD
ContainsCaffeine (30 mg) + Diphenhydramine (25 mg) + Paracetamol (500 mg) + Phenylephrine (5 mg)
Description
Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet is a combination of Caffeine, Diphenhydramine, Paracetamol, and Phenylephrine. It is used to treat common cold symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, cough, watery eyes, and nasal congestion, etc. Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet may cause some common side effects such as diarrhoea, nausea, dryness in the mouth, and headache. This medicine may cause dizziness or sleepiness. Avoid driving vehicles or operating machines if you feel dizzy or sleepy after taking this medicine. Seek your doctor's consultation if these side effects do not resolve with time or worsen. Avoid taking this medicine if you are allergic to it. Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet can be taken with food to avoid an upset stomach. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of this medicine based on the severity of your medical condition. If you stop treatment early, your symptoms may reoccur and worsen your condition. Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet should be used with caution if you have problems related to liver, kidney, heart or asthma. Avoid consuming alcohol while on Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet therapy as it may increase the risk of dizziness or stomach bleeding. Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet may interact with other medicines. Inform your doctor about the medications you take. Also, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or are breastfeeding.
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Side effectsConcernsUsage

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet

  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Skin rash
  • Dark or clay coloured stools
  • Tiredness
  • Loose stools
  • Bloody and cloudy urine
  • Stomach discomfort
  • Dry mouth
  • Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Heart rhythm disorders
  • Visual disturbances
  • Increase in the blood pressure
  • Nasal irritation
  • Difficult or painful urination

Uses of Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet

What is it prescribed for?

  • Common Cold
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • How long does it take for this medicine to take effect?
    Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet may start showing its action within 1 hour of taking it.
  • How long do the effects of this medicine last?
    The duration for which Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet remains active in your body is not known.
  • Is it safe to consume alcohol while taking this medicine?
    Use of alcohol along with Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet is not recommended since the combination increases the risk of side effects like driving vehicles or operating machines if you consume alcohol with this medicine.
  • Is this a habit forming medicine?
    Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet has no habit-forming tendency.
  • Can this medicine be taken during pregnancy?
    Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet is not recommended for use in pregnant women as it may affect your foetus.
  • Can this medicine be taken while breast-feeding?
    Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet is not recommended if you are breastfeeding as it contains Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, which can pass into the breast milk and may harm your baby. Hence, it is advised to consult your doctor before breastfeeding if this medicine is being taken.

Allergy

Avoid using Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet if you are allergic to it. Contact your doctor and seek medical attention immediately if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling anywhere in your body, dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.

Kidney damage

Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet is not recommended if you have severe kidney problems as it may worsen your kidney condition due to the accumulation of this medicine in the kidneys.

Severe liver disease

Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet gets broken down in the liver. Higher doses of this medicine may cause liver damage. Therefore, Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet is generally not recommended if you have severe liver problem because it can further increase the risk of liver damage.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet is not recommended for use if you have benign prostatic hyperplasia (an enlarged prostate gland that is located below the urinary bladder in men) since taking this medicine may cause increased difficulty in passing urine.

Cardiovascular Disease

Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet usage is not recommended if you have cardiovascular diseases for prolonged time. It may lead to increased heart rates, low blood pressure, and changes in electrocardiogram (ECG). The risk is especially higher in elderly people.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet is not recommended for use in pregnant women as it may affect your foetus.

Breast-feeding

Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet is not recommended if you are breastfeeding as it contains Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, which can pass into the breast milk and may harm your baby. Hence, it is advised to consult your doctor before breastfeeding if this medicine is being taken.
General warnings

Overdose and/or excessive use

Paracetamol poisoning is caused by the excessive use of Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet. It results in liver damage. Use this medicine as advised by your doctor/pharmacist.

Chronic malnutrition

Malnutrition and fasting can increase the risk of Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet toxicity. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine if needed based on your body weight.

Pediatric use

Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet should not be used to induce sleep in children less than 12 years of age,

Duration of therapy

Do not take Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet for more than 7 days without consulting your doctor.

Driving or operate a machine

Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet may cause dizziness or drowsiness. It is advised that you do not perform activities like driving vehicles or operating machines after taking this medicine.

Missed Dose

If you missed a Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet dose, make sure that you remember to take your next dose when it is due. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Overdose

Avoid the overdose of Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet. If you suspect that you might have taken an overdose of this medicine, seek medical attention at the earliest.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

N/A

Instructions

Use of alcohol along with Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet is not recommended since the combination increases the risk of side effects like driving vehicles or operating machines if you consume alcohol with this medicine.
Interaction with Medicine

Carbamazepine

Linezolid

Phenytoin

Sodium Nitrite

Leflunomide

Prilocaine

Antidiabetic drugs

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Antidepressants

Beta blockers

Disease interactions

Depression

Use of Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet is not recommended if you have depression since it may worsen the symptoms and may result in suicidal behaviour or ideation (suicidal thoughts or ideas). You will be closely monitored for any changes in mood or behaviour while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be done by your doctor.

Diabetes

Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet should be used with caution if you have diabetes due to the increased risk of high blood sugars.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions

5-HIAA Urine Test

Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet can interfere with urine test and may give a false-positive result. It is advised to inform the doctor and lab technician about all your current medicines before undergoing any lab test.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.
Take the Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not increase the dosage or take it for a longer period than recommended. Inform your doctor if you take any other medications for the common cold. Call your doctor if your symptoms have not improved within seven days of treatment or if you develop a fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat, severe dizziness or anxiety, severe headache, fever, or rash. Inform your doctor if you take any antidepressants (medicines used in the treatment of depression).
Miscelleneous

To be taken after food

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
Vicks Action 500 Advanced Tablet is a combination of Caffeine, Diphenhydramine, Paracetamol and Phenylephrine. Caffeine increases the activity of your brain and nervous system. This helps in keeping you awake and alert. Paracetamol works by preventing the formation of prostaglandin, the chemical responsible for pain and fever. Phenylephrine acts on the blood vessels in the nose and helps in relieving congestion. Diphenhydramine works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in your body that causes allergic symptoms.
Legal Status

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

Classification

Category

Antihistamines, Nasal Decongestant, CNS stimulants

Schedule

Schedule H

Drugs, H., 2021. Phenylephrine: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 19 August 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a606008.html>

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Paracetamol Tablets 500mg - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 19 August 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1958/smpc>

Topics, H., 2021. Caffeine: MedlinePlus. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 8 September 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/caffeine.html>

Drugs, H., 2021. Diphenhydramine: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 29 September 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682539.html>
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Information on this page was last updated on 27 Oct 2021

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