• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
NHS issues warning over common medication used by millions in winter

Home> News> Health

Published 12:34 22 Nov 2024 GMT

NHS issues warning over common medication used by millions in winter

It's commonly used in the cold months by millions of Brits

Tom Earnshaw

Tom Earnshaw

The NHS has issued a warning to Brits over medicine used by millions of people in the winter months.

As temperatures drop and bugs spread, it is quite common to feel a little run down while your body fights off the odd cold and, occasionally, something a little more serious.

But one common medicine taken by millions of Brits to help battle feeling rather groggy in the autumn and winter freeze comes with a warning, the health service has explained.

We're talking about decongestants.

Advert

They're an incredibly common form of medicine that you can buy over the counter. There's no need for a prescription.

Usually in a nasal spray or a tablet, they help clear your sinuses and that annoying stuffy nose that has made the simple act of breathing really annoying. Providing instant relief to some, they have widespread use due to how effective and cheap they can be in helping you with the niggling health problems.

Hay fever sufferers will also know what I'm on about, as well as people who suffer from minor allergic reactions. The sprays a godsend when having a particularly bad flare up.

Nasal sprays are a common way to administer a decongestant (Getty Stock Images)
Nasal sprays are a common way to administer a decongestant (Getty Stock Images)

But given they aren't prescribed by a doctor, using a decongestant comes with a warning, the NHS explains.

Advert

And that's because many people don't read the paperwork that comes in the box you buy the medicine in.

"They should not be used by the following groups of people without getting advice from a pharmacist or GP first," the NHS explains.

Issuing a list of list who should not take decongestants, the NHS warns against consuming them if you are taking over medicines; have diabetes; have high blood pressure (hypertension); have an overactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism); have an enlarged prostate; have liver, kidney, heart or circulation problems; or have increased pressure in the eye glaucoma.

On top of that, you should not be using them on children under the age of six and for kids aged six to 11, usage should be for no more than five days in a row before consulting a pharmacist or doctor.

Decongestants can be vital in helping you when you feel run down and bunged up (Getty Stock Images)
Decongestants can be vital in helping you when you feel run down and bunged up (Getty Stock Images)

Advert

For those who are pregnant, only take them 'if told to by a healthcare professional', the NHS recommends.

And for mums, the NHS says: "Decongestants that come as tablets, liquids or powders that you swallow are not recommended if you're breastfeeding."

If in doubt, read the small print, especially since some products may just contain decongestant medicine, but others are sold as 'all-in-one' remedies that contain decongestants, painkillers or antihistamines.

They come in tablet form too (Getty Stock Images)
They come in tablet form too (Getty Stock Images)

Side effects of decongestants

Decongestant medicines do not usually have side effects, and any side effects you may experience are usually mild.

Advert

Possible side effects can include feeling sleepy (look for non-drowsy medicines); irritation of the lining of your nose; and headaches.

Other things you could experience are feeling or being sick; a dry mouth; feeling restless or agitated; and getting a rash.

The NHS says: "Ask a pharmacist or GP before taking decongestants if you're taking other medicines.

"Decongestants can increase or decrease the effect of some other medicines."

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images

Topics: Drugs, Health, NHS, UK News

Tom Earnshaw
Tom Earnshaw

Tom joined LADbible Group in 2024, currently working as SEO Lead across all brands including LADbible, UNILAD, SPORTbible, Tyla, UNILAD Tech, and GAMINGbible. He moved to the company from Reach plc where he enjoyed spells as a content editor and senior reporter for one of the country's most-read local news brands, LancsLive. When he's not in work, Tom spends his adult life as a suffering Manchester United supporter after a childhood filled with trebles and Premier League titles. You can't have it all forever, I suppose.

X

@TREarnshaw

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Donald Trump demands 'facts' on Joe Biden's cancer diagnosis in shock statement to White House

    Classy as always, Donald

    News
  • 2 hours ago

    Brit, 21, faces decades 'rotting behind bars' in Sri Lanka after 'trying to smuggle £1.2million worth of drugs'

    Charlotte May Lee was found with 46kg of a highly addictive illegal substance in her luggage

    News
  • 2 hours ago

    Diddy’s former assistant details his gruelling work schedule for rapper as he testifies in trial

    He claims he was sometimes expected to work three weeks straight

    News
  • 3 hours ago

    Disturbing new pictures from Diddy's hotel room the day he was arrested released to public as trial continues

    The rapper was first arrested back in September 2024

    News
  • NHS warning over symptoms of rare disorder that could be mistaken for the flu
  • NHS issues ‘act fast’ warning to stop medical emergency that ‘kills two million brain cells a minute’
  • Urgent warning to people who had brutal winter vomiting bug issued by UK health agency
  • Common symptoms of ‘brutal illness’ sweeping UK as NHS issues guidance of what to do if you have it