ibuprofen + phenylephrine hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
NSAID painkiller plus sympathomimetic decongestant
Form
Film-coated tablet swallowed whole with water
Age restriction
The selected product is not licensed for children under 12
Avoid duplication
Check other cold, flu and pain products for NSAIDs or decongestants
What is ibuprofen + phenylephrine hydrochloride used for?
The selected product is licensed for symptomatic relief of colds and flu accompanied by congestion.
Aches and pains
Headache
Fever
Sore throat
Blocked nose and sinuses
How does ibuprofen + phenylephrine hydrochloride work?
Ibuprofen reduces prostaglandin production, helping lessen pain, inflammation and fever. Phenylephrine narrows nasal blood vessels, reducing swelling and congestion.
ibuprofen + phenylephrine hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 200 mg + 5 mg
How to take ibuprofen + phenylephrine hydrochloride
Follow the pack leaflet and swallow the tablets whole with water. Do not combine them with another NSAID or oral or nasal decongestant unless a healthcare professional confirms this is appropriate.
Check cold, flu and pain remedies for overlapping ingredients.
Do not crush or chew the film-coated tablets.
Seek advice if symptoms persist or worsen.
ibuprofen + phenylephrine hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- No effects are classified as common in the selected product information. Uncommon effects include indigestion, nausea, abdominal pain and headache.
- Rash, itching or hives can occur.
- Vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and wind are reported less often.
- Phenylephrine may cause palpitations, restlessness or raised blood pressure.
Get urgent medical advice
- Stomach or intestinal ulceration, bleeding or perforation
- Severe allergy, bronchospasm or worsening asthma
- Serious blistering, peeling or widespread skin reactions
- Kidney injury, fluid retention or severe electrolyte disturbance
- Chest pain, heart attack, stroke or abnormal heart rhythm
- Blood-cell, liver or aseptic meningitis reactions
ibuprofen + phenylephrine hydrochloride in pregnancy
Avoid this combination during pregnancy unless specifically advised by a clinician. Ibuprofen can affect fetal kidneys and amniotic fluid from 20 weeks and is contraindicated in the final trimester. Contact a doctor or midwife after unsupervised exposure from 20 weeks, particularly after repeated use.
ibuprofen + phenylephrine hydrochloride while breastfeeding
This combination is not recommended while breastfeeding because it contains an oral decongestant. Ibuprofen alone is generally a preferred NSAID during breastfeeding, but this does not establish the suitability of the combination; ask about alternatives.
ibuprofen + phenylephrine hydrochloride interactions
Check for interactions and duplicate ingredients, especially with cardiovascular, psychiatric or anticoagulant treatment.
MAO inhibitors
Contraindicated during treatment and for two weeks after stopping because phenylephrine may cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure.
Other NSAIDs, including naproxen and COX-2 inhibitors
Combining them increases gastrointestinal, kidney and other NSAID-related adverse effects.
Aspirin
Adverse effects may increase, and regular ibuprofen use may interfere with aspirin's antiplatelet action.
Common questions about ibuprofen + phenylephrine hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is ibuprofen + phenylephrine hydrochloride used for?
It relieves cold and flu symptoms when pain, fever or sore throat occurs alongside a blocked nose or sinus congestion.
Does it cure a cold or flu?
No. It relieves symptoms but does not eliminate the underlying viral infection.
Can I take it with another ibuprofen product?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.