Active Ingredients
Paracetamol (Acetaminophen), Phenylephrine Hydrochloride, and Chlorpheniramine Maleate
What Panadol CF Is Used For
Panadol CF is a combination medication formulated to provide relief of multiple cold and flu symptoms in adults and children over 12 years of age. This medication is indicated for:
- Nasal and sinus congestion
- Fever associated with colds and flu
- Headaches related to sinus pressure and congestion
- Sore throat
- Body aches and muscle pain
- Runny nose and sneezing
- Minor aches and pains associated with common cold
Paracetamol works by reducing fever and relieving pain through its action on pain receptors and the temperature-regulating center in the brain. Phenylephrine acts as a decongestant by narrowing blood vessels in the nasal passages, reducing swelling and congestion to improve breathing and relieve sinus pressure. Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine that helps dry up nasal secretions and reduces sneezing and runny nose. Clinical studies demonstrate that combination cold and flu medications provide more comprehensive symptom relief than single-ingredient products for patients experiencing multiple symptoms simultaneously.
Important Safety Information
Who Should NOT Take Panadol CF
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to paracetamol, phenylephrine, chlorpheniramine, or any ingredients in this product, have severe liver disease or liver failure, are currently taking other medications containing paracetamol, decongestants, or antihistamines, have severe high blood pressure or severe coronary artery disease, are taking or have taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) within the last 14 days, have narrow-angle glaucoma, have urinary retention or severe difficulty urinating, or are breastfeeding (antihistamines can pass into breast milk and may affect nursing infants).
Serious Warnings and Precautions
Liver Damage Risk from Paracetamol: Paracetamol can cause serious liver damage, including acute liver failure requiring transplantation or resulting in death, if too much is taken or if taken too frequently. Never exceed the recommended dose. Check all other medications you are taking to ensure they do not also contain paracetamol, as it is found in many over-the-counter cold, flu, sinus, and pain medications. Taking multiple products containing paracetamol simultaneously can easily lead to overdose.
Drinking alcohol while taking paracetamol significantly increases your risk of liver damage. If you regularly consume 3 or more alcoholic drinks per day, consult your doctor before taking this medication.
Decongestant Warnings: Phenylephrine can increase blood pressure and heart rate. Do not use this product if you have severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, or irregular heartbeat without first consulting your doctor. Stop use and seek immediate medical attention if you experience chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, or severe headache.
Do not use decongestants for more than 7 consecutive days. Prolonged use can lead to rebound congestion, where nasal congestion returns and worsens when the medication is stopped.
Antihistamine Warnings: Chlorpheniramine can cause drowsiness and impair mental alertness, even though this is marketed as a non-drowsy formulation. The drowsiness effect varies between individuals. Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform tasks requiring alertness until you know how this medication affects you. Avoid alcohol and other sedating medications while taking this product, as they can increase drowsiness. Antihistamines can cause urinary retention, particularly in men with enlarged prostate. They can also thicken bronchial secretions, which may worsen breathing problems in people with asthma or chronic lung disease.
Contact emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room immediately if you have taken more than the recommended dose, experience signs of overdose including nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, confusion, sweating, abdominal pain, or yellowing of skin or eyes, develop chest pain or rapid heartbeat, experience severe drowsiness or difficulty waking, have difficulty urinating or breathing, if fever persists for more than 3 days or exceeds 39.5°C, or if symptoms worsen or new symptoms appear.
Consult Your Doctor Before Use If You Have:
High blood pressure or heart disease, diabetes (decongestants can affect blood sugar levels), thyroid disease or hyperthyroidism, liver disease or impaired liver function, kidney disease, enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating, glaucoma, asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema, peptic ulcer, are pregnant or breastfeeding, have Gilbert's syndrome, are severely underweight or malnourished, regularly take warfarin or other blood-thinning medications, have G6PD deficiency, take any medications for depression or psychiatric conditions, or are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medications.
Common Side Effects
When used as directed, this combination medication is generally well-tolerated. However, some people may experience drowsiness or sleepiness (from chlorpheniramine), nervousness or restlessness (from phenylephrine), difficulty sleeping if taken close to bedtime, dizziness or lightheadedness, nausea or mild digestive upset, dry mouth, nose, or throat, headache, increased heart rate, mild increase in blood pressure, difficulty urinating (especially in older men), blurred vision, or constipation.
Serious side effects are rare but require immediate medical attention. Stop use and seek emergency care if you develop severe allergic reactions including difficulty breathing, severe skin reactions, facial or throat swelling, chest pain or pressure, fast or irregular heartbeat, severe headache or dizziness, hallucinations or severe confusion, seizures, difficulty urinating or inability to urinate, or signs of stroke including sudden numbness, weakness, or vision changes.
Drug Interactions
This combination medication can interact with several medications. Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking:
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or have stopped taking them within the past 14 days (can cause dangerous increases in blood pressure)
- Other cold, flu, or allergy medications containing decongestants, antihistamines, or paracetamol
- Sedatives, sleeping pills, or tranquilizers (increased drowsiness risk)
- Blood pressure medications (decongestants can reduce their effectiveness)
- Warfarin or other anticoagulants
- Medications that affect the liver
- Antidepressants, particularly MAOIs or tricyclic antidepressants
- Stimulant medications
- Medications for heart conditions or irregular heartbeat
- Diabetes medications
- Medications for glaucoma or urinary problems
- Any prescription or over-the-counter medications, vitamins, or herbal supplements
How to Take Panadol CF
Adults and children over 12 years should follow the specific dosing instructions on the product packaging. Typically, take 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed for symptom relief. Do not exceed the maximum daily dose specified on the packaging. Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water. Can be taken with or without food, though taking with food may help if stomach upset occurs. Space doses at least 4 hours apart.
Do not use this medication for more than 7 consecutive days for nasal congestion or more than 3 days for fever without consulting a doctor. If symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical advice rather than continuing to self-medicate. Due to the antihistamine component, some individuals may experience drowsiness. Assess your response to this medication before driving or operating machinery.
Based on our pharmacists' experience, patients managing cold and flu symptoms find it helpful to take this medication with food if they experience stomach sensitivity, stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day to help thin mucus and support recovery, avoid taking doses too close to bedtime if they experience difficulty sleeping from the decongestant component, and be cautious about activities requiring full alertness until they know how the antihistamine affects them individually. Patients with high blood pressure should monitor their blood pressure while using this product and discontinue use if blood pressure increases significantly. Those taking this medication must avoid other products containing decongestants, antihistamines, or paracetamol, including multi-symptom cold remedies, sinus medications, allergy medications, and pain relievers, to prevent accidental overdose.
What You Need to Know Before Starting Treatment
Not a Cure for Colds or Flu: While Panadol CF effectively relieves cold and flu symptoms, it does not treat the underlying viral infection or shorten the duration of illness. The medication provides symptomatic relief while your immune system fights the infection. Rest, adequate fluid intake, and good nutrition remain essential for recovery.
When Medical Evaluation Is Necessary: Most colds and flu resolve on their own within 7-10 days. However, seek medical attention if fever persists beyond 3 days or is very high (above 39.5°C), symptoms worsen after initial improvement, you develop severe headache or stiff neck, experience difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, have chest pain or pressure, develop persistent vomiting, cough up blood or thick green or yellow phlegm, experience confusion or extreme drowsiness, or if symptoms persist beyond 10 days without improvement.
Drowsiness Considerations: Although marketed as suitable for daytime use, the chlorpheniramine component can cause drowsiness in some individuals. The degree of drowsiness varies significantly between people. Start with a lower dose if possible to assess your individual response. Avoid alcohol and other sedating medications while using this product. If drowsiness is problematic, consider using a decongestant-only or paracetamol-only product instead.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Decongestants are generally not recommended during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, as they can reduce blood flow to the placenta. Antihistamines should also be avoided during pregnancy unless specifically recommended by your healthcare provider. Chlorpheniramine passes into breast milk and may affect nursing infants, potentially causing drowsiness or irritability. Consult your healthcare provider before using this combination medication during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Overlap with Other Medications: Cold and flu products often contain similar ingredients. Never take more than one medication containing paracetamol, decongestants, or antihistamines at the same time. Read all labels carefully. Common products that may contain these ingredients include sinus medications, allergy medications, pain relievers, cough syrups, nighttime cold remedies, and sleep aids. Using multiple products simultaneously can lead to serious overdose.
Specific Population Considerations: Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of antihistamines and decongestants, experiencing increased drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, or difficulty urinating. Men with enlarged prostate should use antihistamine-containing products with caution due to increased risk of urinary retention.
Storage Instructions
Store at room temperature below 25°C. Keep in original packaging until ready to use, protected from moisture and direct sunlight. Keep in a dry place. Keep out of reach and sight of children, as paracetamol overdose can be fatal and antihistamine overdose can cause serious complications in children. Do not use after the expiration date printed on the package. Do not transfer tablets to other containers. Dispose of expired or unused medication responsibly.
Accidental Overdose Information
Paracetamol overdose is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment. Even if you feel well after taking too much, serious liver damage can develop over 24-72 hours. Early treatment with the antidote N-acetylcysteine can prevent liver failure, but it is most effective when started within 8-10 hours of overdose.
Decongestant overdose can cause severe increases in blood pressure, rapid or irregular heartbeat, seizures, and other serious complications. Antihistamine overdose can cause severe drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, coma or death, particularly in children.
If overdose is suspected, call your local poison control center or emergency services immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Have the medication packaging available to provide specific information. Note the time of overdose and total amount taken, including any other medications taken in the past 24 hours. Do not attempt to make yourself vomit unless specifically instructed by medical professionals. Go to the nearest emergency room even if you feel fine.
Symptoms of paracetamol overdose may include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, sweating, confusion, abdominal pain especially in upper right side, jaundice, dark urine, unusual bleeding, and extreme tiredness. Symptoms of decongestant overdose may include severe headache, rapid or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, severe dizziness, tremor, or seizures. Symptoms of antihistamine overdose may include severe drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, flushed skin, dilated pupils, fever, seizures, or difficulty breathing.
Manufacturer Information
[Manufacturer name and details would be inserted here based on your specific product]
Regulatory Status: This medication is available over-the-counter for adults and children over 12 years of age.
Medical Review Notice: This product information should be reviewed by a licensed pharmacist or physician to ensure clinical accuracy and compliance with current prescribing guidelines. Patients should consult their healthcare provider or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.
Last Updated: [2.April.2026]