Night Nurse

What is Night Nurse?

Night Nurse helps relieve the persistent symptoms of colds and flu, allowing you to get a good night's sleep. 

You can buy Night Nurse online from Prescription Doctor’s trusted online pharmacy. All items are packaged discreetly before being dispatched from our UK-based pharmacy.

This medication, designed for night-time use, has three active ingredients:

• Paracetamol: A well-known and well-used analgesic (painkiller) and antipyretic (reduces fever).
• Promethazine hydrochloride: An antihistamine and sleep aid.
• Dextromethorphan hydrobromide: A cough suppressant.

Together, these ingredients help relieve the symptoms of colds and flu, allowing you to get a better night's sleep.

What are the common cold and the flu?

A cold is a highly common viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, typically lasting several days to weeks. The common cold can be transmitted to individuals through direct contact with infected surfaces or by exposure to infected water droplets in the air, which are released during coughing or sneezing. There is no known vaccine to prevent the virus which causes the common cold due to the speed at which the virus mutates.

Flu is a very contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza A or B viruses. It can be avoided by having the flu vaccine. It is essential to stay up to date with your flu vaccinations, particularly if you are at a higher risk of contracting the virus.

Colds and flu can be especially debilitating for people with underlying health conditions. This is particularly true if you have a weakened immune system or chronic respiratory conditions, such as asthma or COPD.

Many symptoms of cold and flu are identical, for example:

• Blocked or runny nose
• Coughing
• Headaches
• Muscular aches
• Sinus pressure
• Sneezing
• Sore throat

Symptoms of the flu, which tend to develop more rapidly than those of a cold, are generally more severe and likely to result in fever, with temperatures exceeding 38°C; fatigue; weakness; nausea; stomach pain or diarrhoea.

In and of themselves, the symptoms are not life-threatening. However, for some people, whose immune system may be weakened by an underlying health condition, the symptoms can lower the body's defences, allowing for conditions such as pneumonia to develop.

What’s more is that the symptoms can play havoc with pre-existing conditions, such as asthma and COPD. If you suffer from any respiratory illness, such as asthma, speak to your doctor or asthma Nurse for practical advice on managing your condition.

While no cure exists for cold or flu viruses, there are a number of treatments available to reduce your symptoms and help you to get on with your life. However, antibiotics, which are typically used to treat bacterial infections, are not effective at treating viruses. Taking antibiotics when you don't need them can cause them to be ineffective when you do need them.

While you are fighting a cold or the flu, it's essential to drink plenty of water and try to eat at regular intervals throughout the day. This can provide your body with the energy it needs to fight the infection.

If you are at risk of contracting the flu during the flu season, you may receive an annual letter from your doctor reminding you to receive a flu jab. It is essential to stay up-to-date with your immunisations by getting the flu jab, which is typically available from your doctor's surgery. It may also be available from your local pharmacy, though you may need to ask if they offer this service.

How Does Night Nurse work?

Night Nurse contains three active ingredients:

• Paracetamol, which reduces pain-inducing chemicals called prostaglandins, acts upon the hypothalamic heat-regulating centre of the brain to reduce fever.
• Promethazine hydrochloride is an antihistamine that helps to relieve a runny nose. It also has sedative properties to aid sleep.
• Dextromethorphan hydrobromide, which inhibits the feeling of needing to cough, is used in the event of respiratory tract infections.

How Do I Take Night Nurse?

Night Nurse is a once-nightly cold and flu remedy. Using the cap provided, measure and swallow 20 ml of Night Nurse before bed.

One dose of Night Nurse contains 1,000 mg of paracetamol. Do not take another paracetamol-containing product or cold and flu remedy within 4 hours of taking Night Nurse. Do not take more than 4,000 mg of paracetamol within 24 hours (this is usually equivalent to three doses of a daytime cold and flu remedy and one dose of Night Nurse). Always check the label of cold and flu treatments, seeking advice from your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.  

Do not use Night Nurse for more than three days. 

Night Nurse Side Effects and Cautions

Night Nurse can cause side effects, though not everyone will experience them. They may be more common in the elderly, but it’s a good idea to understand what to expect regardless of age.

Possible adverse reactions include:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Difficulty concentrating
• Unsteadiness
• Clumsiness
• Headache
• Dry mouth

If you experience any side effects of Night Nurse, you can report them to your clinician or use the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme. 

Serious Side Effects

Stop taking Night Nurse and tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, including skin rash, itching, swelling of the mouth or face, or shortness of breath
• Skin peeling or mouth ulcers
• Breathing problems 
• Unexplained bruising and bleeding
• Confusion, restlessness, excessive sweating, shaking
• Difficulty passing urine
• Nausea, vomiting, sudden weight loss, loss of appetite, and yellowing of the skin/eyes
• Nervousness

A more complete list of serious adverse reactions can be found within the Patient Information Leaflet. 

Night Nurse Warnings and Interactions

Night Nurse is an effective cold and flu treatment, but it may not be suitable for everyone. You should not use the medicine if you:

• Have ever had an allergic reaction to paracetamol, promethazine hydrochloride, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, or any of the other ingredients
• Have a chest infection, worsening asthma, or severe respiratory problems
• Are taking or have taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) in the last two weeks
• Are using other antihistamine-containing medicines

Precautions Before Taking Night Nurse

Speak with your clinician or doctor before taking the medicine if you:

• Have liver or kidney problems
• Have glaucoma, epilepsy, difficulty passing urine, or prostate issues
• Have a chronic or persistent cough with excessive phlegm or respiratory problems
• Have diabetes mellitus
• Are on a sodium-controlled diet
• Are taking medicines such as antidepressants or antipsychotics
• Have ever been addicted to opioids, alcohol, prescription medicines, or illegal drugs
• Have any serious heart problems
• Have any personal or family history of heart disease
• Have an irregular heartbeat 

Night Nurse and Other Medicines

You should inform your clinician or pharmacist of any other medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter and herbal remedies. This is especially important if you are using:

• Metoclopramide or domperidone (for nausea and vomiting)
• Colestyramine (to lower blood cholesterol) 
• Blood thinning drugs
• Medicines that give you blurred vision, dry mouth, or make you drowsy
• Medicines to help you sleep
• Anxiety or depression medication
• Quinidine or amiodarone (to control heart rhythm)

Please inform your doctor if you are taking flucloxacillin, because it carries a serious risk of blood and fluid abnormalities, including metabolic acidosis, which requires urgent treatment. 

When to Take Special Care

Night Nurse can cause dependence, so use it only for a short time. Signs of addiction to the medication include needing to take it for longer than advised, feeling like you need to take more than the recommended dose, and using it for more reasons than intended. If you notice these signs, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. More details can be found in the Patient Information Leaflet. 

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Other Safety Information

Please inform our pharmacists of all medications you are currently taking, including those prescribed by your doctor or purchased over-the-counter, as well as any health supplements.

Do not take Night Nurse past the expiry date printed on the packaging. The date refers to the last day of the indicated month.

Never throw away medicine via household or water waste. Take any unwanted or expired medicine to your local pharmacy and ask them to dispose of it safely on your behalf.

Always store Night Nurse out of sight and out of reach of children and pets.

Never share your medicine with anyone else, even if they are experiencing the same symptoms as you.

Paracetamol Warning

Night Nurse contains paracetamol. Each once-nightly dose contains 1,000 mg of paracetamol. Do not take another paracetamol-containing product or cold and flu remedy within 4 hours. Do not take more than 4,000 mg (4 grams) of paracetamol in 24 hours. Taking more paracetamol can lead to delayed liver damage. 

Frequently Asked Questions