Day & Night Nurse Capsules 24s

What Are Day and Night Nurse Capsules?

When a cold or flu hits, it rarely sticks to office hours. Symptoms like a blocked nose, sore throat, aching muscles, and a persistent cough can make the day feel impossible — and the night even worse. Day and night nurse capsules are a dual-format, over-the-counter cold and flu remedy designed to tackle symptoms around the clock. The pack contains two types of capsule: Day Nurse capsules to keep you functional during waking hours, and Night Nurse capsules to help you rest when it matters most. You can browse the full range of cold and flu treatments at our cold and flu collection.

Each 24-capsule pack gives you enough for a full course of treatment across several days. The formulation has been a trusted name in UK households for decades, and it remains one of the most recognised combination cold remedies available without a prescription.

How Do Day and Night Nurse Capsules Work?

The two capsule types work differently because your needs change throughout the day. Here is how each one functions:

• Day Nurse capsules contain three active ingredients: paracetamol (500 mg) to reduce fever and relieve pain, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (60 mg) to decongest the nasal passages, and dextromethorphan hydrobromide (15 mg) to suppress a dry, irritating cough.
• Night Nurse capsules also contain paracetamol (500 mg) and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (30 mg), but swap dextromethorphan for pholcodine (10 mg) — a cough suppressant — and add promethazine hydrochloride (10 mg), a sedating antihistamine that helps you drift off to sleep.
• Paracetamol works by blocking the production of prostaglandins in the brain, reducing both pain signals and fever.
• Pseudoephedrine acts as a sympathomimetic decongestant, narrowing blood vessels in the nasal lining to reduce swelling and congestion.
• The cough suppressants (dextromethorphan and pholcodine) act centrally on the cough reflex in the brain to reduce the urge to cough.

Who Should Use Day and Night Nurse Capsules?

These capsules are intended for adults and young people aged 12 and over who are experiencing the typical symptoms of a cold or flu. They are particularly useful if you need to stay alert and functional during the day while also getting adequate rest at night. That said, they are not suitable for everyone.

• Adults aged 18 and over with cold or flu symptoms
• Young people aged 12–17 (under adult supervision)
• Those experiencing a combination of symptoms — fever, congestion, cough, and aches — simultaneously
• People who struggle to sleep due to night-time cold symptoms

They are not suitable for children under 12, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those with certain medical conditions (see the patient information section below for full contraindications).

How Do Day and Night Nurse Capsules Compare to Other Cold Remedies?

How Should You Store Day and Night Nurse Capsules?

Store your day and night nurse capsules below 25°C in a dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep them in the original packaging so you can easily distinguish the Day and Night capsules. Always store medicines out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date printed on the pack. If you are also managing other health concerns alongside your cold, our vitamins and supplements collection includes immune-support options that may complement your recovery.

This product is a medicine. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using if you have an underlying medical condition or are taking other medicines.

What Are Day & Night Nurse Capsules and What Are They Used For?

Day & Night Nurse Capsules 24s are an over-the-counter combination medicine used to relieve the symptoms of colds and flu in adults and young people aged 12 and over. The pack contains two distinct capsule types — Day Nurse and Night Nurse — each formulated to address your symptoms at the appropriate time of day. Together, they target fever, nasal congestion, dry cough, sore throat, and general aches and pains. The NHS advises that most cold and flu symptoms can be managed at home with rest, fluids, and appropriate over-the-counter medicines.

What Do You Need to Know Before Using Day & Night Nurse Capsules?

Before taking these capsules, it is important to check whether they are appropriate for you. Do not take them if any of the following apply:

• You are under 12 years of age
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding
• You have severe high blood pressure (hypertension) or severe coronary artery disease
• You have liver or kidney problems
• You have an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
• You have glaucoma or difficulty passing urine (e.g. due to an enlarged prostate)
• You are taking or have taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) within the last 14 days
• You are allergic to any of the active or listed inactive ingredients

The following medicines may interact with Day & Night Nurse Capsules:

• Other paracetamol-containing products — risk of paracetamol overdose
• MAOIs and tricyclic antidepressants
• Other decongestants or sympathomimetic agents
• Sedatives, hypnotics, or alcohol — increased drowsiness risk with Night capsules
• Anticoagulants such as warfarin — paracetamol may enhance anticoagulant effect with prolonged use
• Beta-blockers — pseudoephedrine may reduce their effectiveness

How Should You Use Day & Night Nurse Capsules?

1. Check the pack carefully to identify the Day Nurse and Night Nurse capsules before taking any dose.
2. Swallow capsules whole with a full glass of water — do not chew or crush them.
3. Take Day Nurse capsules during waking hours only, at the intervals stated below.
4. Take Night Nurse capsules at bedtime only — do not take them during the day.
5. Do not take more than the recommended number of capsules in any 24-hour period.
6. Do not take alongside any other paracetamol-containing product.

If you are also dealing with a sore throat or ear discomfort alongside your cold, our ear, nose and throat collection has additional products that may help.

What Are the Possible Side Effects of Day & Night Nurse Capsules?

Like all medicines, Day & Night Nurse Capsules can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them. The Night capsules are more likely to cause drowsiness due to the promethazine content.

Common side effects:

• Drowsiness (particularly with Night capsules)
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Difficulty sleeping (paradoxically, in some individuals)

Less common side effects:

• Increased heart rate (palpitations)
• Headache
• Urinary retention (difficulty passing urine)
• Skin rash or allergic reaction
• Raised blood pressure

Stop taking the capsules and seek medical advice immediately if you experience signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, or throat, difficulty breathing, or a severe skin reaction. If you are concerned about pain relief more broadly, our pain relief collection includes a range of options suited to different needs.

How Should You Store Day & Night Nurse Capsules?

• Store below 25°C in a dry place away from direct heat and sunlight
• Keep in the original packaging to distinguish Day and Night capsules
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the carton
• Do not dispose of medicines via wastewater or household waste — return unused medicines to your pharmacy