Lemsip Max Day & Night Cold & Flu Relief -full pack capsules

What Are Lemsip Max Day Night Cold Flu Capsules?

Feeling rough with a cold or flu is never fun — blocked nose, pounding head, sore throat, and the kind of fatigue that makes even getting off the sofa feel like an achievement. Lemsip Max Day Night cold flu capsules are designed to tackle exactly that, offering targeted relief around the clock. The pack contains two types of capsule: day capsules to keep you functioning during waking hours, and night capsules to help you rest when symptoms are at their most disruptive. If you're looking for more options to manage cold and flu symptoms, browse our cold and flu collection for a wider range of remedies.

Each capsule is taken orally and works through a combination of active ingredients chosen specifically for daytime or night-time use. The product is available over the counter (OTC) in the UK, meaning you don't need a prescription to purchase it. It is suitable for adults and young people aged 16 and over.

How Do Lemsip Max Day & Night Capsules Work?

The day and night capsules each contain paracetamol 500 mg as the core analgesic and antipyretic — that's the ingredient that lowers your temperature and eases headache and body aches. Beyond that, the two capsule types diverge:

• Day capsules also contain phenylephrine hydrochloride 6.1 mg, a sympathomimetic decongestant that narrows blood vessels in the nasal lining, reducing swelling and congestion so you can breathe more easily.
• Night capsules replace phenylephrine with diphenhydramine hydrochloride 25 mg, a first-generation antihistamine. Diphenhydramine crosses the blood-brain barrier and causes sedation, helping you drift off despite uncomfortable symptoms.
• Paracetamol acts centrally to raise the pain threshold and peripherally to reduce prostaglandin synthesis, which drives fever and inflammation.

This dual-formulation approach means you get decongestant support when you need to stay alert, and sedative support when you need to sleep — without taking a drowsy ingredient during the day.

Who Should Use Lemsip Max Day & Night Capsules?

These capsules are intended for adults and young people aged 16 and over who are experiencing the typical cluster of cold or flu symptoms. They're particularly useful if your symptoms are disrupting both your daytime productivity and your night-time sleep. That said, they're not right for everyone.

This product may suit you if you:

• Are aged 16 or over and experiencing cold or flu symptoms
• Have a blocked or runny nose alongside headache, fever, or sore throat
• Are struggling to sleep due to cold symptoms at night
• Want a convenient all-in-one pack rather than buying separate day and night remedies

It is not suitable for children under 16, people with certain heart conditions, those taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or anyone with a known hypersensitivity to any of the active ingredients. Always read the label carefully before use.

How Do Lemsip Max Day & Night Capsules Compare to Alternatives?

How Should You Store Lemsip Max Day & Night Capsules?

Store the capsules below 25°C in a dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep them out of the reach and sight of children at all times. Do not use the capsules after the expiry date printed on the pack — if in doubt, return them to your local pharmacy for safe disposal. If you're also managing other health concerns alongside a cold, our pain relief collection includes a range of analgesics 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 Is Lemsip Max Day & Night and What Is It Used For?

Lemsip Max Day & Night Cold & Flu Relief capsules are an OTC combination medicine used to relieve the symptoms of colds and influenza in adults and young people aged 16 and over. The pack contains two distinct capsule types — day capsules and night capsules — each formulated to address symptoms at different points in the day. Symptoms the product targets include headache, fever, nasal congestion, sore throat, and general aches and pains. The night capsules additionally help you sleep through discomfort, which is often one of the most frustrating aspects of being unwell.

What Do You Need to Know Before Using Lemsip Max Day & Night?

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

• You are under 16 years of age
• You are allergic to paracetamol, phenylephrine, diphenhydramine, or any other ingredient in the capsules
• You are taking or have taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) within the last 14 days
• You have severe high blood pressure (hypertension) or severe coronary artery disease
• You have closed-angle glaucoma
• You have difficulty passing urine (urinary retention)
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding without first consulting a doctor
• You have severe liver or kidney disease

Speak to your pharmacist or GP before use if you have thyroid disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate, or a history of epilepsy. The following medicines may interact with this product:

• Other paracetamol-containing medicines — risk of accidental overdose
• Tricyclic antidepressants and other sedatives — increased drowsiness with night capsules
• Beta-blockers and other antihypertensives — phenylephrine may reduce their effect
• Warfarin and other anticoagulants — regular paracetamol use may affect INR
• Other sympathomimetics (e.g. some nasal decongestant sprays) — additive cardiovascular effects

How Should You Use Lemsip Max Day & Night?

Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with your pack before taking these capsules. Follow these steps carefully:

1. Check the pack to confirm you are taking the correct capsule type — day or night.
2. Swallow 2 capsules whole with a full glass of water.
3. Do not chew or open the capsules.
4. For day capsules, take every 4 to 6 hours as needed during waking hours.
5. Take the night capsules only at bedtime — do not drive or operate machinery after taking them.
6. Do not take more than 8 day capsules and 2 night capsules in any 24-hour period.

What Are the Possible Side Effects of Lemsip Max Day & Night?

Like all medicines, these capsules can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them. If you're also managing sleep difficulties beyond cold symptoms, our sleep aid collection may offer additional support once you've recovered.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• Nausea or stomach upset
• Dry mouth (particularly with night capsules)
• Drowsiness or next-day grogginess (night capsules)
• Difficulty sleeping or restlessness (day capsules)
• Increased heart rate (palpitations)

Less common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• Headache (paradoxically, with overuse)
• Blurred vision
• Urinary retention — difficulty passing urine
• Skin rash or allergic reaction
• Raised blood pressure

Stop taking the capsules and seek immediate medical attention if you develop signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, or throat, difficulty breathing, or a severe skin rash. Paracetamol overdose is a medical emergency — if you suspect you or someone else has taken too much, go to A&E immediately even if you feel well, as liver damage may not be apparent for several days.

How Should You Store Lemsip Max Day & Night?

• Store below 25°C in a dry place away from direct heat and sunlight
• Keep the pack out of the reach and sight of children
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the carton
• Do not store in a bathroom or near a sink — moisture can degrade the capsules
• Return unused or expired medicines to your pharmacy for safe disposal — do not flush or bin them

If you're supporting your immune system during and after illness, you might also find our vitamins and supplements collection useful for products such as vitamin C and zinc.