Can you take cold meds with prednisone?

[Kern1410]

Can you take cold meds with prednisone? I have only been on it a short time and I think I’m catching my husbands cold. Just my luck!

[SheffieldJane]

I am taking Lemsip having asked a Pharmacist. I think I have got the worst streaming cold that I have ever had. I have sneezed so much that I have hurt my ribs/ trapezium muscle.

[YuliK in reply to SheffieldJane]

Feel well quickly SJ. Honey and lemon tea should keep you on your feet.

Rubbing Vicks on your chest is good too.

Yulik🌹

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Probably fine provided it is paracetamol (acetaminophen or Tylenol) rather than NSAIDs like ibuprofen but still make sure you don't exceed the max. daily dose if combining things.

I have to say - I refuse to pay the money because they really don't make that much difference to me!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Just plain paracetamol as good as anything. That’s all most are anyway - with added lemon & honey - which most of us have in our kitchen cupboards - and as you say - an inflated price tag!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Rarely have any on the house - and only available from the pharmacies here at a silly price! I suffer, free ...

[Soraya_PMR]

Be aware that some cough medicines (Covonia) contain liquorice.

[GerriMc in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Is there a problem with liquorice?

[Soraya_PMR in reply to GerriMc]

“ Don't eat liquorice while taking prednisolone, however, as this can increase the amount of the medicine in your body”

From nhs.uk/conditions/steroid-t...

[GerriMc in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Didn’t know that, thank you! I’m partial to liquorice. Better give it a miss!

[Soraya_PMR in reply to GerriMc]

google.co.uk/amp/s/www.heal...

[stellafmdm in reply to Soraya_PMR]

And don't eat it if you are a coeliac as it is made with wheat flour!

[teesher in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Excessive liquorice can cause loss of potassium from the body.

[Soraya_PMR in reply to teesher]

A French GP I worked with said it was quite a problem in France with cardiac and BP patients. Apparently they’re rather keen on liquorice in France.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Or is he also confused? The French do lots of aniseed and fennel - which are different plants with similar tastes. They don't apparently enhance pred effects so are OK, just liquorice. Though I want to know if it is a steroid-sparer ...

[Soraya_PMR in reply to PMRpro]

Ooh that’s my secret question too!!!

[GerriMc in reply to teesher]

Thanks, didn’t know that either!

[HeronNS in reply to GerriMc]

Well, we don't know, Has anyone studied it? personally I loathe liquorice, so neither worries nor benefits for me!

[Hidden in reply to HeronNS]

I don't think there is anything about it being a steroid sparer. I was looking at interactions and BP meds dodgy too I think. I love licquorice. I came from near Pontefract so partial to a Pontefract cake. I tend not to have it because of the sugar content. I looked online for vegetarian, licquorice root free, sugar free liquorice..aniseed balls came up. Not the same.

[HeronNS in reply to Hidden]

Even if I liked liquorice I would avoid it because there is a history of brain haemorrhage in the family. It was recommended to me years ago by a naturopath who thought it would do my adrenals good. Sigh.

[Hidden in reply to HeronNS]

Oh dear. My dad thought I was trying to kill him when I bought him his Xmas bag of licquorice but I didn't know his meds clashed. He never gave me them back.

[jinasc]

Always check with your Pharmacist before taking anything new............also remember to tell them everything you are taking, either prescription or OTC.

My pharmacist is like a member of the family after 11 years.