Lemsip and other remedies ‘have no effect’ on head cold
REMEDIES like Lemsip and Sudofed do not relieve symptoms of head colds, new NHS guidance suggests.
The advice from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said there was little to no evidence that oral decongestants help those suffering from sinusitis.
Those with sinus infections – characterised by a combination of stuffy noses and intense head pain – would be better off sticking with paracetamol, they said. They also said there is no reliable evidence that steam inhalation or warm face packs relieve symptoms.
GPS should also resist giving patients antibiotics, with the majority of cases caused by a viral infection. Studies suggest nine in 10 of patients who visit their GPS with sinusitis-like symptoms end up being given antibiotics.
Most cases clear up within two or three weeks without any treatment, bar paracetamol for the relief of pain or fever, the experts from Nice added.
“No evidence was found for using oral decongestants, antihistamines, mucolytics, steam inhalation, or warm face packs,” the new guidelines state.
Dr Tessa Lewis, chairman of the managing common infections committee, said: “Most people with sinus infections will recover in a couple of weeks without needing any antibiotics. Health professionals can help their patients cope with this infection and the sometimes unpleasant symptoms it can cause. They should tell them that they’ll probably be feeling this way for a while, and that unless they are very unwell, the best thing to do is to take paracetamol and ‘take it easy’.”
The guidance, developed with Public Health England, found limited evidence that saline sprays and nasal decongestants could relieve symptoms. GPS should avoid giving antibiotics unless the symptoms have lasted at least ten days, it says. Similarly, steroid inhalers could be considered if an illness had lingered this long.
Prof Gillian Leng, deputy chief executive at Noce, said: “Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest dangers to our health, which is why we must all work together to fight it. Our new guidance will help healthcare professionals to use antibiotics efficiently and only when they are really needed.”
‘We know that most people with sinus infections will recover in a couple of weeks without needing antibiotics’
John Smith, chief executive of the Proprietary Association of Great Britain, which represents the manufacturers of branded over-the-counter medicines, said: “Painkillers are an effective way to manage some of the symptoms of a sinus infection, such as a headache or pain around the eyes and forehead, but decongestants can also play an important role. There is a wide range of decongestants available – both in oral and nasal form, which provides choice for the individual based on their personal preference.”
The guidance goes on to say that those with signs of a more serious illness, for example, double vision or a severe headache, should be referred to hospital immediately.