What are Echinacea tablets?

Echinacea tablets contain the flowering plant echinacea. It’s a flowering plant that grows in the U.S. and Canada and is believed to act as a natural anti-viral medication. You may also see Echinacea referred to as the purple coneflower or black-eyed Susan. The leaves, stems, flowers, and roots are used to make echinacea tablet supplements that could help relieve the symptoms/infection of a cold or flu.

Echinacea tablets should be taken at the first sign of a cold or illness to help prevent its symptoms, though it will not necessarily stop you from getting a cold. It is an over the counter medication that can be found in most pharmacies and also in natural remedy shops. Although its effectiveness is debated there is evidence to suggest it is an effective way to prevent cold and flu symptoms and reduce the longevity of the cold.

You can buy Echinacea tablets online with e-Surgery and learn more about the product in our blog post on the Health Hub.

What are Echinacea tablets used for?

Echinacea tablets can be used to help prevent the flu, colds or viruses when you first experience symptoms.

Common cold symptoms come on gradually and can include:

a blocked or runny nose
a sore throat
headaches
muscle aches
coughs
sneezing
a raised temperature
pressure in your ears and face
loss of taste and smell

More information about the common cold and the flu are available on our blog post; ‘Just The Flu? How To Spot The Key Symptoms‘.

How do Echinacea tablets work?

Echinacea tablets containing echinacea extract do seem to have an effect on the immune system and your body’s defence against germs. Research shows it increases the number of white blood cells, which fight infections. The general conclusion is that echinacea had a very slight benefit in preventing colds.

How do I take Echinacea tablets?

When you buy Echinacea tablets online, or from your local pharmacy, take 1 tablet 3 times a day. Start at the first signs of a common cold.

Do not use Echinacea tablets for more than 10 days. Do not take more than the label tells you to. See your doctor or qualified healthcare practitioner if your condition worsens, you get a high fever while using this product or symptoms persist for more than 10 days.

Is there any reason I would not be able to take Echinacea tablets?

Do not take Echinacea tablets:

if you are allergic to Echinacea, other members of the same plant family (Asteraceae Compositae, such as daisies, marigolds or artichokes) or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
if you suffer frequent allergic reactions such as hives (urticaria), eczema, asthma
if you have tuberculosis
if you have a connective tissue disease with formation of clumps of cells (sarcoidosis) mainly occurring in the lymph nodes, lungs and liver
if you have an auto-immune disease such as inflammation of the connective tissue (collagenosis) or multiple sclerosis
if you have a condition that decreases your natural response to infection (eg HIV infection or AIDS)
if you are on therapy to reduce your natural response to infection (immunosuppression eg: chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer; history of organ or bone marrow transplant)
if you have a blood disorder involving the white blood cell system such as low white cell count due to bone marrow disorders (agranulocytosis) or blood cell cancer (leukaemia)
if you are already taking immunosuppressant medication such as ciclosporin or methotrexate.

Do Echinacea tablets react with any other medication?

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking medicines obtained without a prescription. Do not take Echinacea tablets if you are already taking immunosuppressant medication such as ciclosporin or methotrexate.

Do Echinacea tablets react with alcohol/food?

There are no known reactions between alcohol or food and Echinacea tablets.

What are the side effects of Echinacea tablets?

Like all medicines, when you buy Echinacea tablets they can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Please read the full list of possible side effects before you buy Echinacea tablets online in the echinacea tablet patient information leaflet.

Some possible side effects include:

allergic reactions such as swelling, hives, or rashes
swelling of the skin due to fluid
swelling of the facial area (Quincke’s oedema)
shrinking of the airways of the lungs with obstruction (bronchospasm)
asthma and life threatening reactions (anaphylactic shock)

The frequency of the side effects is not known.

Echinacea can trigger allergic reactions in some patients susceptible to allergies. Association with auto-immune diseases has been reported such as:

inflammation of the brain and spinal cord (disseminated encephalitis)
painful lumps on the shins (erythema nodosum)
low blood platelet count (immune thrombocytopenia)
destruction of blood cells by antibodies (Evans Syndrome)
dryness in the mouth and eye with kidney tubular dysfunction (Sjogren Syndrome)
A decrease in the number of white blood cells (leucopenia) may occur in long term use (more than 8 weeks)

Stop taking the product immediately if you experience any allergic reaction.

Can you take Echinacea tablets whilst pregnant?

Do not take Echinacea tablets if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, because there is no evidence that it is safe to do so.

How do I store Echinacea tablets?

When you buy Echinacea tablets online, or at your local pharmacy, store them as per instruction of the Echinacea tablet patient information leaflet, in a cool dry place.

Do not use the medication past the expiration date. When you buy Echinacea tablets online or any other medication please check the expiry date when it arrives to you in the post.

Can I buy Echinacea tablets online?

Yes, you can legally buy Echinacea tablets online from registered prescribers such as e-Surgery.

Whenever you buy Echinacea tablets online or any other medication, even if it is over the counter, make sure you check for the green GPhC logo on the bottom of each page of the website you are using.

You can use the GPhC website to check if a pharmacy is registered, this will ensure that when you buy Echinacea tablets online the medication is genuine.

Where can I get more information about Echinacea tablets online?

You can learn more about Echinacea tablets online in the Echinacea tablet patient information leaflet, which contains more useful information.

You can also use our completely free Ask-a-Pharmacist service to get health advice from a trained professional. We’re here to help!

If I order Echinacea tablets online, how will they be delivered?

e-Surgery uses Royal Mail delivery with choices starting from Royal Mail 48 tracked delivery, Royal Mail tracked 24 and Royal Mail 1 pm special delivery (discover more about e-Surgery delivery). When you buy Echinacea tablets online they will arrive in discreet, recyclable packaging at a delivery address of your choice.

Find out to recycle packaging from e-Surgery.

How do I dispose of Echinacea tablets bought online?

Whenever you buy Echinacea tablets online they will come in blister packs that are not currently recyclable, so once they have been used can be disposed of in a general waste bin. If the echinacea tablets are unfinished dispose of the medication safely and drop them off at a local pharmacy. Cardboard packaging and paper patient information leaflets are recyclable.

For any more information on the disposal of Echinacea tablets, you can use our free Ask-A-Pharmacist service.

If you buy Echinacea Tablets, how much will they cost?

Prices for Echinacea Tablets start at £1.95.

Are there any Interactions between Echinacea Tablets with alcohol and food?

You should avoid food and drink that contain caffeine when taking Echinacea Tablets. This is because caffeine may lower the effectiveness of the Echinacea Tablets. Alcohol may also affect the effectiveness of your Echinacea Tablets.

Are there any interactions between Echinacea Tablets and other drugs?

Drugs may affect the effectiveness of your Echinacea tablets, especially drugs containing caffeine. We advise our patients to consult with their GP or prescriber before mixing Echinacea Tablets with other medication. This is to ensure you receive the correct treatment for your condition. You can also use our free Ask a Pharmacist service!

Can you take painkillers with Echinacea Tablets?

Echinacea Tablets may increase an individual’s blood levels and the effects of medication such as paracetamol. If you are concerned about whether Echinacea Tablets will affect your treatment of painkillers, then you should consult your GP, or prescriber or use our free Ask a Pharmacist service.

Will Echinacea Tablets affect your contraception?

There is no evidence to suggest that Echinacea Tablets will inhibit the effectiveness of your contraception. However, if taken with certain oral contraceptives, Echinacea Tablets can cause light bleeding or spotting in women. This will not necessarily cause harm, but it may prove to be inconvenient.

What are the active ingredients in Echinacea Tablets?

The main active components of Echinacea Tablets are alkamides, polysaccharides and caffeic acid derivatives. These are the main components that have been discovered in Echinacea extracts.

Are there any side effects of Echinacea Tablets?

Side effects of Echinacea Tablets are rare, but side effects may include:

Headaches
Dizziness
Feeling sick
Constipation

Stomach ache
Skin irritations

If you use Echinacea tablets for a prolonged period, they may suppress your immune system or damage your liver. If you are concerned about either of these occurring or the previously mentioned side effects, please consult with your GP or prescriber.

You can also use our free Ask a Pharmacist service.

Are there any reasons why you would not be able to take Echinacea Tablets?

It is recommended that you do not take Echinacea Tablets alongside other medications that may affect your liver. Medications such as paracetamol should be avoided when taking Echinacea Tablets. You should consult with your GP or prescriber before mixing any medications, including Echinacea Tablets.

If you buy Echinacea Tablets online, what will the pack contain?

The Echinacea Tablets pack contains a patient information leaflet, which will detail instructions on how to take the medication. It will also contain a blister pack filled with individual Echinacea Tablets.

Can you crush your Echinacea Tablets?

We do not advise that you crush your Echinacea Tablets or any medication unless you have been advised otherwise by your GP or prescriber.

Is it safe to drive and take Echinacea Tablets?

We advise that our patients see how the Echinacea Tablets affect them before attempting to drive or operate heavy machinery.

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