Night Nurse & Night Nurse Capsules (Paracetamol, Promethazine Hydrochloride, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide)

Image of Night Nurse Liquid and Capsules on a night sky

Fast unbeatable strength cold & flu relief*1

Adults experience between 2 and 4 colds a year2, with cases most commonly occurring through the winter months3. Symptoms can be really irritating and may lead to patients having disturbed / poor sleep4.

For patients being kept awake by cold and flu, Night Nurse is formulated to relieve cold and flu symptoms at night and so aid restful sleep.

The Night Nurse formulation provides pharmacy strength multi-symptom relief:

  • Paracetamol: An analgesic that relieves headache, sore throat, and the aches, pains and fever associated with cold and flu
  • Promethazine Hydrochloride: A first-generation antihistamine that relieves rhinorrhoea (runny nose)
  • Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide: An antitussive that supresses dry coughs.

*OTC medicines only

Image of a body showing Night Nurse ingredients and which symptoms they relieve

Benefits of Multi-symptom Relief Products

The type and severity of cold & flu symptoms can vary between individuals5, and some symptoms can persist for up to 10 days, occasionally longer5.

No single active ingredient can treat all symptoms of cold & flu, but multi-symptom remedies such as Night Nurse combine ingredients for patient convenience and can simplify therapy5 when taken as directed.

Night Sky with “keep antibiotics working” written on top

Antibiotics are ineffective for cold & flu viruses5

Colds are the most common self-treatable condition in the UK6, however a recent survey found that only 63% of consumers felt confident to self-care for the common cold, compared to 81% in 20236.

Patients may come into the pharmacy for guidance on how to treat their symptoms. It is important to remind patients that antibiotics are ineffective for cold & flu viruses5, and that there are other suitable treatments available for their symptoms.

Alongside OTC medication, many healthcare professionals advise that patients should drink plenty of fluids, and try to rest / sleep7, since this is generally thought to help regulate the immune system and accelerate recovery.7

Since sleep is widely considered to be important for recovery, reducing symptoms that disrupt sleep may also be a key driver for promoting recovery.7

Boxing glove in the night Sky holding both formats of Night Nurse

A choice of formats for patient preference

Night Nurse is available in a choice of capsule or liquid formats to suit patient preference.

Both formats are only available at the pharmacy counter and are suitable to recommend to adults and children 16 years and over.

Recommend Night Nurse for pharmacy strength cold and flu relief.

Recommend Night Nurse to help your customers find effective relief for their cold and flu symptoms at night

  • Product Information - Night Nurse / Night Nurse Capsules

    Full information can be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics.

    Night Nurse / Night Nurse Capsules (paracetamol, promethazine hydrochloride, dextromethorphan hydrobromide). Indications: Symptomatic relief of colds, chills and influenza at night. Dosage: Adults and children 16 years and over: 20 ml or 2 capsules before bed. Maximum daily dose: Only one dose should be taken per night. Allow at least four hours between taking any paracetamol-containing product and this product. Do not take if you have already taken 4 doses of a paracetamol containing product during the day. Max duration of use is 3 days. Not to be given to children under 16 years except on medical advice. Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to the active ingredients or any of the excipients. Patients with or at risk of developing respiratory failure and patients taking or have taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) in the last two weeks. Warnings and precautions: Contains paracetamol. Avoid use of other antihistamine-, paracetamol- and decongestant-containing preparations, including topical and cough and cold medicines. Medical advice must be sought for patients with severe hepatic or renal impairment, chronic or persistent cough, cough accompanied by excessive secretions, narrow angle glaucoma, cardiovascular problems, prostatic hypertrophy, urinary retention, epilepsy. Caution regarding paracetamol, if used at therapeutic doses for a prolonged period or administered concomitantly with flucloxacillin due to increased risk of high anion gap metabolic acidosis (HAGMA), particularly in patients with severe renal impairment, sepsis, malnutrition and other sources of glutathione deficiency (e.g. chronic alcoholism). If suspected, discontinue use promptly and monitor closely, including measurement of urinary 5-oxoproline. Also seek medical advice for those taking tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, CNS depressants and anticholinergics. Use with caution in elderly. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency (Night Nurse Capsules only) or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine. Avoid alcohol. Prolonged use may lead to addiction, even at therapeutic doses. Cases of dextromethorphan abuse and dependence have been reported. Concomitant use with serotonergic agents can result in serotonergic effects, including serotonin syndrome, which should trigger discontinuation of the product. Caution should be exercised in patients who are slow metabolizers of CYP2D6 or use CYP2D6 inhibitors. Medical advice should be sought if symptoms persist, or are accompanied by high fever, skin rash or persistent headache. May cause urine pregnancy tests to produce false results. Phenothiazines can prolong the QT interval, use with caution in patients with pronounced bradycardia, cardiovascular disease, with hereditary form of QT interval and use with other products leading to QT prolongation. Liquid only: Contains 18% v/v ethanol per dose - Harmful for those suffering from alcoholism. Contains 12.8g glucose and 3mg sodium per dose - Caution must be taken in patients with diabetes mellitus and those who are on a low sodium diet. Side effects: Promethazine: Very common: Drowsiness. Common: psychomotor impairment, disturbance in attention, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, dry mouth. Dextromethorphan: Uncommon: Drowsiness, dizziness, gastrointestinal disturbance, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort. Other side effects listed in the SPC, including those for paracetamol, have an unknown frequency. See SPC for full details. Legal category: P. Product licence number: PL 44673/0070, 0071 MAH: Haleon UK Trading Limited, The Heights, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY, U.K. RRP (excl. VAT): Liquid: £9.16. Capsules: £6.54 Text prepared: Jan 2026.

Understanding more about Cold & Flu

Patient care resources icon

Patient care resources

Download resources for your patients.

Access now

Image of pharmacist talking to patient

Learning Lab

Access educational resources to build your knowledge and skills.

Access now

Sign up icon

Sign up for updates

For news, updates and more, click the link below to sign up and be on our mailing list.

Register now