The drug Grippostad® is a combination preparation of 4 active ingredients. It is produced in the form of capsules and swallowed with water. Each capsule contains 200 mg paracetamol, 150 mg vitamin C (= ascorbic acid), 2.5 mg chlorphenamine and 25 mg caffeine.
Fields of application
Grippostad® is used for simple colds to relieve pain, lower fever, reduce swelling of the nasal mucosa and prevent a weakening of the immune system due to a lack of vitamin C. The typical signs of a cold are sore throat, fever and chills, swelling/ inflammation of the nasal mucosa (= colds) and coughing. Headaches and aching limbs are also common. Adults have about 2-3 colds a year, but these get better quickly without medication.
The typical cold is usually caused by viruses. These cannot be killed by antibiotics like bacteria. Because there are generally few means to kill viruses in the human body and because a typical cold lasts only a few days, the disease is treated only symptomatically and not causally – i.e. not by fighting the pathogens.
When a cold is suspected in the elderly or chronically ill, the course of the disease should be carefully observed – it is often confused with influenza, which can be life-threatening for old and sick people. Grippostad® can be used in children from the age of 12 to alleviate the unpleasant symptoms until the disease subsides. If only some of the above symptoms occur, other medications should be considered, as Grippostad® is a fixed combination and is ideally used in a combination of these symptoms.
The use of Grippostad® for colds is based on the mode of action of the 4 active ingredients mentioned above. These are explained in more detail below: Paracetamol has a fever-reducing, pain-relieving and slightly anti-inflammatory effect. Today it is one of the most commonly used painkillers worldwide.
The most common reasons for taking paracetamol are mild to moderate pain (migraine and headaches, aching limbs, toothache, menstrual pain, joint pain) and fever. To date, however, the exact mechanism of action is not known despite the wide distribution of this drug. However, it is known to be involved in various mechanisms in the human body: it blocks the production of certain substances that increase inflammation – prostaglandins.
Furthermore, paracetamol influences nerve cells that are controlled by the transmitter substance serotonin and are important for pain sensitivity, among other things. An influence on the internal cannabinoid system (on which e.g. cannabis also acts) is also known, which probably explains part of the analgesic effect. These mechanisms of action differ from those of typical, light analgesics such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
Therefore, these substances are not clinically classified in the same group. The anti-inflammatory property of paracetamol is very weak compared to similar drugs. Nevertheless, it is used in many cases.
This is often due to its advantages over substances such as aspirin, such as no weakening of blood clotting and less frequent stomach ulcers. As in Grippostad®, paracetamol is often used in combination with caffeine. This increases its effect up to 1.7-fold.
This enhancement allows a reduction in the dose of paracetamol taken, thus reducing the occurrence of potential side effects. In addition to this supportive function, caffeine has a number of other effects on the human body, some of which can also occur after drinking coffee. In low doses (as in Grippostad®) it has a stimulating effect, stimulates the brain and thus leads to increased concentration and reduced fatigue.
It can have a positive effect on mood. In addition to these well-known effects, it can, for example, also increase the heart and respiratory rate and narrow or dilate blood vessels. These effects are caused by the accumulation of caffeine at certain receptor substances (“receptors”) in the brain, which normally have an inhibitory effect on the brain when activated.
However, when caffeine is attached to them, the natural activator of these receptors can no longer act. Thus, the brain indirectly experiences the described stimulation through a lack of inhibition. Vitamin C, like any vitamin, is a substance that cannot be produced by the human body itself and must therefore be taken in with food.With a balanced diet, which is characterized in particular by sufficient amounts of fruit and vegetables, there are usually no deficiency symptoms.
Vitamin C is found in particularly high amounts in citrus fruits, broccoli and peppers. Pregnant women and people who do not have a balanced diet suffer more frequently from vitamin C deficiency. American studies in recent years have described that up to 20% of the population there suffer at least from a slight vitamin C deficiency.
This manifests itself in various ways: bleeding in the skin and mucous membranes (especially on the gums), rough, flaky and dry skin, poorer wound healing, joint and limb pain, weakness and fatigue, increased infections and mood swings. These phenomena occur due to the wide range of functions of vitamin C. For example, it plays a role in the formation of the connective tissue of our body, which among other things ensures the stability of blood vessels. If it is produced incorrectly due to a vitamin C deficiency, bleeding and wound healing disorders can occur.
It is also needed in the production of amino acids – the building blocks of all proteins in the human body. As a result, the immune system is also dependent on vitamin C. A vitamin C dose can therefore stimulate the immune system in the event of an existing deficiency and thus support the body’s own immune system in fighting disease. It is also important for the absorption of iron from the intestines into the blood.
A vitamin deficiency can thus cause an iron deficiency, which in turn manifests itself through various symptoms such as paleness, limpness, tiredness, hair loss and brittle nails. The last important component chlorphenamine is a so-called antihistamine. These are substances that weaken the effect of the carrier substance histamine.
Histamine is an important component of the body’s natural defence reaction. If the effect is reduced, the body’s reaction to the pathogen is weakened, resulting in fewer signs of inflammation such as pain and swelling. The swelling is typically caused by a dilation of the vessels, which leads to a leakage of fluid from the vessels into the surrounding tissue.
Histamine is also known to be involved in allergic reactions and asthma – it causes redness, itching and swelling of the mucous membranes. Chlorphenamine is responsible for the swelling of the nasal mucous membranes when taking Grippostad®, which “clears” the nose and allows uninterrupted breathing. Grippostad® has no expectorant effect.
The ingredients of Grippostad® have a soothing effect only. The paracetamol contained in Grippostad® has an antipyretic and analgesic effect, the caffeine and chlorphenamine maleate have a stimulating effect and the ascorbic acid supports the immune system. All 4 active ingredients can cause typical symptoms when overdosed.
If these symptoms occur, you should consult a doctor immediately to prevent them from worsening. Overdosage with paracetamol manifests itself by nausea, vomiting, paleness and abdominal pain. The liver may be severely damaged.
These symptoms may improve although the liver damage continues to progress. Caffeine in excessively high doses can lead to disorders of the nervous system (e.g. strong euphoria) as well as cause tremors and cardiac arrhythmia. Vitamin C can cause diarrhea if the amount absorbed is not absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract.
Chlorphenamine may cause a so-called “anticholinergic syndrome” when overdosed, in which the attenuating part of the nervous system functions worse due to the effect of the drug, and symptoms such as agitation, hallucinations, a dry mouth, wide pupils, fever and redness of the face may occur. Grippostad® is available in capsule form and as a hot drink in powder form. With a pack size of 24 capsules, they are available from 5-6 euros.
The Grippostad® hot drink is available for around 5-6 euros in a pack size of 10 sachets. Grippostad® is only available in pharmacies, not on prescription. This means that it is available in the pharmacy without a prescription from a doctor.
Grippostad® does not contain any prescription-only ingredients. No extreme side effects or interactions are therefore to be expected. Many other adverse effects can in principle occur without an overdose of Grippostad®.In most cases, however, side effects occur only very weakly or not at all.
Possible disorders include an irregular and too fast heartbeat, fatigue, drowsiness, insomnia and restlessness, gastrointestinal problems, headache, damage to the kidneys and liver and allergic reactions (such as rash, fever, swelling). Chlorphenamine, especially in combination with alcohol, can lead to a worsened reactivity and thus to an inability to drive. If strong side effects are observed, the medication should not be taken any longer.
If a capsule is forgotten to take, it should not be taken in addition to the next one – this can lead to increased occurrence of side effects. Fatigue usually does not occur when taking Grippostad®. Due to the caffeine and chlorphenamine maleate it should even lead to temporary wakefulness.
However, especially in combination with alcohol, Grippostad® can lead to fatigue and a delayed reaction. As a general rule, Grippostad® should not be taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The effect on the unborn child of individual components and combinations of active ingredients has not been clarified.
This applies in particular to paracetamol. In addition, portions of Grippostad® can pass into breast milk and act in the breastfed child, which is why nursing mothers are also advised not to take it. Other contraindications for taking Grippostad® are severe kidney and liver damage.
The risk of further damage to these organs or accumulation of the drug in the body is then greatly increased. Also with alcohol abuse Grippostad® should be avoided, since a liver damage can already be present. The use of Grippostad® in children under 12 years of age is not recommended.
If there are diseases that lead to an increased iron level in the blood, Grippostad® should only be taken with caution. Furthermore, care should be taken to ensure that no other paracetamol-containing drugs are taken while Grippostad® is being used. This increases the risk of the overdose described above and damage to the liver.
In case of allergies or hypersensitivity reactions to any of the components of Grippostad®, the drug should also not be taken. Grippostad® can alter the duration and potency of action of a variety of other medicines and can be influenced by many other medicines. It is therefore important to check the compatibility of Grippostad® with other medications.
For example, the effects of various sleeping pills, heart rate enhancers, nicotine, various antibiotics, psychotropic drugs, allergy medicines, the pill and alcohol can be altered by taking Grippostad®. In summary, Grippostad® is a relatively well-tolerated and safe preparation if the recommended dose is taken correctly. It can relieve cold symptoms well, but it may not necessarily speed up the healing process.
There are no known interactions between Grippostad® and the pill. The pill can therefore be taken as usual and protection is still guaranteed when taken at the same time. Interactions with the pill only exist with antibiotics and some other medicines.
This can be read more precisely in the package insert of the respective medication or the pill itself. If you have any questions, you can consult your pharmacist or treating doctor. Grippostad® and alcohol should not be taken together.
As the active ingredients in Grippostad® are broken down by the liver, the effect of Grippostad® may be enhanced and prolonged by alcohol. Therefore, it is not advisable to take Grippostad® at the same time.
