Alka-Seltzer Original - Pack of 20

Alka-Seltzer Original are effervescent tablets that dissolve in water to form a sparkling solution. The active substance is aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), an NSAID used to treat pain, reduce fever, and help with inflammation.

Relieves:

• Mild to moderate pain including headache, migraine, backache (including lumbago), nerve pain (neuralgia and sciatica), period pain, toothache and sore throat
• Symptoms of colds and influenza, including feverishness/high temperature
• Rheumatic pain (arthritis), muscular aches and pains, muscle tenderness and stiffness, strains and sprains

Pack size: 20 effervescent tablets (5 x 4 tablet pouches).

Always use this medicine exactly as described in the leaflet or as your pharmacist/doctor has told you.

Important: Tablets must always be dissolved in water before use.

Adults and children aged 16 years and over:

• Dissolve 2 tablets in half a glass (100ml) of water and drink.
• Repeat every 4 hours as required.
• Maximum: 8 tablets in 24 hours.

Do not use:

• Not recommended for children under 16 years.
• Do not take for more than 3 days in a row. If you do not get better, talk to your doctor.

If you take too many: seek urgent medical advice (go to A&E/contact a doctor immediately) and take the leaflet/packaging with you. 

Active ingredient (per tablet):

• Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) 324mg

Other ingredients:

• Sodium hydrogen carbonate
• Citric acid

High sodium content (important):

• Each tablet contains 477mg sodium (about 23.85% of the recommended maximum daily dietary sodium intake for an adult). 

Do not take Alka-Seltzer Original if you:

• Are allergic to aspirin, other salicylates, or any ingredients
• Have had hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. asthma, rhinitis, urticaria) caused by NSAIDs/salicylates
• Have severe kidney, liver or heart problems
• Have a bleeding disorder (e.g. haemophilia)
• Have (or have had) a stomach or duodenal ulcer
• Are taking high-dose methotrexate (15mg/week or more)
• Are pregnant or breast-feeding unless advised by a doctor

Speak to a doctor/pharmacist before use if you:

• Have asthma/tightness in the chest, gout/low uric acid excretion, regular stomach upsets, G6PD deficiency, or kidney/liver/heart/blood circulation problems
• Are about to have surgery (tell the doctor/surgeon you are taking aspirin)
• Need to limit salt intake (product is high in sodium)

Possible side effects (stop taking and seek urgent medical help if serious):

• Allergic reaction: difficulty breathing/swallowing, swelling of face/lips/throat/tongue, rash/itching/wheals
• Severe skin reactions (reddening, blistering of lips/eyes/mouth, skin peeling)
• Stomach ulcer/bleeding: black/tarry stools, vomiting, nausea/diarrhoea
• Dizziness or ringing in the ears
• Increased bleeding/bruising (nosebleeds, bleeding gums) or internal bleeding/anaemia
• Asthma attack/bronchospasm in aspirin-sensitive asthmatics
• Kidney problems; very rare changes in liver blood tests

Storage:

Store below 25°C, in a dry place, in the original carton. Do not use if the pouch is damaged or tablets are powdery/discoloured. Keep out of the sight and reach of children.