1. What is the SymptomPakTM and why was it created?
2. What medications are included in the SymptomPakTM?
3. Why should I buy the SymptomPakTM?
4. How do you use the SymptomPakTM?
5. What happens if I use up one medication before the others?
6. Does the SymptomPakTM offer good value?
7. Can I use the SymptomPakTM for everyone in my family?
8. What is the importance of being “symptom specific?”
9. How does SymptomPakTM compare with other over-the-counter products?
10. Does the SymptomPakTM contain natural, herbal or homeopathic remedies?
11. What are the doses and warnings of the medications contained in the SymptomPakTM?
12. Is the SymptomPakTM safe for high blood pressure?
13. Can I take all 5 medications at once?
14. How can you combine the medications in the SymptomPakTM?
15. Is there a children’s liquid or chewable version of the SymptomPakTM?
16. Is the SymptomPakTM supported by Pharmacists and Physicians?
1. What is the SymptomPakTM and why was it created?
The SymptomPakTM is a revolutionary, new approach to over-the-counter cough, cold & flu therapy developed by a graduate pharmacy student at The University of Oklahoma. This system provides a simpler way for people to easily and accurately treat symptoms of the common cold, cough, fever, allergies and flu. While working as a pharmacist intern in various pharmacies, the inventor of SymptomPakTM noticed that many consumers had difficulty trying to make sense of the overwhelming number of products available to treat cold & flu symptoms. This inspired him to develop the SymptomPakTM; an over-the-counter medicine kit composed of 5 single active ingredient medications that can be used to selectively treat each individual’s unique symptoms as they occur.
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2. What medications are included in the SymptomPakTM?
The SymptomPak
TM includes 5 different medications. Each was carefully chosen to give the patient maximum flexibility in treating the cold and flu with FDA-approved medications. Further, each medication treats a different set of symptoms so there is no overlap or duplication. The 5 medications, classes and their indications are as follows:
- Acetaminophen - Analgesic (relieves pain and reduces fever)
- Chlorpheniramine - Antihistamine (relieves runny nose, itchy watery eyes and sneezing)
- Phenylephrine - Decongestant (relieves nasal congestion and sinus pressure)
- Guaifenesin - Expectorant (relieves chest congestion and makes coughs more productive)
- Dextromethorphan - Antitussive (suppresses cough)
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3. Why should I buy the SymptomPakTM?
- Flexibility: The 5 medications that are included in the SymptomPakTM are the same medications found in many popular over-the-counter cold and flu products. Most of these products are sold in various combinations containing one or more of these 5 medications. When you purchase one of these “combination” products, it is only logical to use it if you have the exact symptoms stated on the package. However, during the course of a cold or flu, some symptoms get better as others begin, so that same combination product will usually contain ingredients you do not need at that time. This exposes you to side-effects from the ingredients that are not needed. Some patients might return to a pharmacy to attempt to find a new combination product that matches their new set of symptoms. This is expensive and difficult. The SymptomPakTM allows you to have the necessary products and complete flexibility to use just the right ingredients at just the right time, for your specific symptoms.
- Treating Other Family Members: If someone else in your household has a different set of symptoms, you don’t need to purchase a new combination product just for that family member if you have the SymptomPakTM.
- Convenience: The SymptomPakTM provides you the medications you need to be ready for the onset of the cold or flu so you no longer need to make last minute trips to the store to find relief. It’s all there in the SymptomPakTM. But most importantly, the SymptomPakTM helps you treat your symptoms more accurately and safely because you take only what you need and nothing that you don’t.
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4. How do you use the SymptomPakTM?
The SymptomPakTM is easy to use. Simply read the indications on the label of each medication, and take only those medications that correspond with your symptoms. Read the dosage information and warnings found on each bottle, just as you would with any medication. The dosing is uniformly designed to be simple so you can easily take the correct medications at the right time. (see dosing chart)
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5. What happens if I use up one medication before the others?
The SymptomPakTM offers individual refill bottles, which you can purchase to replace bottles of medicine that have been used up. This allows you to conveniently maintain a stocked SymptomPakTM - ready for use at anytime.
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6. Does the SymptomPakTM offer good value?
The SymptomPakTM offers great value since you no longer need to purchase and collect multiple cold and flu combination products. This is a single product that has the flexibility to be used over and over, no matter what your specific symptoms are. In fact, the 5 medications found in the SymptomPakTM allow you to create more than 20 unique FDA approved therapies.
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7. Can I use the SymptomPakTM for everyone in my family?
The SymptomPakTM was designed so that it can be used by everyone in the household over the age of 6. Be sure to read the dosages and warnings of each medication to assure proper dosing and appropriate use of each medication for each person.
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8. What is the importance of being "symptom specific?"
Medical professionals and consumers are becoming increasingly concerned that consumers quite often take medications that they don’t need. Many times this is caused by the confusion consumers’ face when trying to decide among the many products offered containing various active ingredients. This is a special problem in the cough cold market, where there are hundreds of products, many of which contain three or four ingredients. It’s very important to take only the medications you need without taking additional, unnecessary medications. While these over-the-counter cold and flu medicines are generally recognized as safe and effective, it’s never a good idea to use any medication if it isn’t warranted by a specific symptom. Therein lays the unique and innovative benefit of the SymptomPakTM. With the SymptomPakTM, it’s easy to assure that you are taking exactly and only what you need, each and every time.
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9. How does SymptomPakTM compare with other over-the-counter products?
The SymptomPakTM contains the same effective ingredients as most of the cold and flu products you are familiar with. It’s important to realize that when treating your symptoms; the active ingredients are the key to relieving your symptoms, not the specific trade names. To see a list of popular medications and their corresponding active ingredients click this comparison chart link.
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10. Does the SymptomPakTM contain natural, herbal or homeopathic remedies?
The SymptomPakTM contains 5 established pharmaceutical medications used to treat the symptoms of the cold, cough or flu. This is not a natural, herbal or homeopathic product, but rather a safe and effective system containing actual FDA-approved medications that have a long history of being used to treat cold and flu symptoms. Each is known to be safe and effective for its indications.
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11. What are the doses and warnings of the medications contained in the SymptomPakTM?
As with any over-the-counter medication, it is very important to read the “Drug Facts” on the label to understand the critical information regarding proper dosing and warnings.
(see product information)
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12. Is the SymptomPakTM safe for high blood pressure?
If you have high blood pressure you should consult your doctor before using certain over-the-counter medications. The American Heart Association has discouraged the use of over-the-counter nasal decongestants such as pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine for patients with high blood pressure. The SymptomPakTM contains one bottle of phenylephrine. The other four medications in the SymptomPakTM are considered to be safe for patients with high blood pressure.
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13. Can I take all 5 medications in the SymptomPakTM together?
It’s very important that you take only the medications for the symptoms that you are currently experiencing. The SymptomPakTM is designed for you to accurately treat those specific symptoms.
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14. How can you combine the medications in the SymptomPakTM?
The FDA has approved the sale of over 20 different combinations of one or more the 5 ingredients in SymptomPakTM. Thus, you can generally combine them to treat your symptoms. It’s very important to decide which symptoms you are experiencing by reading the label of each product and taking the medications accordingly.
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15. Is there a children’s liquid or chewable version of the SymptomPakTM?
With all of the concern surrounding children’s cold and flu products, it makes perfect sense to treat children as safely and accurately as possible. The SymptomPakTM therapy method is even more important when treating children. Currently, there’s not a children’s version of the SymptomPakTM, but immediate plans are in place to produce this version as soon as possible. Please check back soon for all developments and updates regarding other versions of the SymptomPakTM.
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16. Is the SymptomPakTM supported by Pharmacists and Physicians?
There is tremendous support from Pharmacists and Physicians for the SymptomPakTM and its superior method of self-treatment. More and more medical professionals recognize the need for educating the consumer on the appropriate selection of ingredients to treat specific symptoms. The SymptomPakTM is endorsed and recommended by leading medical professionals. Please see their comments on: (Medical professional comments)
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