‘Vicks Action 5oo Extra’ (extra refers to the variety of diseases that come bundled with it I suppose) is the best medicine by Procter & Gamble Hygiene And Health Care Limited, which can be used for the slowest method of homicide.
Vicks Action 5oo Extra Formula: Each uncoated tablet contains: Paracetamol I.P. 500mg., Phenylephrine Hydrochloride I.P. 10 mg., Caffeine Anhydrous I.P. 32 mg. Colour: Quinoline Yellow, Excipients q.s. Dosage: Adults: 1 tablet 4 times a day, Children: Consult a doctor, do not exceed 2 tablets a day (in divided doses). Not for under 6 years. Caution: Do not use with other paracetamol products. Overdose may be injurious to liver, consult a doctor promptly even if no symptoms appear. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. Store dry at room temperature. Ask a doctor if you: are pregnant/nursing, have 3 or more alcoholic drinks/day, have liver/kidney disease, take drugs for or have heart/thyroid disease, high blood pressure; take drugs for depression or Parkinson’s disease, or if symptoms last over 7 days. Failure to follow dosage/caution could result in serious consequences.
Disregarding the funniest aspect that a fever subsides within 7 days with out any medicines, let us consider the other statements. Anybody who is wise enough can easily understand what Procter & Gamble indirectly says- “Take this medicine at your own risk. We are not responsible if you die.” Yes, that is the ‘Vicks Action 500 extra’ trap.
Now let us study each ingredient of Vicks Action 500 and enlist its properties.
1) Paracetamol I.P.
Quantity: 500 mg
Paracetamol affects almost all the organs of human body. Continuous use of it proves to be lethal. Its harmful effects on human body include:
Neurological: Coma, dizziness, headache, dystonia
Gastrointestinal: Vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation
Respiratory: Alveolitis, coughing
Cardiac: Cardiac arrhythmias
Platelet/blood: Agranulocytosis, neuropenia, thrombocytopenia
Pancreas: Pancreatitis
Skin: Rashes
Paracetamol becomes very harmful when mixed with other medicinal products and intake of more than 10 g causes intensive liver damage in adults. Severe poisoning also leads to hepatic failure leading to haemorrhage and finally death.
People with severe renal or hepatic impairment, who take epileptic drugs like carbamazepine, phenobarbitone, phenytoin and those, which induce liver enzymes, who consume alcohol in regular amounts etc should strictly restrain from using Paracetamol.
2) Phenylephrine Hydrochloride I.P.
Quantity: 10 mg
Phenylephrine is used as a nasal decongestant and as a mydriatic in ophthalmic solutions. Even though no research has been conducted to analyse its effects on humans, a study conducted in rats showed that the use of Phenylephrine reduced the weight up to 15 percentage. Phenylephrine too comes with a variety of side effects. They induce chronic focal inflammation of liver, mononuclear cell leukaemia, epilepsy, stomach upsets, abdomen cramps and vomiting.
The substance is not recommended for people with severe hypertension, ventricular tachycardia, chromocytoma, and elderly patients with asterio-sclerosis CV.
3) Caffeine Anhydrous
Quantity: 32 mg
How many of my readers know that Caffeine Anhydrous is used as an insecticide?
It stimulates the Central Nervous System and gives a feeling of ecstasy, thus becoming one of the favourites of drug abusers. 32 mg of Caffeine Anhydrous is not that bad to be ignored. Its long term use results in memory loss, sleep disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, bipolar disorders, significantly increases the risk of miscarriage and causes hyper activity in children.
4) QuinolineYellow
Quantity: Unspecified
Ever wondered what is the need of colour for a medicine? Obviously to create more and more diseases. A harmful colouring agent QuinolineYellow that has been banned in USA, UK, EU, Japan and Canada due to health issues is amply added in Vicks Action 500 Extra. This colour increases levels of hyper activity and decreases levels of intelligence along with triggering allergic reactions (Centre For Science In Public Interest- June 30 2010).
A death has never been reported due to Vicks Action 500 Extra. It will never happen in the near future too. Thanks to the influence Procter & Gamble has. But my question is that, why should we kill ourselves to make these companies which cheat the ignorant people more richer? I am not against medicines, until they are used for the well being of the billions who inhabit the planet, irrespective of every divisions.
