Vegaskine Syrup — Updated & Scientifically Reviewed Drug Information
1. Disclaimer
This information is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the approved product leaflet, prescribing information, advice from a qualified physician or pharmacist, or instructions issued by the Egyptian Drug Authority or the product manufacturer. Drug formulations, indications, warnings, availability, and regulatory status may change, and the information below should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice or for making individual treatment decisions.
We do not guarantee the accuracy, currency or completeness of information regarding medications or medical products, and official sources should be verified before making any decisions. Readers are responsible for independently verifying the information before relying on it.
The information below refers specifically to Vegaskine Syrup containing paracetamol, chlorpheniramine maleate and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and should not be confused with other Vegaskine-branded formulations.
2. Summary
Vegaskine Syrup is an oral combination cold-symptom medicine manufactured by Alexandria Co. for Pharmaceuticals & Chemical Industries, Egypt. The formulation contains three active ingredients per 5 mL: paracetamol 120 mg, chlorpheniramine maleate 0.75 mg, and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 15 mg. The combination provides analgesic and antipyretic effects, reduces histamine-mediated symptoms such as sneezing and rhinorrhoea, and relieves nasal congestion through sympathomimetic vasoconstriction.
It is intended for symptomatic relief of common-cold/upper-respiratory symptoms rather than treatment of the underlying infectious cause.
The accessible product information specifies pediatric dosing for children aged 6–11 years and states that the product should not be used in children under 6 years. No independently verified current adult dosage for this specific Egyptian formulation was identified in the publicly accessible sources reviewed.
3. Brand Name
Vegaskine Syrup
A current Egyptian product listing identifies the product as Vegaskine Syrup 120 mL. International drug databases identify the Egyptian product as VEGASKINE syrup 2.4% + 0.015% + 0.3%, manufactured by Alexandria Co. for Pharmaceutical and Chemical Industries.
4. Category
Therapeutic category: Combination cold and upper-respiratory symptom preparation.
Pharmacological components:
- Analgesic and antipyretic — paracetamol.
- First-generation H1 antihistamine — chlorpheniramine maleate.
- Sympathomimetic nasal decongestant — pseudoephedrine hydrochloride.
The product is classified in international drug databases under ATC N02BE51: paracetamol, combinations excluding psycholeptics.
5. Active Ingredient
Each 5 mL contains:
- Paracetamol (acetaminophen), microfine — 120 mg
- Chlorpheniramine maleate — 0.75 mg
- Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride — 15 mg
The active-ingredient strengths are independently supported by the Alexandria product overview and the Egyptian product information available online.
6. Pharmaceutical Form & Strength
Dosage form: Oral syrup.
Strength per 5 mL:
- Paracetamol 120 mg
- Chlorpheniramine maleate 0.75 mg
- Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 15 mg
This corresponds to approximately:
- Paracetamol 2.4% w/v
- Chlorpheniramine maleate 0.015% w/v
- Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 0.3% w/v
Reported pack size: 120 mL. Older accessible product information also describes 100 mL and 120 mL amber-glass bottles. Current Egyptian market listings specifically identify the 120 mL presentation.
7. Manufacturer & Marketing Authorization Holder
Manufacturer: Alexandria Co. for Pharmaceuticals & Chemical Industries, Egypt.
The company's own publicly available product information lists Vegaskine Syrup among its products, and independent pharmaceutical databases also identify Alexandria as the laboratory/manufacturer.
Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH): The currently indexed public sources reviewed do not provide sufficiently reliable evidence to independently confirm a separate MAH designation for this specific product. Therefore, the manufacturer should not automatically be described as the MAH unless the current Egyptian registration record or approved product documentation confirms it.
8. Mechanism of Action
Paracetamol: Produces analgesic and antipyretic effects. Its precise mechanism is not completely established, but its pharmacological effects are believed to involve inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis predominantly within the central nervous system. It has relatively weak peripheral anti-inflammatory activity.
Chlorpheniramine: A first-generation H1-antihistamine that competitively antagonizes histamine at H1 receptors. It reduces histamine-mediated symptoms such as rhinorrhoea, sneezing and nasal/throat itching. It also has antimuscarinic properties and readily crosses the blood-brain barrier, which contributes to its sedating effects.
Pseudoephedrine: A sympathomimetic decongestant that produces vasoconstriction in the nasal mucosa, reducing mucosal oedema and improving nasal airflow and sinus drainage.
9. Spectrum of Activity
No antimicrobial spectrum.
Vegaskine is a symptomatic combination medicine. It does not have antibacterial, antiviral or antifungal activity and does not eradicate the infectious cause of a common cold.
Its functional spectrum is limited to:
- Reduction of fever and pain.
- Reduction of histamine-mediated nasal symptoms.
- Relief of nasal and sinus congestion.
10. Pharmacokinetics
Paracetamol
Paracetamol is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, with peak plasma concentrations generally occurring approximately 10–60 minutes after oral administration. It is widely distributed throughout body tissues, crosses the placenta and is present in breast milk. It is extensively metabolized in the liver, mainly through glucuronidation and sulfation, with a minor oxidative pathway producing the reactive metabolite NAPQI. Metabolites are predominantly eliminated in urine.
Chlorpheniramine
Chlorpheniramine is well absorbed orally, with peak plasma concentrations occurring approximately 2.5–6 hours after administration. It is widely distributed and crosses the blood-brain barrier. It undergoes extensive metabolism and is eliminated primarily in urine, with only trace amounts excreted in faeces.
Pseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine is readily absorbed orally. Most of the administered dose is excreted unchanged in the urine, with a smaller proportion undergoing hepatic metabolism. Renal function and urinary pH can substantially influence its elimination.
11. Indications
The accessible Egyptian product information describes Vegaskine Syrup for symptomatic treatment of:
- Nasal congestion.
- Sinus congestion and sinus pressure/pain.
- Runny nose.
- Sneezing.
- Itching of the nose or throat.
- Sore throat.
- Fever and headache associated with the common cold.
The medicine should be understood as providing symptomatic relief, not treatment of the underlying infectious cause.
12. Administration
Route: Oral.
Administration instructions: Shake the syrup as appropriate before administration and measure doses with a suitable measuring device rather than an ordinary household spoon.
Dosing stated in the accessible product information
Children 6–8 years:
7.5–10 mL (1½–2 teaspoonfuls) three to four times daily.
Children 9–11 years:
10–15 mL (2–3 teaspoonfuls) three times daily.
Children under 6 years: Do not use.
The accessible product information also states not to exceed 4 doses in 24 hours. The dosing information above is reproduced from the available Egyptian product information; it should not be extrapolated to younger children or used to create an adult dose that was not independently verified for this formulation.
13. Method of Preparation
No verified public manufacturing method was identified for the finished Vegaskine Syrup.
The exact manufacturing process, order of addition of excipients, mixing conditions, pH-adjustment parameters, preservation process, filling conditions and in-process quality-control specifications are proprietary manufacturing information and should not be inferred from the ingredient list.
The product should therefore be described as a manufactured oral syrup, not as a formulation for extemporaneous preparation.
14. Contraindications
The accessible Egyptian product information explicitly identifies:
- Hypersensitivity to any ingredient of the product.
- Use in children under 6 years is not recommended.
Because the product contains pseudoephedrine, ingredient-level contraindications relevant to pseudoephedrine-containing products include:
- Concomitant MAOI therapy or use within 14 days of discontinuing an MAOI.
- Severe hypertension.
- Severe coronary artery disease.
- Narrow-angle glaucoma.
- Urinary retention.
These additional contraindications should be considered ingredient-based safety information and should not be represented as verbatim wording from the Egyptian Vegaskine leaflet unless confirmed against the current approved Egyptian product information.
15. Warnings & Precautions
Use with appropriate professional caution in patients with:
- Hepatic impairment.
- Renal impairment.
- Alcohol dependence or substantial chronic alcohol consumption.
- Hypertension or cardiovascular disease.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Hyperthyroidism.
- Increased intraocular pressure/glaucoma.
- Prostatic hypertrophy or difficulty urinating.
- Conditions in which sedation may create a safety problem.
Chlorpheniramine may cause drowsiness, impaired alertness and psychomotor impairment. Alcohol, sedatives and tranquilizers can increase these effects. Patients should use caution with driving or operating machinery. Excitability may occur in children.
Because the product contains paracetamol, patients should avoid taking additional paracetamol-containing products unless the combined total has been appropriately assessed. Excessive paracetamol exposure can cause severe hepatic injury.
Because it contains pseudoephedrine, concurrent use of additional decongestants or sympathomimetics should be avoided unless specifically advised by a healthcare professional.
The product contains sucrose according to accessible Egyptian product information; patients with diabetes or known intolerance to certain sugars should take this into account. The exact current excipient declaration should be checked against the latest approved package leaflet.
16. Drug Interactions
Paracetamol
Potentially important interactions include:
- Other medicines containing paracetamol, because of cumulative-dose hepatotoxicity.
- Chronic use of hepatic enzyme-inducing medicines may increase the risk of paracetamol toxicity.
- Metoclopramide or other medicines affecting gastric emptying may alter the rate of paracetamol absorption.
- Cholestyramine can reduce paracetamol absorption when administered closely together.
- Probenecid can alter paracetamol clearance.
Chlorpheniramine
Chlorpheniramine may potentiate CNS depression caused by:
- Alcohol.
- Sedatives.
- Hypnotics.
- Tranquilizers.
- Other CNS depressants.
Pseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine may interact clinically with:
- MAO inhibitors — potentially serious potentiation of sympathomimetic effects; use is contraindicated during MAOI therapy and for 14 days after discontinuation.
- Other sympathomimetics/decongestants.
- Some antihypertensive medicines, whose effects may be reduced.
- Beta-adrenergic blocking agents.
- Certain cardiac medicines such as digitalis, where increased ectopic pacemaker activity may occur.
The interaction profile above is not exhaustive.
17. Side Effects
Paracetamol
At therapeutic doses, adverse effects are generally uncommon. Reported reactions include:
- Skin rash.
- Hypersensitivity reactions.
- Rare hematological abnormalities.
Serious hepatotoxicity is primarily associated with excessive exposure or overdose rather than routine therapeutic use.
Chlorpheniramine
Common or clinically important effects may include:
- Drowsiness.
- Sedation.
- Dizziness.
- Lassitude.
- Impaired coordination.
- Anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth and difficulty urinating.
Paradoxical excitation can occur, particularly in children.
Pseudoephedrine
Reported adverse effects include:
- Tachycardia/palpitations.
- Nervousness or anxiety.
- Restlessness.
- Insomnia.
- Dizziness.
- Skin rash.
- Urinary retention.
Rare CNS reactions, including hallucinations, have been reported, particularly in children.
18. Use in Special Populations
Pregnancy
The original statement that pseudoephedrine plus paracetamol has been "suggested to increase the risk of gastroschisis" is too definitive.
Current evidence indicates that most studies have not demonstrated an overall increased risk of major birth defects with pseudoephedrine, although some studies have reported a small possible increase in specific defects, including gastroschisis. A causal relationship has not been established. MotherToBaby reports that ACOG does not recommend pseudoephedrine during the first three months of pregnancy.
Therefore, Vegaskine containing pseudoephedrine should not be routinely used during pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester, unless a healthcare professional determines that its use is appropriate.
Breastfeeding
Paracetamol is generally considered compatible with breastfeeding and is widely used for analgesia and fever reduction in nursing mothers.
The situation is different for the combination:
- Small, occasional doses of chlorpheniramine may be acceptable during breastfeeding, but larger or prolonged exposure may cause infant effects or affect milk supply.
- Pseudoephedrine passes into breast milk in small amounts and is unlikely to cause serious toxicity in most breastfed infants, but it can reduce milk production. A clinical study found an average 24% reduction in milk production after a single 60 mg dose.
Consequently, the original statement that paracetamol and pseudoephedrine are simply "compatible with breastfeeding" should be replaced by a more qualified statement.
Renal impairment
Use with caution. Pseudoephedrine is predominantly eliminated through the kidneys and may accumulate when renal clearance is reduced.
Hepatic impairment
Use with caution because paracetamol is extensively metabolized in the liver and excessive exposure may cause hepatotoxicity.
Older adults
Older adults may be more susceptible to the sedative and anticholinergic effects of first-generation antihistamines and to urinary or cardiovascular adverse effects. Professional assessment is appropriate.
19. Storage Conditions
The accessible Egyptian product information states:
Store at a temperature not exceeding 30°C and protect from light.
Keep the bottle tightly closed as appropriate and keep the medicine out of the reach of children.
The exact storage statement on the current commercial package should take precedence over older online copies of the leaflet.
20. Additional Sections
Reported inactive ingredients
An accessible Egyptian product-information copy reports:
- Methylparaben.
- Propylparaben.
- Saccharin sodium.
- Plasdone K-25.
- Sucrose.
- Glycerin.
- Strawberry/tutti-frutti flavouring components.
- Geranine.
- Sodium hydroxide.
However, the exact spelling and current quantitative composition of the flavouring/excipient components could not be independently verified from a current official manufacturer/EDA document. Therefore, this list should be treated as reported formulation information, not as a guaranteed current excipient declaration.
Package
Accessible Egyptian product information describes an amber-glass bottle in a carton with an internal leaflet. Current market listings identify the syrup as a 120 mL presentation.
Other Vegaskine-branded products
Vegaskine is a brand family rather than a single formulation. Publicly indexed Egyptian product information identifies, among others:
- Vegaskine Syrup — paracetamol + chlorpheniramine maleate + pseudoephedrine HCl.
- Vegaskine Paediatric suppositories — paracetamol + phenobarbitone.
- Vegaskine Compound suppositories — acetylsalicylic acid + caffeine + codeine + paracetamol + phenobarbitone.
- Vegaskine-D tablets — acetylsalicylic acid + caffeine + chlorpheniramine maleate + dextromethorphan HBr + paracetamol.
The Alexandria product overview supports the compositions of the syrup, Vegaskine-D and Vegaskine Compound presentations.
Regulatory/market note
The Egyptian Drug Authority published a 2024 recall notice for Vegaskine-D tablets, concerning a specified batch because it did not comply with laboratory requirements. The EDA notice explicitly states that the warning applied to the specified batch and did not constitute a general recall of the product. This notice concerns Vegaskine-D tablets, not the Vegaskine Syrup formulation reviewed here.
21. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Vegaskine Syrup used for?
It is used for symptomatic relief of cold/upper-respiratory symptoms including nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, nasal or throat itching, sinus congestion/pressure, headache and fever associated with the common cold.
What are the active ingredients?
Each 5 mL contains paracetamol 120 mg, chlorpheniramine maleate 0.75 mg and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 15 mg.
Is Vegaskine an antibiotic?
No. It has no antibacterial or antiviral activity and does not treat the underlying infectious organism.
Can children under 6 years use Vegaskine Syrup?
The accessible Egyptian product information states do not use in children under 6 years.
Does Vegaskine cause drowsiness?
Yes. Chlorpheniramine is a sedating first-generation antihistamine and may cause drowsiness, dizziness and impaired coordination. Alcohol and other CNS depressants may increase this effect.
Can Vegaskine be used during pregnancy?
Because the product contains pseudoephedrine, it should not be routinely used during pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester. Current evidence concerning specific birth defects such as gastroschisis is not conclusive, but a small possible association has been reported. Professional advice is appropriate.
Can Vegaskine be used while breastfeeding?
This requires more caution than the original leaflet wording suggests. Paracetamol is generally compatible with breastfeeding, but pseudoephedrine can reduce milk production, and chlorpheniramine may also affect lactation when used repeatedly or at higher exposure.
Can Vegaskine be taken with another cold medicine?
Not automatically. Many cold medicines contain paracetamol, pseudoephedrine or an antihistamine. Combining products can unintentionally duplicate ingredients and increase toxicity or adverse effects.
Can Vegaskine be taken with an MAOI?
No. Pseudoephedrine-containing products should not be used with MAO inhibitors or within 14 days after stopping an MAOI because of potentially serious sympathomimetic interactions.
Does Vegaskine treat sinus infection?
It may relieve congestion and related symptoms, but it does not eradicate bacterial or viral infection and should not be regarded as an antimicrobial treatment.
Does Vegaskine contain sugar?
The accessible Egyptian product information lists sucrose among the inactive ingredients. Patients with diabetes or sugar intolerance should check the current approved leaflet and seek professional advice where appropriate.
22. References
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Alexandria Co. for Pharmaceuticals & Chemical Industries — Product information/product portfolio, including Vegaskine Syrup composition and pack information.
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Vidal/Vademecum Egypt — VEGASKINE Syrup 2.4% + 0.015% + 0.3%, identifying the Egyptian product, dosage form, manufacturer and ATC classification.
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Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) — 2024 Recall/Alert Publications, including the specific Vegaskine-D tablet batch recall.
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DailyMed — Pseudoephedrine-containing product information, including contraindications, warnings, renal elimination and MAOI interaction.
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DailyMed — Chlorpheniramine maleate, including sedation, CNS-depressant interactions and precautions.
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Medicines.org.uk — Paracetamol SmPC, including oral pharmacokinetics and analgesic/antipyretic pharmacology.
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NCBI LactMed — Pseudoephedrine, updated April 20, 2026, including breast-milk exposure and reduction in milk production.
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NCBI LactMed — Chlorpheniramine, updated April 15, 2026, including breastfeeding considerations.
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NCBI LactMed — Acetaminophen, updated April 15, 2026, including breastfeeding safety information.
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MotherToBaby — Pseudoephedrine, March 1, 2026, including current pregnancy evidence and first-trimester considerations.
Verification date: 18 August 2026.
Important: Where current official Egyptian registration/leaflet information was not publicly accessible or independently verifiable, the wording above deliberately identifies the uncertainty rather than filling the gap with an assumption.