Demazin is a range of allergy and cold products rather than a single medicine. The versions differ substantially — one is a plain antihistamine, another adds a decongestant, another is an anti-inflammatory, and one is a cream. Which one you have determines what it does and what to watch for.
What is Demazin?
The South African Medicine Price Registry lists several distinct Demazin products:
| Product | Schedule | Form | Contains |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demazin Once A Day | S1 | Tablet | Loratadine 10 mg |
| Demazin ND | S2 | Tablet | Loratadine 5 mg + pseudoephedrine 120 mg |
| Demazin Syrup (alcohol free) | S2 | Syrup | Chlorphenamine 1.25 mg + phenylephrine 2.5 mg per 5 ml |
| Demazin Cold and Flu | S2 | Tablet | Ibuprofen 200 mg + pseudoephedrine 30 mg |
| Demazin Flu | S2 | Effervescent | Paracetamol 300 mg + dextromethorphan 20 mg + pseudoephedrine 30 mg + vitamin C |
| Demazin Itch Relief (was Alsan) | S2 | Cream | Mepyramine maleate 20 mg/g |
These are not variations on one medicine. One contains an anti-inflammatory, one a paracetamol-and-cough-suppressant combination, two contain a non-sedating antihistamine, one contains a sedating antihistamine, and one is applied to skin. Read your pack before applying anything below.
The ingredients, briefly:
- Loratadine — a non-sedating antihistamine for allergy.
- Chlorphenamine — an older, markedly sedating antihistamine.
- Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine — decongestants that narrow swollen nasal blood vessels.
- Ibuprofen — an anti-inflammatory for aches and fever.
- Paracetamol — for pain and fever.
- Dextromethorphan — a cough suppressant.
- Mepyramine — an antihistamine applied to skin for itch.
What is Demazin commonly used for?
- Hay fever and allergic rhinitis — Demazin Once A Day, the plain loratadine tablet.
- Allergy with a blocked nose — Demazin ND, adding a decongestant.
- Children’s cold symptoms — Demazin syrup, for runny nose and congestion.
- Cold and flu aches with congestion — Demazin Cold and Flu.
- Flu symptoms with a dry cough — Demazin Flu.
- Itchy skin, insect bites and nettle rash — Demazin Itch Relief cream.
None of them treats a cold or flu. Those are viral. These products relieve symptoms while your immune system does the work.
A principle worth applying to any cold remedy: match the product to the symptoms you actually have. A four-ingredient product exposes you to four sets of risks even if you only need one of them. If your only problem is a blocked nose, a plain decongestant is the better choice than a combination.
On the syrup for children, two points matter. It contains a sedating antihistamine, and medicines regulators have advised against giving cough and cold combination products to young children — the benefit is small and the risk of dosing errors and side effects is not. Follow the age limits on the pack exactly, and ask a pharmacist before giving it to a child under six.
How Demazin fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | What it targets |
|---|---|---|
| Non-sedating antihistamines | Demazin Once A Day, cetirizine (Austell Cetirizine) | Allergy — sneezing, itching, runny nose |
| Sedating antihistamines | Demazin syrup, chlorphenamine (Rhineton) | Same, with marked drowsiness |
| Antihistamine + decongestant | Demazin ND | Allergy with congestion |
| Analgesic + decongestant | Demazin Cold and Flu, Demazin Flu | Cold and flu aches with congestion |
| Topical antihistamines | Demazin Itch Relief | Localised skin itch |
| Steroid nasal sprays | Fluticasone, mometasone | Persistent nasal allergy — better for congestion |
See the allergy, cold and flu medicines hub.
What to check before using Demazin
Identify your product first, then check every other medicine you are taking for the same ingredients. Cold remedies overlap heavily, and doubling up on paracetamol, ibuprofen or a decongestant is the commonest avoidable harm here.
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if you:
- Have high blood pressure, heart disease, an irregular heartbeat or a history of stroke — relevant to every decongestant-containing version.
- Have diabetes, an overactive thyroid, glaucoma or an enlarged prostate — also decongestant-related.
- Have a stomach ulcer, gastritis, asthma, kidney disease or heart failure — relevant to Demazin Cold and Flu, which contains ibuprofen.
- Have liver disease or drink heavily — relevant to Demazin Flu, which contains paracetamol.
- Take MAOI antidepressants, which must not be combined with decongestants, or other sedating medicines.
- Take blood thinners or another anti-inflammatory.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding — most of these are avoided.
- Are over 65, where decongestants and sedating antihistamines carry more risk.
- Are treating a child — use only the paediatric product, at the stated age and dose.
Practical points: take tablets with or after food; avoid the late-evening dose of decongestant-containing versions, which disturb sleep; do not drive on the sedating ones; do not drink alcohol with them; and do not use any of them for more than a few days without advice.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Effects vary by product: drowsiness from the sedating antihistamine, restlessness and insomnia from decongestants, indigestion and nausea from ibuprofen, and dry mouth, dizziness and a racing heart across several.
Get emergency help for:
- Suspected paracetamol overdose — from Demazin Flu, or from combining it with another paracetamol product. Someone who has taken too much may feel entirely well for a day or more while liver damage develops. Go to an emergency department immediately with the packaging.
- Chest pain, a very fast or irregular heartbeat, or signs of a stroke.
- Vomiting blood, or black tarry stools — from the ibuprofen-containing product.
- Sudden worsening of asthma or wheezing.
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, or a widespread rash.
Contact a doctor if:
- Symptoms last more than a week, or fever more than three days.
- Symptoms improve then worsen again — a common pattern when a bacterial infection follows a cold.
- You develop severe facial pain, breathlessness, a productive cough or a stiff neck.
- A child is not drinking, is unusually drowsy, or is getting worse.
- You have high blood pressure or heart disease and want a cold remedy — ask a pharmacist, as decongestant-free options are almost always available.
- Allergy symptoms need treatment most days for months, where a steroid nasal spray or allergy testing may serve you better.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Allergy, Cold & Flu Medicines guides
- Read: Austell Cetirizine used for
- Read: Rhineton used for
Frequently asked questions
What is Demazin used for? It depends which product you have. The range covers hay fever, allergy with congestion, children’s cold symptoms, cold and flu aches, and itchy skin.
What is Demazin syrup used for? Children’s cold symptoms — runny nose and congestion. It contains a sedating antihistamine and a decongestant. Follow the age limits and ask a pharmacist before giving it to a young child.
What are Demazin tablets used for? Demazin Once A Day is loratadine for allergy. Demazin ND adds a decongestant. Demazin Cold and Flu contains ibuprofen and a decongestant. Check your pack.
Are they all the same? No. They contain quite different ingredients with different cautions — one contains an anti-inflammatory, one paracetamol, one a sedating antihistamine.
Is it an antibiotic? No. Colds and flu are viral, and nothing in the range treats infection.
Can I take it with another cold remedy? Check the ingredients first. Doubling up on paracetamol, ibuprofen or a decongestant is easy and dangerous.
Can I take it with high blood pressure? Ask a pharmacist. The decongestant-containing versions raise blood pressure; a decongestant-free alternative is usually available.
Why does the syrup make my child sleepy? It contains chlorphenamine, an older sedating antihistamine.