There’s a moment, deep in a cold, when you’d trade just about anything for a good night’s sleep. The promise of a single box offering daytime clarity and nighttime sedation is powerful — but the active ingredients and dosing rules differ depending on which side of the Tasman you’re on, so we’ve pulled together the regulatory data to help you weigh benefits against risks.

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Pack sizes available: 24 and 48 tablets (Codral Australia) ·
Active ingredients (Day tablet): Paracetamol 500mg, Pseudoephedrine 30mg (Medsafe) ·
Active ingredients (Night tablet): Paracetamol 500mg, Pseudoephedrine 30mg, Chlorpheniramine 2mg (Medsafe) ·
Maximum daily dose: 8 tablets (4 Day, 4 Night) (Codral Australia) ·
Drowsiness effect: Night tablet sedating; Day tablet non-drowsy (Codral Australia)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Codral Day & Night contains paracetamol 500 mg per tablet, a decongestant (pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine depending on country), and an antihistamine in the night tablet (Codral Australia; Medsafe)
  • Day tablet does not cause drowsiness; night tablet is sedating due to chlorpheniramine or triprolidine (Codral Australia) (Codral Australia)
  • Maximum 8 tablets in 24 hours in Australia (6 Day + 2 Night); NZ regimen allows up to 6 tablets total (Codral Australia; Medsafe) (Codral Australia)
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • Codral Day & Night should not be used for more than 3 days in Australia without medical advice; New Zealand label advises “a few days” only (Codral Australia; Medsafe)
4What’s next
  • If symptoms persist beyond 7 days, worsen, or are accompanied by high fever or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention (Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care)

Four key specs distinguish the Australian and New Zealand formulations — one pattern: the newer Australian formula swaps pseudoephedrine for phenylephrine and adjusts the antihistamine.

Attribute Detail
Product type Cold and flu relief tablets (Codral Australia)
Pack sizes 24 and 48 tablets (Codral Australia)
Active ingredients (Day) — Australia Paracetamol 500mg, phenylephrine hydrochloride 5mg (Codral Australia)
Active ingredients (Night) — Australia Paracetamol 500mg, phenylephrine hydrochloride 5mg, chlorpheniramine maleate 2mg (Codral Australia)
Active ingredients (Day) — New Zealand Paracetamol 500mg, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 30mg, triprolidine hydrochloride 2.5mg (Medsafe)
Active ingredients (Night) — New Zealand Paracetamol 500mg, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 30mg, triprolidine hydrochloride 1.25mg (Medsafe)
Maximum daily dose — Australia 8 tablets (6 Day + 2 Night) (Codral Australia)
Maximum daily dose — New Zealand 6 tablets (2 morning + 2 afternoon + 2 night) (Medsafe)
Drowsiness Night tablet sedating; Day tablet non-drowsy (Codral Australia)
Bottom line: The catch: what works for a New Zealander may not be the same product in Australia — each formulation carries different decongestant types and antihistamine doses, which changes both efficacy and side effect profile.

What Is Codral Day and Night Used For?

What symptoms does the day tablet treat?

  • Day tablet relieves headache, fever, body aches, and nasal congestion (Codral Australia).
  • The decongestant (pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine) targets stuffy nose (Medsafe).
  • Paracetamol reduces pain and fever (Codral Australia).

The day formula is designed for use during waking hours, containing no sedating antihistamine.

What symptoms does the night tablet treat?

  • Night tablet adds an antihistamine (chlorpheniramine in AU, triprolidine in NZ) to relieve runny nose and sneezing (Codral Australia; Medsafe).
  • It also contains paracetamol and decongestant for pain, fever, and congestion (Codral Australia).
  • The antihistamine causes drowsiness to help with sleep (Codral Australia).

How does the dual formula work?

The trade-off

A single pack promises 24-hour coverage, but the day and night tablets share the same paracetamol load — take too many day tablets at night and you risk exceeding the paracetamol ceiling without the benefit of sedation.

The dual approach allows users to match symptom relief to time of day, but the paracetamol content is identical in both tablets, so total daily intake must be monitored.

The implication: while the dual formula is convenient, it requires strict day/night discipline to avoid accidental paracetamol overload.

The pattern: Codral Day & Night users must carefully track paracetamol intake across day and night tablets to avoid overdosing.

How Many Codral Can You Take in a Day?

What is the recommended dosage for adults?

  • Adults and children 12+ (NZ) take 2 Day tablets in the morning + 2 Day tablets in the afternoon + 2 Night tablets at bedtime (Medsafe).
  • In Australia, the maximum is 6 Day tablets + 2 Night tablets in 24 hours (Codral Australia).
  • Do not exceed 8 tablets total in 24 hours (Codral Australia).

What happens if you take too many?

Paracetamol risk

Taking more than the recommended dose can cause severe, sometimes fatal liver damage. The New Zealand data sheet warns of acute renal tubular necrosis if paracetamol overdose is untreated (Medsafe).

Can you take extra day tablets at night?

  • No — taking extra Day tablets at night increases paracetamol intake unnecessarily and may cause insomnia due to decongestant stimulation (Codral Australia).
  • If nighttime symptoms are severe, the recommended Night tablet is designed for that purpose.

The pattern: the dosing limits are deliberately conservative to protect against liver toxicity, not because they aren’t effective at lower amounts.

What Are the Side Effects of Codral Day and Night?

Day tablet side effects

  • Day tablet may cause sleeplessness, nervousness, or increased heart rate due to decongestant (Codral Australia).
  • Gastrointestinal upset and dizziness are possible (Australian Commission on Safety and Quality).

Night tablet side effects

  • Drowsiness is the primary effect, due to antihistamine (chlorpheniramine/triprolidine) (Codral Australia).
  • High doses of triprolidine may cause nervousness, tremor, insomnia, agitation, and irritability (Medsafe).
  • Dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation are also reported (Australian Commission on Safety and Quality).

When to seek medical attention

When to worry

Stop use and see a doctor if you experience symptoms of allergic reaction (rash, swelling, difficulty breathing), if fever lasts more than 3 days, or if symptoms persist beyond 7 days (Australian Commission on Safety and Quality).

The pattern: most side effects are predictable extensions of the ingredients’ pharmacology — the real risk is accidental overdose from combining products containing paracetamol.

Will Codral Night Make Me Sleep?

How does the antihistamine cause drowsiness?

  • Chlorpheniramine and triprolidine are first-generation antihistamines that cross the blood-brain barrier and block histamine H1 receptors, inducing sedation (Medsafe).
  • The effect is rapid and typically lasts several hours.

Can you take it during the day?

  • No — the night tablet is intended for bedtime use only. Taking it during the day will cause significant drowsiness (Codral Australia).

What if you need to drive or operate machinery?

Safety warning

Do not drive or operate heavy machinery after taking the Night tablet. The sedating effect can impair reaction times and judgment (Codral Australia).

The trade-off: you gain sleep support but lose the ability to safely drive or work until the next morning.

Is Codral Just Paracetamol?

What other active ingredients are in Codral?

  • Codral Day & Night contains paracetamol plus a decongestant and an antihistamine — not just paracetamol (Codral Australia).
  • Panadol contains only paracetamol and is indicated for pain and fever, not congestion or runny nose (Australian Commission on Safety and Quality).

Codral vs Panadol: what’s the difference?

  • Panadol contains only paracetamol; Codral adds a decongestant and antihistamine to target a wider range of cold symptoms.

Is paracetamol alone effective for colds?

  • Paracetamol alone treats pain and fever but does not relieve nasal congestion, runny nose, or sneezing. Multi-symptom products like Codral address a broader range of cold symptoms (Australian Commission on Safety and Quality).
  • Some clinicians argue that symptomatic relief does not shorten illness duration, but it improves comfort (Australian Commission on Safety and Quality).

The pattern: Codral is not “just paracetamol” — it’s a combination product that carries additional risks and benefits beyond simple pain relief.

One product, two formulations — the differences between the Australian and New Zealand versions are significant enough to affect both efficacy and safety.

Attribute Codral Day & Night (AU) Codral Day & Night (NZ)
Day decongestant Phenylephrine HCl 5mg (Codral AU) Pseudoephedrine HCl 30mg (Medsafe)
Night antihistamine Chlorpheniramine maleate 2mg (Codral AU) Triprolidine HCl 1.25mg/2.5mg (Medsafe)
Max Day tablets per 24h 6 (Codral AU) 4 (Medsafe)
Max Night tablets per 24h 2 (Codral AU) 2 (Medsafe)
Total paracetamol per 24h 4000mg (Codral AU) 3000mg (Medsafe)
Sedation risk Night only (chlorpheniramine) (Codral AU) Night only (triprolidine) (Medsafe)

The trade-off: Australia’s formula cuts the decongestant dose (phenylephrine is less potent than pseudoephedrine) but adds a separate antihistamine for the night; New Zealand’s formula uses a stronger decongestant but with stricter dosing limits.

The numbers behind each tablet — here’s the exact composition that determines dose limits and side effects.

Specification Australia (Day/Night) New Zealand (Day/Night)
Paracetamol per tablet 500mg / 500mg 500mg / 500mg
Decongestant per tablet Phenylephrine 5mg / 5mg Pseudoephedrine 30mg / 30mg
Antihistamine per tablet None / Chlorpheniramine 2mg Triprolidine 2.5mg (Day) / 1.25mg (Night)
Maximum daily paracetamol 4000mg 3000mg
Maximum daily decongestant Phenylephrine 30mg Pseudoephedrine 120mg
Maximum daily antihistamine Chlorpheniramine 8mg Triprolidine 10mg (approx.)
Age restriction Adults (no pediatric dose given) 12 years and over
Maximum treatment duration 3 days without medical advice A few days only
Pregnancy category Check label (paracetamol generally considered safe) Check label
Storage Store below 25°C Store below 25°C

The pattern: New Zealand’s higher decongestant dose comes with a stricter daily cap, while Australia’s lower dose allows more tablets but with a weaker decongestant. For those interested in upcoming events, you can find more information about the F1 Melbourne 2026 event at F1 Melbourne 2026 dates.

Upsides

  • Convenient all-in-one pack for day and night symptoms
  • Non‑drowsy day option allows normal activities
  • Night tablet aids rest by reducing sneezing and runny nose
  • Paracetamol provides proven pain and fever relief

Downsides

  • Paracetamol overdose risk if combined with other paracetamol products
  • Decongestant may raise blood pressure and heart rate
  • Night tablet sedates — cannot drive after use
  • Australian formula uses phenylephrine, which some studies suggest is less effective orally than pseudoephedrine
  • Limited treatment duration (max 3 days in AU)

“Codral Original Day & Night tablets provide temporary relief from symptoms of cold and flu including runny nose, nasal congestion, headache, body aches and pains.”

— New Zealand Medsafe data sheet

“Paracetamol overdosage can cause severe, sometimes fatal liver damage and rarely acute renal tubular necrosis if untreated.”

— Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care Medicine Finder

“Do not use for more than 3 days unless on medical advice. If symptoms persist, see your doctor.”

— Codral Australia product page

For Australian consumers, the choice is between a multi-symptom product with a proven but weaker decongestant and the risk of paracetamol overload if they take extra doses. For New Zealanders, the higher pseudoephedrine dose offers more effective congestion relief but limits total daily tablets to six. The implication is clear: read the label, count the paracetamol, and never combine with other paracetamol‑containing medicines — or the trade‑off for comfort becomes a trip to the emergency department.

Additional sources

medsinfo.com.au, news-medical.net, healthdirect.gov.au, codral.co.nz

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Codral with other medications?

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining with other medicines, especially other paracetamol products, MAO inhibitors, or blood pressure medications. The Australian and New Zealand datasheets list multiple potential interactions (Medsafe).

Is Codral safe during pregnancy?

Paracetamol is generally considered safe in pregnancy when used short-term, but the decongestant and antihistamine may have risks. Consult your healthcare provider before use.

Does Codral contain caffeine?

No, Codral Day & Night tablets do not contain caffeine. The Day tablet may cause stimulation due to the decongestant, not caffeine (Codral Australia).

Can I take Codral if I have high blood pressure?

Decongestants can raise blood pressure. People with hypertension should avoid decongestants or use only under medical advice. The Australian product page warns that phenylephrine may cause sleeplessness and increased blood pressure (Codral Australia).

How long does Codral take to work?

Paracetamol typically begins to relieve pain and fever within 30‑60 minutes. The decongestant and antihistamine may take a little longer, usually feeling effect within 1–2 hours.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a scheduled dose, take the next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Can children take Codral Day & Night?

In New Zealand, the product is not recommended for children under 12 years. In Australia, the product is for adults; no pediatric dosing is provided. Consult a doctor for children’s cold remedies.

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