Lemsip is a brand of cold and flu remedies in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland,

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, and New Zealand. It is manufactured by the British company Reckitt.

Products

Their original and best-known product is a lemon-flavoured hot drink containing 650 mg of

paracetamol Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is a medication used to treat fever and mild to moderate pain. Common brand names include Tylenol and Panadol. At a standard dose, paracetamol only slightly decreases body temperature; it is inferior ...

(an

analgesic An analgesic drug, also called simply an analgesic (American English), analgaesic (British English), pain reliever, or painkiller, is any member of the group of drugs used to achieve relief from pain (that is, analgesia or pain management). It ...

), and 10 mg phenylephrine hydrochloride (a decongestant) to help to relieve

headache Headache is the symptom of pain in the face, head, or neck. It can occur as a migraine, tension-type headache, or cluster headache. There is an increased risk of depression in those with severe headaches. Headaches can occur as a result ...

, fever, blocked nose, body aches and pains, and a sore throat. In 1995 the Lemsip Max range was launched which included lemon,

blackcurrant The blackcurrant (''Ribes nigrum''), also known as black currant or cassis, is a deciduous shrub in the family Grossulariaceae grown for its edible berries. It is native to temperate parts of central and northern Europe and northern Asia, whe ...

and "Breathe Easy" hot drink flavours, and saw a variety of capsule products added to the range, including Lemsip Max Cold & Flu Capsules. The entire Lemsip Max range contains the maximum level of active ingredients allowed for general sales listing in the UK. In 2016 it was the fourth biggest selling branded over-the-counter medication sold in Great Britain, with sales of £63.9 million. In 2007 Lemsip launched Lemsip Max All In One hot drinks in Lemon, Wild Berry and Hot Orange, and Breathe Easy flavours. In 2008 Lemsip launched a Liquid into the Lemsip Max All In One range. The range contains 200 mg of

guaifenesin Guaifenesin, also known as glyceryl guaiacolate, is an expectorant medication that aids in the elimination of sputum from the respiratory tract. Chemically it is an ether of guaiacol and glycerine. It is often used in combination with other me ...

which helps to relieve chesty cough, in addition to 1000 mg of

and 12.2 mg of phenylephrine hydrochloride (12.18 mg of phenylephrine hydrochloride in Lemsip Max All In One Liquid) which aims to relieve headache, sore throat, fever, body aches and pains, and a blocked nose. The Lemsip range now contains capsules, tablets, liquids, and hot drink sachets.

Side effects, contraindications, and interactions

Possible side effects include hypersensitivity, blood problems or, above the recommended dose, pancreatitis and vomiting. Taking Lemsip alongside other medicine containing paracetamol can cause an overdose, potentially resulting in serious liver and kidney damage. Phenylephrine, which alongside paracetamol is one of Lemsip's two primary active ingredients and is intended to be responsible for most of the product's claimed effects, was discovered to be ineffective as a decongestant in 2015, leading some pharmacists to call for the ingredient to be banned.

Manufacturing

Lemsip is manufactured in parent company Reckitt's

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and Nottingham sites.

References

External links

Official site
Antipyretics Decongestants Reckitt brands {{respiratory-system-drug-stub