View source for Lemsip

{{short description|Brand of medication}}
{{About|the cold and flu remedy|the NYU research facility|Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Surgery in Primates}}
{{Refimprove|date= September 2014}}
{{Infobox brand
| name       = Lemsip
| image      = Lemsip Max.jpg
| caption    = Lemsip Max
| producedby = [[Reckitt]]
| introduced = {{start date and age|1969}}
|markets=UK|producttype=[[Cold medicine]]|image_size=200|website={{url|https://www.lemsip.co.uk/|lemsip.co.uk}}|origin=UK}}
'''Lemsip''' is a British brand of [[Common cold|cold]] and [[flu]] remedies for treating people with cold, cough and flu by [[Reckitt]], a UK-based consumer goods company.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Lemsip and Durex maker Reckitt grows on higher prices and baby formula shortage |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/business/lemsip-and-durex-maker-reckitt-grows-on-higher-prices-and-baby-formula-shortage-b2291839.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311225637/http://www.independent.co.uk/business/lemsip-and-durex-maker-reckitt-grows-on-higher-prices-and-baby-formula-shortage-b2291839.html |archive-date=2023-03-11 |access-date=2025-03-10 |work=The Independent |language=en-GB |url-status=live }}</ref>

== History ==
Originally called LEM-SIP, the product was first introduced in 1969.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Roberts |first=Ceri |date=2024-11-19 |title=Does Lemsip really work? |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/conditions/cold-flu/does-lemsip-work/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> In the 1970s, Reckitt rebranded the product to Lemsip and included the 'sword in a glass' logo on packaging.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Curtis |first=James |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Superbrands/ab5WAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0&bsq=LEMSIP%20reckitt%201969 |title=Superbrands: An Insight Into Britain's Strongest Brands 2004 |last2=Pumphrey |first2=Angela |date=2004 |publisher=Superbrands |isbn=978-0-9547510-0-5 |page=120 |language=en}}</ref> 

==Products==
Their original and best-known product is the [[lemon]]-flavoured hot drink containing 650&nbsp;mg of [[paracetamol]] (an [[analgesic]]), and 10&nbsp;mg [[phenylephrine]] [[hydrochloride]] (a [[decongestant]]) to help to relieve [[headache]], [[fever]], [[blocked nose]], body aches and pains, and a [[sore throat]].<ref name="Lemsip Cold and Flu Sachets">{{cite web|url=http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/aches-and-pains/medicines/lemsip-cold-and-flu-sachets.html |title=Lemsip cold & flu sachets |publisher=Netdoctor.co.uk |date=2014-04-15 |accessdate=2014-05-11}}</ref>

In 1995 the Lemsip Max range was launched, which included [[lemon]], [[blackcurrant]] and "Breathe Easy" hot drink flavours, and saw a variety of [[Capsule (pharmacy)|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.<ref>{{cite news|title=A breakdown of the over-the-counter medicines market in Britain in 2016|url=http://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/20202662.article?amp;utm_medium=email&|accessdate=29 May 2017|publisher=Pharmaceutical Journal|date=28 April 2017|archive-date=8 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908213934/http://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/20202662.article?amp%3Butm_medium=email&|url-status=dead}}</ref> 

In 2007 Lemsip launched Lemsip Max All In One hot drinks in Lemon, Wild Berry and Hot [[Orange (fruit)|Orange]], and Breathe Easy flavours. In 2008 Lemsip launched a Liquid into the Lemsip Max All In One range. The range contains 200&nbsp;mg of [[guaifenesin]] which helps to relieve chesty cough, in addition to 1000&nbsp;mg of [[paracetamol]] and 12.2&nbsp;mg of phenylephrine hydrochloride (12.18&nbsp;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, [[Tablet (pharmacy)|tablets]], liquids, and hot drink [[sachet]]s.

==Side effects, contraindications, and interactions==
{{further|paracetamol|phenylephrine|guaifenesin}}
Possible side effects include [[hypersensitivity]], blood problems or, above the recommended dose, [[pancreatitis]] and [[vomiting]].<ref name="Lemsip Cold and Flu">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhs.uk/medicine-guides/pages/MedicineOverview.aspx?medicine=Lemsip%20Cold%20and%20Flu |title=Lemsip Cold and Flu - medicines and drugs - NHS Choices |publisher=Nhs.uk |date=2012-06-27 |accessdate=2014-05-11}}</ref>

Taking Lemsip alongside other medicine containing paracetamol can cause an [[overdose]], potentially resulting in serious [[liver damage|liver]] and [[kidney damage]].<ref name="Lemsip Cold and Flu Sachets" />

[[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.<ref name="New Scientist">{{cite web|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2089555-breaking-bad-sniffles-crystal-meth-made-cold-medicine-rubbish/ |title="Breaking bad sniffles: Crystal meth made cold medicine rubbish"|publisher=New Scientist |date=2016-05-23 |accessdate=2022-12-21}}</ref>

==Manufacturing==
Lemsip is manufactured in parent company Reckitt's [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]] and [[Nottingham]] sites.

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.lemsip.co.uk Official site]

{{Reckitt Benckiser}}

[[Category:Antipyretics]]
[[Category:Decongestants]]
[[Category:Reckitt brands]]


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