Every September the same thing happens at the counter on Oakfield Road: someone holds up two bottles and asks "which one?" The honest answer is that the name of the cough matters more than the brand. Here is how we choose.
First, what kind of cough is it?
- Chesty (productive): you are bringing up mucus. You want an expectorant (guaifenesin) or a mucolytic that loosens it so it clears faster. Suppressing a chesty cough is usually the wrong move.
- Dry or tickly: nothing comes up, it just irritates, often worse at night. A demulcent (glycerol, honey and lemon) coats the throat; stronger options that calm the cough reflex are pharmacy-only.
- Cough with a blocked nose or fever: an all-in-one cold and flu remedy may be simpler than three separate bottles, but check you are not doubling up on paracetamol.
Chesty cough: what we reach for
Covonia Chesty Cough Mixture is the strong-tasting classic many Liverpool customers swear by. Benylin Mucus Cough Max is gentler on the palate and also loosens mucus. Buttercup Bronchostop is a herbal option (thyme and marshmallow root) suitable for all cough types if you would rather avoid a drug-based syrup.
Dry and tickly cough
Care Simple Linctus is the budget soother: it coats and calms and costs less than a coffee. Covonia Dry & Tickly and Benylin Dry & Tickly do the same job with a thicker syrup. For a cough that keeps you awake, the night-time formulas that contain a sedating antihistamine (for example Benylin Chesty Coughs Original or Night Nurse) are pharmacy medicines: on our site you answer a short set of questions first and a pharmacist checks them before we supply. It takes about three minutes.
Things people get wrong
- Taking a suppressant for a chesty cough. You want the mucus out, not trapped.
- Doubling paracetamol. Many cold and flu sachets and capsules contain it. Check the label before adding tablets.
- Cough medicine for under-6s. Most are not suitable. For children, honey (over 1 year), fluids and paracetamol or ibuprofen for discomfort are the usual advice; ask us.
- Decongestants if you have high blood pressure. Pseudoephedrine (in Sudafed) is not for everyone, which is exactly why it is pharmacy-only.
When a cough is not a pharmacy job
See a GP (or call 111) if a cough lasts more than three weeks, you cough up blood, you are short of breath or have chest pain, you have unexplained weight loss or night sweats, or you have a weakened immune system. A child who is struggling to breathe needs urgent help.
Buying online from a real pharmacy
Everything above is on our coughs collection. Ordinary remedies go straight in the basket; pharmacy medicines start with a quick online consultation. Orders are checked at our Liverpool branch (GPhC 9010376) before they leave, and you can always call 0151 263 3631 to talk it through first.
Always read the label and patient information leaflet. This article is general information, not a diagnosis.
