I've Dot a Dold - but this won't help (Lemsip Capsules)

Member Name: cmh4135

Product:	Lemsip Capsules
Date:	22/10/06 (374 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: None - certainly no panacea

Disadvantages: Expensive and don't seem to work

It’s that time of year again. All around the country people are sniffing and blowing their way through the day. Many have stayed in bed, thousands of others wish they could. For those for whom bed rest is impossible the search for the best cold relief is on.

Colds are viral infections and, as such will not respond to anti-biotic treatment (indeed it is thought that overuse of antibiotics as a panacea for both the over-stressed doctor and the irritable patient has lead to bacteria being more resilient to treatment). They are rife at this time of year where we are tossed between mild and cold weather in a similar fashion to a ship caught on the rocks at sea.

I was one of those people who should have stayed in bed. My nose was raw through repeated blowing, my ears were blocked and my throat felt enlarged. My eyes were glazed and weepy and my head was pounding but I went to work – I had little choice. So, on my way in, at 0700 in the morning I sought solace in Boots. Parting with £3.05 for my packet of 12 Lemsip Cold and Flu Max Strength Capsules was painful, but not as painful as my throbbing head. Back at my desk I tore open the packet and took the first dose. I had the second dose about 40 minutes later.

The capsules are designed to relieve the symptoms of colds and flu. They claim on the box to bring relief from headache, body aches, blocked noses, fevers and sore throats. Note here that I say relief. There is no known cure for the common cold and any of these treatments will only serve to relieve the symptoms and not bring about a miracle cure. Indeed, some may say that they actually prolong a cold as they prevent the body doing what it can to rid the body of the virus. Whatever could make me a little more comfortable would be welcome.

The capsules are two-tone red and yellow and look rather plastic-y. They contain paracetamol to ease pain and fever, phenylephrine which acts as a decongestant and caffeine to combat lethargy and sluggishness. Adults are to take two capsules with water every four hours as needed up to a maximum of 8 a day.

So, what have they done? Sweet FA as my mother would say (Fanny Adams for the uninitiated lol!).

I have tried similar remedies in the past and have found them good for the temporary relief of symptoms. After 4 tablets I still had a headache – granted it is not as bad as first thing that morning – and my nose was still blocked and runny and was that way all day. Basically, they have made no more difference than if I had spent 35p on a packet of paracetamol.

Lemsip had an active advertising campaign for their cold and flu capsules, claiming them to be the wonder drug. I think not! I worry too that the fairly high levels of caffeine in the drug could also cause problems if you do take this for a couple of days in a row – withdrawal symptoms here we come.

I went home that night and adopted the old fashioned remedies. A good home cooked meal (ah, where would I be without the slow cooker at times like this), a Vicks vapour rub inhaling session and an early night! I will not be trying these capsules again!


As with all medicines they should be kept away from children and care should be exercised before taking anything. Always read the labels and leaflet carefully and follow the advice.

CLAIRE’s BOTTOM TEN TIPS FOR COMBATTING THAT COLD:

1 – Prevention is better than cure – eat healthily and make sure that you keep your hands very clean so as to avoid inadvertently transferring the virus from your hands to your mouth or nose.

2 – When you get a cold make sure that you continue to eat well (feed a cold and starve a fever).

3 – Get as much rest as is possible – a day at home could mean a few days less suffering.

4 – Don’t spend a fortune on cold relief products, use paracetamol and then inhale from a home made steam bath with Vicks, eucalyptus oil, friar’s balsam, olbas oil or even vinegar added to relieve congestion.

5 – Try not to sniff – the cold will only move to your chest!

6 – Use plenty of lip balm to keep your lips from drying out.

7 – Invest in some lotion impregnated tissues to prevent that Rudolf look. If you do get a red hooter then try something like Nivea cream to soothe and moisturise your nose.

8 – Drink lots of warm drinks to soothe your throat and prevent dehydration.

9 – Wrap up warm when you go out – Granny was right about catching your death of cold!

10 – Get better soon!

Summary: Certainly not a cure-all