I felt compelled to write this after one of the most horrendous experiences I have had. I woke up this morning with an awful sore throat and blocked nose knowing that this will be the seventh cold since September...still I continued to attend my first ever driving lesson and wait until I got home to see if it 'passed'...it didn't and this evening I raided the medicine box looking for my tub of Vicks (I used it up last time), my Sudafed tablets (someone pinched them) and my cough medicine was also taken. I realised that after the chemist had closed and with a 'farty' supermarket on my doorstep the Lemsips were the only option. At about £3 for box containing 10 packets I thought it was a good price so decided to try it. I absolutely love lemons in fact I could eat them all day long. The Lemsips seemed like a good idea. I had previously been a little cautious of Lemsips for the simple fact that I hate soluble Paracetamol. When I was younger I was prescribed soluble Paracetamol because I couldn't take tablets and the simple thought of those days makes me urge.

The box pledged to make a sore throat better, unblock noses, minimise fever, help with aches and pains and generally assist with the symptoms of cold and flu. The product contained Paracetamol and this is usually great for aches, pains and fever so I thought the Lemsips would be a good idea, and the claim that they had a sweet taste of lemon was a selling point.

The packet was easy to open with a tear off top but the powder did get up my nose and despite making me want to sneeze it reminded me of cheap sherbet. I added the powder to the cup and poured the 'hot but not boiling water' on top. I had a quick taste and nearly threw up so added as recommended a spoonful of honey and mixed it well.

I took my mug upstairs and sat in bed with my new Nintendo DS expecting this drink to now taste quite lemony but sweet. I took the first mouthful and wretched. I couldn't drink anymore without eating something between each mouthful to help it down.

The pattern was soon:

Lemsip...wretch...pringle...some cola...breathe...hold nose...Lemsip...wretch...pringle...some cola...breathe...hold nose... yeah you've got it the experience was awful. I managed to keep up with this until the last mouthful where I decided to hold my nose and take a huge gulp to finish it and this was when I was sick...yes that's right £3 down the pan (literally!).

I was a bit annoyed as I could have just taken 2 Paracetamol tablets, made a hot water bottle and eaten a slice of lemon and gone to bed and been asleep in no time. Thing is every time I lie down I taste the cheap sweetener (aspartame) and Paracetamol and feel very sick. The Lemsip did not taste of lemon at all and as a big lover of lemon I was very disappointed.

BUT HOW DID I FEEL?
Well the fact I was sick and probably brought up the contents of the packet the Lemsip didn't really do a lot for me. I didn't feel less blocked and my nose is feeling very sore and blocked. I am not aching as much and my eyes do not feel as sore. My throat is still feeling very raw. The Lemsips in my opinion did very little to help me and as far as I can see is just one of those 'quick-fix remedies' marketed at people who like me tonight are desperate for a fast cure. I have now realised that making my own hot lemon drink and taking two Paracetamol tablets would be a lot easier and more effective.

INGREDIENTS
1000mg Paracetamol
12.2mg Phenylephrine hydrochloride
200mg Guaifenesin

The Lemsips contain a similar amount of Paracetamol to 2 tablets as well as ingredients to help with other symptoms such as cough and blocked nose. In theory these sound good and on paper they should be very effective but in my experience they are a waste of money. I know my mum swears by these so they must do some good for some people...me on the other hand I won't go there again.


Other products...
There are other flavours available such as Blackcurrant and different remedies for various complaints the most common is obviously the Lemon flavour but you can find out more on this website --- http://www.lemsip.com