Two weeks ago I started feeling a bit run down and flu-ish so when I next went to the supermarket to pick up essentials I initially started looking at the Lemsip drinks as something to perk me up and feel a bit better...

When on the medicine section looking for these I came across the Tesco own version - I have previously seen them but avoided them in the past assuming that they wouldn't work, being a supermarket own medicine... However over the last few months I have been using Tesco painkillers which have been so cheap and effective, I thought I would give these a try...

The sachet flavour I chose for this was blackcurrent - usually when I feel under the weather, a hot blackcurrent drink normally helps me feel a lot better!

A box of 10 sachets works out at £1.80 - which is 18p per sachet. I think this is brilliant value for money considering Lemsip Blackcurrent sachets of 10 cost £3.00 per pack - or 30p each. Its not the biggest saving but every little helps!

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About the packaging

The sachets come in a deep cardboard box which is mostly green and purple in colour. One of the things you notice about the cardboard box is across the front label you have braille circles for blind or visually impaired people. I think this is a nice little thing to be on a Tesco value product as you normally get this on the more expensive products...

The front of the box advises you that this is Cold and Flu Relief - Max Strength. It then goes on to give information that that the sachets in the box are blackcurrent flavored - there is also an image of a hot drink in a cup with some blackcurrant fruit next to it.

The front label also confirms this contains paracetamol and phenylephrine - it is useful to treat headache, fever, aches & pains, sore throat and blocked/runny noses - All of which I had the symptoms for when I bought this!

On the sides of the box there is smaller versions of what is printed on the front label.

The expiry date is listed on the bottom of the box - I purchased mine in 2012 and the expiry date isnt for another 2 years in 2014 - which is great for a supermarket value product.

The back labels give information on dosage, instructions and ingrediants -

The product is for oral usage only. You simply mix the sachet contents into hot water and drink once disolved. You should also leave 4-6 hours between each sachet drink as it is paracetamol based and overdose can kill / cause serious injury. You should also not take this with any other paracetamol based medicines.

* Product is suitable for adults, the elderley and children over the age of 12

As previously mentioned the main ingrediants are paracetamol and phenylephrine.

* You should store in the original packaging and in cool dry place.

When you take out a sachet the front and back labels are miniture versions of the cardboard packaging - and also gives the same information.

The sachets are made out of a paper like material and can be easily ripped open to pour into a cup.

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The scent

When the sachet is ripped open you need to put your nose close to the sachet to smell this - to me they smell like Strepsil blackcurrant throat lozenges - although the smell is not overpowering.

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About the powder

The powder is like a very powdery sugar - it sparkles slightly and is an almost white-purple colour.

When mixed with hot water the power disolves very easily.

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My verdict

In my honest opinion I hate all cold and flu sachet drinks. I can taste the paracetamol through all off them - From the Tesco brand to the more expensive brands. I do literally have to force myself to drink things like this just to feel a little bit better...

I believe the blackcurrant one always tastes better as opposed to other flavours such as Lemon and are much easier to drink.

Like the more expensive sachet drinks this stuff is not an instant cure to cold and flu symptoms it simply helps make you feel that little bit better. I do believe this is just as effective as the other brands however.