Horrendous Honey (Vicks Cough Syrup with Honey for Dry and Irritating Coughs)

Member Name: Fiver29

Product:	Vicks Cough Syrup with Honey for Dry and Irritating Coughs
Date:	22/01/09 (232 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: .

Disadvantages: Tastes foul, doesn't stop coughing

Its that time of year when coughs and colds are constantly doing the rounds. Both of my children were struck down with irritating coughs which kept them awake at night. So I tried Vicks Cough Syrup in the hope of a peaceful night.

~The Product~

As with most cough mixtures this comes boxed, and inside the box is the cough syrup itself and a 5ml spoon.

The syrup itself is a thin liquid, not as thin as water, about the consistency of a cooking oil. Its golden yellow in colour and you can smell the honey as soon as you start pouring. Then when you taste it you'd think at first you were drinking pure honey.

The active ingredient in the cough syrup is Dextromethorphan HydroBromide for those that are interested.

Dosages are 3x5ml spoons for an adult and over 12s, 1x5ml spoon for children aged 6-11, half a spoonful for children 2-10.

Up to 4 doses (every 6 hours) can be taken in each 24 hour period.

~My Thoughts~

*Smell

The smell is actually a bit overpowering and sickly. It is slightly off putting when you smell it.

*Taste

The initial taste of honey is nice (providing you like honey), however that almost immediately disappears and you're left with an extremely foul after taste. It reminds me of when you're a child and first start to take paracetamol tablets, but can't swallow them properly. So you end up with the tablet melting on your tongue and tasting vile. That is the sort of taste you're left with here.

Luckily this means I can bring out the old adage my mum used to use when trying to force cod liver oil down us, 'if it tastes horrible, it means its doing you some good'!!

*Other Observations

If you get some of the syrup on your lips it leaves them feeling quite greasy, almost as if you've put a small smear of lipstick on. Presumably this coats your throat as well in the hope of stopping irritations.

~Does it Work?~

The very short answer to that is no!

After giving it to my children and putting up with the moaning and theatrics about how awful it tastes, the coughing started again almost immediately.

I think the biggest effect it has is a placebo one. Because they had taken something for their coughs they felt like something had been done, and stopped coming downstairs every few minutes at night complaining. They were still coughing, but in their minds the cough mixture was working to stop it.

It also makes me feel better, because even though I absolutely know its not working, I feel better at least trying, than just listening to them cough away all night.

~Would I recommend it?~

Again the short answer is no.

I've tried various cough syrups over the years, none of them have ever worked, apart from making you feel that at least you're trying. But most of them have a much nicer taste and don't leave you feeling sick after taking them.

~Price~

A 120ml bottle is available for £3.42 from ChemistDirect.co.uk.

Summary: Definitely one I'll never buy again.