Health Centres - Lemsip cough chesty
How does it work?
Lemsip cough chesty linctus contains the active ingredient guaifenesin.
Guaifenesin is a type of medicine called a cough expectorant. Expectorants are used to treat a productive or chesty cough, in which phlegm is coughed up.
Expectorants such as guaifenesin are thought to work by stimulating receptors in the stomach, causing a reflex increase in the volume of fluid produced in the airways. This decreases the thickness of the secretions in the airways, thus loosening phlegm and making it easier to cough up.
What is it used for?
Warning!
- If you or your child has any of the following symptoms you should consult your doctor so that the cough can be investigated further: coughing up phlegm that is green, rusty brown, yellow, blood-stained or foul smelling; shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; chest pain; pain and swelling in the calf; sudden weight loss; recurrent night-time cough; or a long-term persistent cough.
- Do not exceed the recommended dose. If symptoms persist consult your doctor.
Use with caution in
- Severely decreased kidney function
- Severely decreased liver function.
Not to be used in
- Children under two years of age, unless on the advice of a doctor.
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- The safety of this medicine in pregnancy has not been fully established, although guaifenesin containing products have been used for many years without apparant ill consequence. As with all medicines, this medicine only be used during pregnancy if considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- The medicine passes into breast milk, but this is not expected to have any harmful effect on a nursing infant. Seek further medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
Side effects
- Abdominal discomfort.
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
