Adults and children aged 12 years and over should take two 5ml spoonfuls (10ml) every four hours as needed, up to a maximum of four times a day. There are currently no other cough medicines available in the UK that contain exactly the same combination of active ingredients as this one. However, there are various other cough remedies with similar ingredients on the market.

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23mg) per dose, which is to say essentially 'sodium-free' The other ingredients are: liquid maltitol (E965), sorbitol (E420), ethanol, propylene glycol (E1520), glycerol (E422), saccharin sodium, sodium cyclamate, acesulfame potassium (E950), sodium gum (E415), levomenthol, eucalyptus oil, colours: quinoline yellow (E104), patent blue v (E131) and purified water People suffering from alcoholism or epilepsy. This medicine contains a small amount of alcohol (equivalent to 15ml beer or 6ml wine per 10ml dose). The active ingredients per 20ml are: paracetamol 1000mg, phenylephrine hydrochloride 12.18mg, guaifenesin 200mg, cetylpyridinium chloride 3mg Sodium methyl, ethyl and propyl parahydroxybenzoates (E215, E219) which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed)Covonia herbal mucus cough syrup contains three active ingredients, ipecacuanha liquid extract, liquorice liquid extract and squill liquid extract. All of these are cough expectorants. While Covonia chesty cough mixture is suitable for most adults, there are certain people who shouldn't take it. These include:

Allergic reactions such as flushing, hives or an itchy rash. Stop using the cough syrup and get medical advice if you think you've had an allergic reaction to it. The amount of alcohol in this medicine is not likely to have an effect in adults and adolescents, and its effects in children are not likely to be noticeable. It may have some effect in younger children, for example feeling sleepy In particular, if you're taking any of the following medicines you should get advice from your pharmacist before taking Covonia herbal mucus cough syrup, because you may be more likely to get side effects from this cough medicine if you are taking one or more of these: People who are allergic or intolerant to any of its ingredients, which include pine oil. For a full list of ingredients read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.

If symptoms get worse, if you get a fever, shortness of breath or blood in your saliva, or if symptoms persist for more than 7 days, consult a doctor or qualified healthcare professional. If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor or our pharmacist before taking this product. If you suffer from any allergies, ask your doctor or our pharmacist if this medicine is right for you. Ingestion of large doses of the active ingredients has been reported to cause the following effects: Gastrointestinal disturbances such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea would be expected to occur with the menthol and squill. Expectorants such as squill and liquorice are thought to work by increasing the volume of fluid produced in the airways. This helps to thin and loosen the mucus in the airways, making it easier to cough up. In addition CNS effects such as vertigo, ataxia and drowsiness have been reported after ingestion of large quantities of menthol; reported adverse effects following excessive ingestion of liquorice include hypertension, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrest, headache, muscle weakness, myopathy, myoglobinuria, paralysis, hyperprolactinaemia and amenorrhoea.