Buttercup Honey and Lemon Syrup: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Buttercup Honey and Lemon Syrup is a traditional herbal medicine containing squill liquid extract and capsicum oleoresin tincture, used to help relieve coughs, colds, sore throats, hoarseness, and throat irritation. It is suitable for adults, the elderly, and children aged 12 years and over, and should not be used for more than one week. The product contains alcohol and sugars, and should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

What is Buttercup Honey and Lemon Syrup

Buttercup Original Cough Syrup is a traditional herbal medicine that has been used in the UK for generations to soothe coughs, colds, and sore throats. It is based on traditional use only and contains two herbal active ingredients, squill liquid extract and capsicum oleoresin tincture.

Buttercup Honey and Lemon Syrup uses

• Coughs
• Colds and flu
• Sore throats
• Hoarseness
• Throat irritation

Benefits of Buttercup Honey and Lemon Syrup

• Helps relieve dry and tickly coughs.
• Can help soothe a sore, irritated throat.
• Helps relieve chesty and bronchial coughs.
• May help ease chest congestion and make coughing more comfortable.
• Honey and glucose provide a soothing coating effect over irritated throat membranes.
• Menthol and ipecacuanha in the traditional formulation help ease congestion and support relief of cough symptoms.

How Buttercup Honey and Lemon Syrup works

The syrup contains squill extract, which acts as a mild expectorant to help thin and loosen mucus so it can be coughed up more easily. It also contains capsicum tincture, which gives a warming feeling that can soothe an irritated throat. The syrup itself coats and soothes the throat.

Buttercup Honey and Lemon Syrup dosage

For oral use only. Shake the bottle well before each use. This syrup is suitable for adults, the elderly, and children aged 12 years and over; it is not suitable for children under 12. An extra dose may be taken at bedtime if the cough is particularly troublesome. Do not use for more than one week. If symptoms persist or worsen after one week, or if you develop difficulty breathing, fever, or blood in your saliva, stop taking the syrup and consult your GP or pharmacist.

Available forms and strengths

• Syrup

Side effects of Buttercup Honey and Lemon Syrup

Common

• Nausea
• Stomach discomfort or cramps
• Vomiting, especially if too much is taken
• Diarrhea
• Mild mouth or throat irritation may occur

Serious

• Difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Blood in your saliva
• Allergic reaction signs such as itching, swelling of the tongue, lips, eyes, or hands, or wheeziness

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this product if you are pregnant.
• Do not use this product if you are breastfeeding.
• This product contains alcohol, which should be considered if you have liver disease.
• This product contains alcohol and may be harmful for people with alcoholism. It should also be considered if you have epilepsy.
• Because of its alcohol content, this product may affect your ability to drive or use machinery.
• Do not use if you are allergic to any of the ingredients or to menthol.
• Do not use if you are taking other medicines that are known to interact with alcohol, such as metronidazole.
• Do not take more than the stated dose.
• Do not take this medicine for longer than one week.
• The product contains sugars (sucrose, fructose, and glucose), which is important if you have diabetes or an intolerance to certain sugars.
• The product contains colourants and preservatives that may cause allergic reactions, sometimes delayed.

Storage

• Store below 25°C (77°F) or as directed on the product label.
• Keep in a cool, dry place away from excessive heat.
• Protect from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
• Keep the bottle tightly closed after each use.
• Do not freeze and avoid storing in hot or humid areas.
• Keep out of reach and sight of children.

When to see a doctor

• Stop taking the syrup and see your GP or pharmacist if your symptoms do not improve or get worse after one week, or if you get difficulty breathing, fever, or blood in your saliva.
• Stop using the product and get medical help right away if you notice signs of an allergic reaction, such as itching, swelling of the tongue, lips, eyes, or hands, or wheezing.
• If you take more than the recommended dose, get medical advice straight away.

Alternatives

• Guaifenesin Syrup
• Simple Linctus
• Glycerin, Honey & Lemon Linctus
• Benylin Cough Syrup