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Buttercup Original Cough Syrup – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for healthcare professionals

Last updated: · Text from the MHRA, as of · About this document

Medicine status: General sale (GSL) Details

Medicine strength:
620 nanolitre/ml + 500 nanolitre/ml
Contains active substances:

Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - Buttercup Original Cough syrup

1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Buttercup Original Cough Syrup

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each 5ml of syrup contains:

3.1 microlitres of extract (as liquid extract) from Squill bulb (Drimia maritima

(L.) Stearn.) (1:1)

Extraction solvent: Ethanol 65% v/v

2.5 microlitres of tincture from Capsicum Oleoresin (Capsicum annuum L. var. minimum (Miller) Heiser) (1:10)

Extraction solvent: Ethanol 96% v/v

5 ml of syrup also contains 99mg of ethanol, 1.8g sucrose, 1.3g fructose and 1.3g glucose (as Partial Invert Syrup), 3.5mg of sodium methyl hydroxybenzoate (E219), 1.5 mg of sodium propyl hydroxybenzoate (E217) carmoisine E122 and Sunset Yellow E110. (See Section 4.4 ‘Special warnings and precautions for use.’)

For full list of excipients, see section 6.1

3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Syrup

Reddish-brown oral liquid.

4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

A traditional herbal medicinal product used for the relief of coughs, colds and sore throats, based on traditional use only.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

For oral use only

Adults, the elderly and children over 12 years: Two 5 ml spoonfuls three times a day and at bedtime, if the cough is troublesome.

This product is not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age (See Section 4.4 special warnings and precautions for use.’)

Duration of use:

Do not use for more than one week.

If symptoms worsen or persist after one week, consult a doctor or qualified healthcare practitioner.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to any of the active ingredients, or menthol or any of the excipients.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Do not exceed the stated dose.

If symptoms worsen or persist after one week, consult a doctor or qualified healthcare practitioner.

If dyspnoea, fever or purulent sputum occurs, a doctor or qualified healthcare practitioner should be consulted.

This product is not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age because data are not sufficient and medical advice should be sought.

This medicine contains 3.6 g sucrose, 2.6 g glucose and 2.6 g fructose (as Partial Invert Syrup) in each dose (10 ml). This should be taken into account in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency should not take this medicine. It may also be harmful to the teeth.

The additive effect of concomitantly administered products containing fructose (or sorbitol) and dietary intake of fructose (or sorbitol) should be taken into account. Patients with hereditary fructose intolerance should not be given this product. This medicinal product contains 4.6% v/v ethanol (alcohol), i.e. up to 198 mg per 10ml dose, equivalent to 5ml beer, 2ml wine per dose.

The small amount of alcohol in this medicine will not have any noticeable effects.

Harmful for those suffering from alcoholism. To be taken into account in pregnant or breast feeding women, children and high risk groups such as patients with liver disease or epilepsy.

Contains Sunset yellow (E110) and Carmoisine (E122), which may cause allergic reactions.

Contains Sodium methyl hydroxybenzoate (E219) and Sodium propyl hydroxybenzoate (E217). May cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose (10ml), that it to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

No interactions studies have been performed.

Contains alcohol and should be avoided in patients taking other medicines known to interact with alcohol (e.g. metronidazole)

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and lactation

Safety during pregnancy and lactation has not been established. Due to the lack of data, use during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended.

Studies on the effects on fertility have not been performed.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive or operate machines have been performed.

Contains alcohol. See Section 2.

4.8 Undesirable effects

None reported.

If other adverse reactions occur, a doctor or a qualified healthcare practitioner should be consulted.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

4.9 Overdose

No cases reported.

Very high doses of Squill would be emetic and could be cardioactive.

Overdose of this product may result in alcohol intoxication and should be treated accordingly. The amount of alcohol in a full bottle is:

1.4 g in 75 ml, equivalent 34.1 ml beer or 14.2 ml wine

2.7 g in 150 ml, equivalent 68.3 ml beer or 28.4 ml wine

3.6 g in 200 ml, equivalent 91 ml beer or 37.9 ml wine

5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Not required as per Article 16c(1)(a)(iii) of Directive 2001/83/EC as amended

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Not required as per Article 16c(1)(a)(iii) of Directive 2001/83/EC as amended

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Tests on reproductive toxicity, carcinogenicity and genotoxicity have not been performed.

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Acacia Powder

Caramel Colour (E150)

Ethanol

Levomenthol

Clove Oil

Peppermint Oil

Sodium methyl hydroxybenzoate (E219)

Sodium propyl hydroxybenzoate (E217)

Potassium sorbate

Aniseed Flavour

Purified Water

Carmoisine (E122)

Sunset Yellow (E110)

Strong Ginger Tincture (ginger, ethanol, water)

Acetic Acid

Saccharin Sodium

Partial Invert Syrup (sucrose, fructose and glucose)

6.2 Incompatibilities

None known.

6.3 Shelf life

3 years (unopened).

28 days (after first opening the bottle)

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Do not store above 25˚C. Store in the original container

6.5 Nature and contents of container

Clear glass bottle with aluminium tamper-evident screw-cap: 75 ml, 150 ml, 200 ml, 300 ml

Amber glass bottle with aluminium tamper-evident screw-cap: 300 ml

Not all pack sizes may be marketed

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

There are no special precautions for disposal.

7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Phoenix Labs Unlimited Company

Suite 12

Bunkilla Plaza

Bracetown Business Park

Clonee

County Meath

Ireland

8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

THR 35104/0055

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE

AUTHORISATION

29/04/2013

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

21/10/2024

About this document

Source: MHRA - Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (products.mhra.gov.uk) · Marketing authorisation: THR351040055

Last revision stated in the text: 21 October 2024 · MHRA data as of 13 October 2026

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The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Facts about Buttercup Original Cough syrup

Prescription needed? No, general sale list medicine (GSL) – also sold outside pharmacies
Active substances Squill, Capsicum
Strength 620 nanolitre/ml + 500 nanolitre/ml
Pharmaceutical form Oral solution
Reddish-brown oral liquid.
How is it taken Oral
Excipients Acacia Powder, Caramel Colour (E150), Ethanol, Levomenthol, Clove Oil, Peppermint Oil, Sodium methyl hydroxybenzoate (E219), Sodium propyl hydroxybenzoate (E217), Potassium sorbate, Aniseed Flavour, Purified Water, Carmoisine (E122), Sunset Yellow (E110), Strong Ginger Tincture (ginger, ethanol, water), Acetic Acid, Saccharin Sodium, Partial Invert Syrup (sucrose, fructose and glucose)
Pack sizes 75 ml, 150 ml, 200 ml
Is it available? Listed as available (NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices – not a record of current supplies)
Shelf life 3 years (unopened).
28 days (after first opening the bottle)
Storage Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original container
Marketing authorisation THR 35104/0055 (first authorised 29 April 2013)
Marketing authorisation holder Phoenix Labs Unlimited Company
Codes GTIN 5012616174407, 5012616174803, 5012616175008 · BNF 03090200

Sources: the MHRA product information (products.mhra.gov.uk) and the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), release 10.2.0 of 19 October 2026, NHS Business Services Authority. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.