Dozens of Cough, Cold and Flu Medicines RECALLED over 'Rare' Health Risk
In the News
Dozens of children's and adults cough, cold and flu medicines recalled over 'rare' health risk
Boots and Superdrug are among the retailers selling the affected products which have today been withdrawn due to allergic reaction risks
A number of cold and cough medicines have been pulled from shelves today, over 'very rare' health risks.
In total, 20 remedies have been recalled 'as a precaution', following a review by medical regulators.
The recall is due to fears people could experience an allergic reaction to the substance pholcodine – an opioid medicine found in a range of cold and flu products due to its ability to suppress coughing.
Cold and flu remedies Day Nurse, Night Nurse and Covonia are among the 20 remedies being withdrawn by The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Which medicines have been withdrawn?
The remedies sold by pharmacies including Boots and Superdrug, include both syrups and lozenges across the UK.
Regulators have now warned people to check the packaging of cough tablets and syrups at home to see if pholcodine is listed. People should speak to a pharmacist to find an alternative if it does.
Affected products include:
Boots Night Cough Relief Oral Solution
Boots Dry Cough Syrup 6 Years+
Boots Day Cold & Flu Relief Oral Solution
Cofsed Linctus
Care Pholcodine 5mg/5ml Oral Solution Sugar Free
Galenphol Linctus
Galenphol Paediatric Linctus
Galenphol Strong Linctus
Covonia Dry Cough Sugar Free Formula
Pholcodine Linctus Bells Healthcare 5mg Per 5ml Oral Solution
Numark Pholcodine 5mg per 5ml Oral Solution
Well Pharmaceuticals Pholcodine 5mg per 5ml Oral Solution
Superdrug Pholcodine Linctus BP
Strong Pholcodine Linctus BP
Pholcodine Linctus BP
Strong Pholcodine Linctus BP
Pholcodine Linctus
Day & Night Nurse Capsules
Day Nurse Capsules
Day Nurse
Why are the medicines being recalled?
Wow that's a lot being recalled. I checked the list thankfully none we got but thanks for heads up
Imnotcheap I very glad that you haven't got any of these in your cupboard. It was worrying that so many have been recalled?! 
It's scary but I doubt it's anything to worry about and it's more a precaution for the majority of people. Poor people that have suffered an anaphylaxis shock from it.
ellengully It was more worrying, I thought, because it covered so many different products - products that probably all have one or two of in our cupboards.
While the risk is low definitely seems wise to avoid this ingredient. I bought some cough syrup today for my mother and none in that and an existing Night Nurse medication didn't have it in, it only effects the capsules. So not as widespread an ingredient as I first feared.
BonzoBanana Thank goodness for that, if it was in absolutely all products I don't know what would happen! Very glad that you haven't been affected
Thank you for the heads up, thankfully none of the mentioned medicines are used in our house. But thank you raising awareness.
michellhwaire I am very pleased that you don't have any of these in your home and I am happy to share the information.
MelissaLee1 Exactly so, why are they making us sicker than we already are to be by taking their 'defective' medicines.
Lockdown mask new super bugs 
means we are more prone than ever to the misery of cold flu chest infections covid has not taken a holiday we are more reliant on relief of severe symptoms
how can you tell if you need antibiotics without lab test
These over the counter meds are hit and miss and are not cheap
Companies are making a fortune then we are told about recalls
If i had not have read these message i would be none the wiser about recalls
Yes a few are heaving severe reactions thunk i will go back to natural remedies
reddevil2458 Don't you think that these pharmaceutical companies have actually found a cure for colds & flu but won't put it on the market as selling the cold and flu remedies are more lucrative?!
However i find paracetamol helps a lot with severe congestion my case
Will also try honey 
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