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Strong Pholcodine Linctus BP: Clinical Particulars

 

Active ingredient: pholcodine

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

1. Name of the medicinal product

Strong Pholcodine Linctus BP

 

2. Qualitative and quantitative composition

Each 5ml contains Pholcodine BP 10mg

 

3. Pharmaceutical form

Oral solution: Clear, colourless, raspberry and cola flavoured syrup.

 

4. Clinical particulars

4.1 Therapeutic indications

Suppression of non-productive cough.

 

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Adults: 5 ml spoonful 3-4 times in any 24 hours.

Children: Not recommended.

 

4.3 Contraindications

Liver disease, ventilatory failure, asthma, bronchitis, bronchiectasis. Use in patients with hypersensitivity or idiosyncratic response to the active ingredient, use in children.

 

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) including acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), which can be life-threatening or fatal, have been reported in patients treated with pholcodine, most likely in the first week. Patients should be advised of the signs and symptoms and monitored closely for skin reactions. If signs and symptoms suggestive of these reactions appear, this medicine should be withdrawn immediately.

Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance should not take this medicine.

Caution is needed in patients with a history of drug abuse. Pholcodine is an opioid and addiction is observed with opioids as a class.

 

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Depressant effects may occur with concurrent alcohol ingestion; concurrent (or within 2 weeks) use of MAOIs may lead to excitation; the depressant effects might be increased by phenothiazines, MAOIs and tricyclic anti-depressants.

 

4.6 Pregnancy and lactation

This product should not be used during pregnancy or lactation unless it is considered essential by the physician.

 

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Pholcodine may induce drowsiness. Patients receiving this medication should not drive or operate machinery unless it has been shown not to affect mental or physical ability.

 

4.8 Undesirable effects

Constipation, nausea and drowsiness occasionally occur.

Immune system disorders: hypersensitivity reactions, anaphylaxis.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Unknown: Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (see section 4.4)

 

4.9 Overdose

Restlessness, excitement and ataxia may occur after large doses. A toxic dose in children is reported to be about 200 mg.

Treatment: Gastric lavage with supportive and symptomatic measures. In severe cases, and where respiratory depression occurs an opioid antagonist such as Naloxone – should be considered.

 

5. Pharmacological properties

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Morphine or codeine derivatives. By tradition used mainly as an antitussive. It suppresses the cough reflex by a direct central action, probably in the medulla or pons. It has little or no analgesic or euphorigenic activity.

 

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Metabolised in the liver.

 

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Not stated

 

6. Pharmaceutical particulars

6.1 List of excipients

Citric Acid BP

Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose 7HOF BP

Glycerol BP

Sodium Benzoate BP

Saccharin Sodium BP

Lycasin 80/55 HSE

Ethanol 96% BP

Raspberry/Cola flavour

Purified Water BP to volume

 

6.2 Incompatibilities

None known

 

6.3 Shelf life

Amber glass bottles – 2 years

High density polyethylene bottles – 2 years

 

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Store below 20°C. Protect from light.

 

6.5 Nature and contents of container

Amber Grade III glass bottle with pilfer proof screw cap, 100 ml, 125 ml, 200 ml and 500 ml.

Virgin HDPE bottle with tamper evident screw cap, 500 ml, 1 Litre, 2 Litres.

 

6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling

As for all medicines – no special requirements.

Administrative Data

 

7. Marketing authorisation holder

Pinewood Laboratories Ltd.,

Ballymacarbry, Clonmel,

Co. Tipperary, Ireland

 

8. Marketing authorisation number

PL 04917/0005

 

9. Date of first authorisation/renewal of the authorisation

15 August 1991

 

10. Date of revision of the text

11/06/2020