glycerol + liquid sugar demineralised: clinical use

Prescribing considerations

• Confirm symptoms are consistent with an irritating dry cough or sore throat rather than a productive cough requiring assessment.
• Account for carbohydrate content in people with diabetes.
• Consider glucose content in relation to dental health and check for relevant sugar malabsorption.
• Reassess persistent or worsening symptoms.

Contraindications and cautions

• Hypersensitivity or intolerance to any ingredient
• Rare glucose-galactose malabsorption
• Children under one year

Monitoring

• No product-specific laboratory monitoring is described.
• Monitor for persistent symptoms and hypersensitivity reactions.
• Report suspected adverse reactions through the Yellow Card Scheme.

Clinical pharmacology

Glycerol and sucrose provide local demulcent effects and may reduce stimulation of sensory cough receptors. Swallowed glycerol is absorbed and extensively metabolised, mainly in the liver; sucrose is hydrolysed to glucose and fructose before absorption.

Formulation and product differences

• The product is an oral solution containing glycerol and liquid sugar equivalent to sucrose.
• Excipients include liquid glucose, citric acid, sodium benzoate, black treacle and flavouring components.
• It contains glucose that may harm teeth and is described as essentially sodium-free.