The Best UK Cough Medicines - A Pharmacist's Guide

With so many options on the shelves in 2025, choosing the right cough medicine can be confusing. As a family-run pharmacy, we believe that understanding the active ingredients is the first step to finding relief. We've compiled this detailed guide to help you compare the top UK cough medicine brands — Benylin, Covonia, Bronchostop, and Robitussin—so you can make an informed choice and get back to feeling your best.

The Two Types of Coughs and Their Treatments

Before exploring the brands, it's vital to know what kind of cough you have.

Chesty Cough (Productive): This cough produces mucus or phlegm. Your goal is to clear this from your chest. Look for an expectorant ingredient like Guaifenesin, which thins the mucus, making it easier to cough up.
Dry Cough (Unproductive): This is a tickly, irritating cough that doesn't produce mucus. For this, you need a suppressant ingredient like Dextromethorphan to calm the cough reflex.

Detailed Brand Comparison

Here is an in-depth breakdown of the most popular brands and their formulations.

Benylin

Benylin is a household name, trusted for its comprehensive and targeted range.

Key Ingredients: Benylin's chesty cough products typically contain Guaifenesin and Levomenthol. Guaifenesin works as an expectorant to break down mucus, while Levomenthol provides a cooling, soothing sensation that can help clear your airways. For dry coughs, their products use Dextromethorphan to suppress the cough reflex at the source.
Best For: Users seeking a reliable, non-drowsy, and scientifically-formulated product for a specific cough type. Benylin is an excellent all-rounder with a trusted heritage.

Covonia

Known for its powerful and distinctive mentholated taste, Covonia is for those who want to feel the medicine working.

Key Ingredients: Covonia Chesty Cough Mixture relies on a traditional formula of Liquorice and Squill extracts, which act as expectorants to help loosen phlegm. The high concentration of Menthol also provides a powerful decongestant effect, helping you to breathe more easily. Their dry cough products use Dextromethorphan to calm the tickly sensation.
Best For: Individuals with a chesty cough who prefer a strong, fast-acting sensation to help clear their airways.

Bronchostop

Bronchostop stands out for its traditional herbal approach, offering a single solution for both dry and chesty coughs.

Key Ingredients: This unique formula combines Thyme Herb extract and Marshmallow Root extract. The thyme is believed to have an expectorant effect, helping to loosen mucus, while the marshmallow root soothes the dry, irritated lining of the throat.
Best For: People who have a mixed cough, or are unsure whether their cough is dry or chesty. It’s also a great option for those who prefer a non-drowsy, traditional herbal medicine.

Robitussin

Robitussin is a well-known brand that provides effective, targeted relief with specific formulations.

Key Ingredients: Similar to Benylin, Robitussin's chesty cough products contain Guaifenesin to thin and loosen mucus. Its dry cough range uses Dextromethorphan to suppress the cough reflex. Robitussin is also known for its pleasant flavours, making it a good choice for those who are sensitive to stronger tastes.
Best For: Users who need effective relief for a clear cough type (chesty or dry) and appreciate a more palatable flavour.

Which Brand is Right for You? Our Quick Recommendations

Category	Our Top Recommendation	Why it works
Best for Chesty Cough	Benylin Chesty Cough	Contains Guaifenesin, a highly effective expectorant to thin and loosen mucus.
Best for Dry Cough	Benylin Dry Cough	Contains Dextromethorphan to effectively suppress the cough reflex.
Best for Both Chesty & Dry Coughs	Bronchostop	The combination of Thyme and Marshmallow root provides a dual action to soothe irritation and clear mucus.
Best for a Powerful Sensation	Covonia Chesty Cough	The strong mentholated formula provides an immediate feeling of relief and helps clear your airways.
Best for Targeted Relief	Robitussin	The product range is clearly separated for chesty or dry coughs, with reliable, effective ingredients.

Benylin vs. Covonia: The UK's Cough Medicine Giants

When comparing these two, it often comes down to personal preference. Benylin is celebrated for its precise, targeted formulas, using well-researched ingredients like Guaifenesin and Dextromethorphan. It's a reliable, no-frills choice for many. Covonia, on the other hand, is known for its powerful, traditional feel. The strong menthol flavour is a key differentiator and a reason many customers remain loyal, as it provides a strong, reassuring sensation of working quickly.

Robitussin vs. Bronchostop: A Modern vs. Traditional Approach

This comparison highlights the difference between an active-ingredient approach and a traditional herbal remedy. Robitussin, like Benylin, uses established pharmacological ingredients (Guaifenesin and Dextromethorphan) for predictable, targeted relief. Bronchostop offers an alternative for those seeking a more natural solution, with its thyme and marshmallow root blend. This makes Bronchostop a popular choice for those with a cough that has mixed symptoms or for whom a traditional herbal option is preferred.

Need More Advice? Our Pharmacists Are Here to Help

If you're still uncertain, remember that the friendly and professional team at Weldricks Pharmacy is always here to help. You can explore our full range of cough and cold remedies with the confidence that you're getting a genuine product from a UK regulated pharmacy. We have a 4.9/5 Trustpilot rating from over 85,000 customers.

FAQs

What's the difference between a suppressant and an expectorant?
Can I take cough medicine with other medications?
Why does some cough medicine make me sleepy?
How long should a cough last?

What's the difference between a suppressant and an expectorant?

A suppressant is a type of medicine that calms your cough reflex, helping to reduce the urge to cough. It is used for dry, tickly coughs. An expectorant, on the other hand, helps to thin and loosen mucus in your chest, making it easier for you to cough it up. This is used for chesty coughs.

Can I take cough medicine with other medications?

It is always important to check with a pharmacist before taking cough medicine with other medications, as some ingredients can interact. For example, decongestants can affect blood pressure, so they might not be suitable if you are taking blood pressure medication. Our pharmacists can provide professional, personalised advice.

Why does some cough medicine make me sleepy?

Some older cough medicines contain antihistamines, which can cause drowsiness as a side effect. Many modern cough medicines are formulated to be non-drowsy, but it's always best to check the packaging. If you need to drive or operate machinery, always choose a non-drowsy option.

How long should a cough last?

A typical cough, often caused by a cold, usually lasts for about 1 to 3 weeks. If your cough is persistent, getting worse, or you're concerned about it, you should consult your GP or a pharmacist for advice.