Vitaherb Ivy Leaf 35mg/5ml Syrup

Vitaherb Ivy Leaf 35mg/5ml Syrup is an oral cough syrup containing 35mg of dried ivy leaf extract (Hedera helix L.) in every 5ml, supplied in a 100ml bottle. Ivy leaf is a well-established herbal ingredient in cough preparations, and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recognises ivy leaf preparations as expectorants for productive (chesty) cough. The syrup is intended to help loosen phlegm so that it can be cleared from the airways more easily.

This product is a herbal cough syrup, and it should be used according to the directions on its label. DoctorOnCall’s product information gives a dose for adults and children over 12 years and refers younger children to the dosing table on the pack. The full list of inactive ingredients is not confirmed in the information available to us; the product information indicates that it may include sorbitol, propylene glycol, citric acid and purified water, so the bottle label should be checked for the exact formulation.

Ivy leaf syrups must not be given to children under 2 years of age, because cough medicines that loosen mucus can worsen breathing symptoms in this age group. A cough that lasts more than a week, or that comes with breathlessness, fever or discoloured (pus-like) phlegm, should be assessed by a doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a stomach ulcer or gastritis, or take regular medicines, speak to a pharmacist before use.

• Shake the bottle well before each use.
• Measure each dose with the measuring cup or spoon provided rather than a household spoon.
• DoctorOnCall’s product information suggests taking the syrup after meals.
• Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, as good hydration helps to loosen phlegm.
• Follow the age-specific dosing table printed on the pack, especially for children.
• Close the cap tightly after use and keep the bottle out of reach of children.

• Adults and children over 12 years: 5ml three times daily, according to DoctorOnCall’s product information.
• Children aged 2 to 12 years: follow the dosage guidance on the packaging or the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.
• Children under 2 years: do not use.

Do not exceed the recommended dose. If the dose on the bottle label differs from the information above, follow the label. If symptoms persist for more than one week while using the syrup, consult a doctor or pharmacist. Children aged 2 to 4 years with a persistent or recurring cough should be seen by a doctor before this syrup is used.

Refer to the expiry date printed on the bottle or outer carton. Do not use after the expiry date, and check the label for any instruction on how long the syrup may be used once the bottle has been opened.

Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat, and follow any storage temperature stated on the label. Keep the cap tightly closed after each use and keep the bottle out of sight and reach of children.

• Possible: Gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea (frequency not known).
• Possible: Mild stomach discomfort or headache, as listed in DoctorOnCall’s product information.
• Possible: Allergic reactions such as hives (urticaria) or skin rash.
• Possible: If the syrup contains sorbitol, larger amounts may have a mild laxative effect.
• Serious: Severe allergic reactions, including difficulty breathing (dyspnoea) or anaphylaxis. Stop using the syrup and seek urgent medical help.

• Children under 2 years of age, because of the general risk that cough medicines which loosen mucus may worsen breathing symptoms in this age group.
• Known allergy to ivy leaf or to other plants of the Araliaceae family, or to any other ingredient in the syrup.
• Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended, as safety has not been established.
• If the label lists sorbitol, people with hereditary fructose intolerance should not take it without medical advice.

• No drug interactions have been reported for ivy leaf preparations in the EMA herbal monograph.
• Do not take it together with cough suppressants (such as dextromethorphan or codeine) unless advised by a doctor or pharmacist, because suppressing the cough reflex can work against clearing loosened phlegm.
• Avoid combining it with other cough syrups or mucus-loosening medicines unless a pharmacist has confirmed the combination is appropriate.
• There are no known food interactions; taking it after meals may help if you have a sensitive stomach.
• Tell your pharmacist about all medicines, herbal products and supplements you take before using this syrup.

• Ivy leaf works best for a chesty cough with phlegm; a dry, tickly cough may need a different approach, so ask a pharmacist.
• Keep well hydrated to help thin the mucus.
• Check the age-specific dosing table on the pack before giving it to a child, and never give it to a child under 2 years.
• Use the measuring cup provided rather than a kitchen spoon.
• If you have gastritis or a stomach ulcer, speak to a pharmacist before use.
• See a doctor if the cough lasts more than a week or you develop fever, breathlessness or discoloured phlegm.

Precautions: Do not give it to children under 2 years. Children aged 2 to 4 years with a persistent or recurring cough need a medical diagnosis before use. Use with caution if you have gastritis or a stomach ulcer, as ivy leaf can cause stomach upset. Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended. If the label lists sorbitol, people with hereditary fructose intolerance should seek medical advice first.

When to See a Doctor or Pharmacist: See a doctor if symptoms persist for more than one week, or if breathlessness, fever or purulent (pus-like) phlegm develops. Stop using the syrup and seek urgent help if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face or difficulty breathing. Speak to a pharmacist before use if you take other cough medicines or have a long-term lung condition such as asthma.