WHAT’S IN IT?

We reveal the ingredients used in everyday health products

THIS week: Beechams All-In-One

Paracetamol: The most commonly used pain relief drug in Europe and the U.S., it is widely regarded as safe within recommended doses, but has been known to cause skin rashes occasionally.

Guaifenesin: Increases the volume and reduces the thickness of phlegm, making coughing more effective. Guaifenesin is derived from the gum of the guaiac tree. Phenylephrine: A study from Austrian researchers in 2009 found that this drug is only mildly more effective than a placebo at clearing airways. It works by shrinking swollen blood vessels in your nose that give the feeling of a stuffy nose. Sorbitol: An alcohol made from sugar to sweeten and thicken cough syrup. Ethanol: The chemical name for alcohol. Used in cough syrup to help the other ingredients dissolve. Propylene glycol: This helps your body absorb the paracetamol by mixing it with the other ingredients.