Cold and flu brands in Australia:Which are most popular?
Strepsils and Sudafed tie for the highest share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia, at 17% each in September 2026. When we checked with ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews, Nurofen was mentioned most often, in three of the five answers.
Follow cold and flu brands and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top cold and flu brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In Brandwave's three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Nurofen was mentioned most often, in three of the five answers. Strepsils, which ranked first in searches, was not mentioned at all.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Nurofen3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Codral2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Demazin1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Strepsils0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Sudafed0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Lemsip0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Bisolvon0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Vicks0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Difflam0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Duro-Tuss0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about cold and flu brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What should I take for a cold in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best cold and flu tablets in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best thing for a sore throat?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cold and flu tablets”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sore throat”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in Australia on October 26, 2026.
Which cold and flu brands do people search for most?
This chart shows how often people search Google for each cold and flu brand by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten cold and flu brands we track, month by month, from searches in Australia.
Share of searches by month for Strepsils, Sudafed, Lemsip, Bisolvon, Codral, Demazin, Vicks, Difflam, Duro-Tuss, Nurofen. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Strepsils | Sudafed | Lemsip | Bisolvon | Codral | Demazin | Vicks | Difflam | Duro-Tuss | Nurofen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 16.2% | 19.8% | 10.8% | 10.8% | 8.8% | 10.8% | 5.9% | 7.2% | 5.9% | 3.9% |
| Nov 2025 | 17.2% | 21.1% | 11.5% | 9.4% | 7.7% | 9.4% | 6.3% | 7.7% | 6.3% | 3.4% |
| Dec 2025 | 15.6% | 23.3% | 10.4% | 10.4% | 8.5% | 8.5% | 6.9% | 6.9% | 5.7% | 3.8% |
| Jan 2026 | 16.4% | 20.1% | 11% | 11% | 8.9% | 8.9% | 7.3% | 7.3% | 5.9% | 3.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 16.6% | 20.3% | 11.1% | 11.1% | 9% | 9% | 7.4% | 7.4% | 4.9% | 3.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 17.2% | 21% | 11.5% | 9.4% | 9.4% | 7.7% | 7.7% | 7.7% | 5.1% | 3.4% |
| Apr 2026 | 16.6% | 20.3% | 13.6% | 9% | 9% | 7.4% | 7.4% | 7.4% | 6% | 3.3% |
| May 2026 | 15.8% | 19.4% | 15.8% | 8.7% | 8.7% | 7.1% | 8.7% | 7.1% | 5.8% | 3.1% |
| Jun 2026 | 14.7% | 18% | 14.7% | 9.9% | 9.9% | 8.1% | 8.1% | 6.6% | 6.6% | 3.6% |
| Jul 2026 | 16.8% | 20.6% | 13.7% | 9.2% | 9.2% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 6.1% | 6.1% | 3.3% |
| Aug 2026 | 16.4% | 20.1% | 13.4% | 9% | 9% | 7.4% | 7.4% | 7.4% | 6% | 4% |
| Sep 2026 | 17% | 17% | 13.9% | 9.3% | 9.3% | 9.3% | 7.6% | 6.2% | 6.2% | 4.1% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, moved from 2nd to 1st | 17% | 18.1K | 0% | +0.6 pointsmoved from 2nd to 1st | |
| 2, moved from 1st to 2nd | 17% | 18.1K | -18.5% | -3.1 pointsmoved from 1st to 2nd | |
| 3, held 3rd | 13.9% | 14.8K | 0% | +0.5 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 9.3% | 9.9K | 0% | +0.3 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 9.3% | 9.9K | 0% | +0.3 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 9.3% | 9.9K | +22.2% | +2 points | |
| 7, moved from 8th to 7th | 7.6% | 8.1K | 0% | +0.3 pointsmoved from 8th to 7th | |
| 8, moved from 7th to 8th | 6.2% | 6.6K | -18.5% | -1.1 pointsmoved from 7th to 8th | |
| 9, held 9th | 6.2% | 6.6K | 0% | +0.2 points | |
| 10, held 10th | 4.1% | 4.4K | 0% | +0.1 points |
17%
Moved from 2nd to 1st. 18.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.6 points.
2.
Sudafed17%
Moved from 1st to 2nd. 18.1K estimated branded searches, -18.5% vs prior month. Share -3.1 points.
3.
Lemsip13.9%
Held 3rd. 14.8K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.5 points.
4.
Bisolvon9.3%
Held 4th. 9.9K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.3 points.
5.
Codral9.3%
Held 5th. 9.9K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.3 points.
6.
Demazin9.3%
Held 6th. 9.9K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share +2 points.
7.
Vicks7.6%
Moved from 8th to 7th. 8.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.3 points.
8.
Difflam6.2%
Moved from 7th to 8th. 6.6K estimated branded searches, -18.5% vs prior month. Share -1.1 points.
6.2%
Held 9th. 6.6K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.
10.
Nurofen4.1%
Held 10th. 4.4K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
Nurofen sells other things too, so only its searches that name this product count here, like “nurofen cold and flu”.
Which brand is most popular in search among cold and flu brands in Australia?
10 brands
Strepsils and Sudafed tie for the highest share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia, at 17% each in September 2026.
| Brand | Share of searches | Peak | Low | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16.2% → 17% | 17.2%Nov 2025 | 14.7%Jun 2026 | 2nd → 1st | |
| 19.8% → 17% | 23.3%Dec 2025 | 17%Sep 2026 | 1st → 2nd | |
| 10.8% → 13.9% | 15.8%May 2026 | 10.4%Dec 2025 | 5th → 3rd | |
| 10.8% → 9.3% | 11.1%Feb 2026 | 8.7%May 2026 | 3rd → 4th | |
| 8.8% → 9.3% | 9.9%Jun 2026 | 7.7%Nov 2025 | 6th → 5th | |
| 10.8% → 9.3% | 10.8%Oct 2025 | 7.1%May 2026 | 4th → 6th | |
| 5.9% → 7.6% | 8.7%May 2026 | 5.9%Oct 2025 | 9th → 7th | |
| 7.2% → 6.2% | 7.7%Nov 2025 | 6.1%Jul 2026 | 7th → 8th | |
| 5.9% → 6.2% | 6.6%Jun 2026 | 4.9%Feb 2026 | 8th → 9th | |
| 3.9% → 4.1% | 4.1%Sep 2026 | 3.1%May 2026 | 10th |
Each finding as a sentence
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Strepsils’ share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia increased from 16.2% to 17%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sudafed’s share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia decreased from 19.8% to 17%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lemsip’s share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia increased from 10.8% to 13.9%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Bisolvon’s share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia decreased from 10.8% to 9.3%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Demazin’s share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia decreased from 10.8% to 9.3%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Vicks’ share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia increased from 5.9% to 7.6%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Difflam’s share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia decreased from 7.2% to 6.2%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Strepsils’ share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia peaked at 17.2% in November 2025 and was lowest at 14.7% in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sudafed’s share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia peaked at 23.3% in December 2025 and was lowest at 17% in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lemsip’s share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia peaked at 15.8% in May 2026 and was lowest at 10.4% in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Bisolvon’s share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia peaked at 11.1% in February 2026 and was lowest at 8.7% in May 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Codral’s share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia peaked at 9.9% in June 2026 and was lowest at 7.7% in November 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Demazin’s share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia peaked at 10.8% in October 2025 and was lowest at 7.1% in May 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Vicks’ share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia peaked at 8.7% in May 2026 and was lowest at 5.9% in October 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Difflam’s share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia peaked at 7.7% in November 2025 and was lowest at 6.1% in July 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Duro-Tuss’ share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia peaked at 6.6% in June 2026 and was lowest at 4.9% in February 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Nurofen’s share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia peaked at 4.1% in September 2026 and was lowest at 3.1% in May 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Strepsils rose from 2nd to 1st among cold and flu brands in Australia.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sudafed fell from 1st to 2nd among cold and flu brands in Australia.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lemsip rose from 5th to 3rd among cold and flu brands in Australia.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Bisolvon fell from 3rd to 4th among cold and flu brands in Australia.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Codral rose from 6th to 5th among cold and flu brands in Australia.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Demazin fell from 4th to 6th among cold and flu brands in Australia.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Vicks rose from 9th to 7th among cold and flu brands in Australia.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Difflam fell from 7th to 8th among cold and flu brands in Australia.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Duro-Tuss fell from 8th to 9th among cold and flu brands in Australia.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Nurofen held steady: its share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia moved less than 0.5 percentage points.
How did search popularity change for Australia cold and flu brands in September 2026?
8 changes

In September 2026, Strepsils overtook Sudafed to become the leader among cold and flu brands in Australia, with 17% of the searches.

In September 2026, Demazin gained share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia, from 7.4% to 9.3%.

In September 2026, Sudafed lost share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia, from 20.1% to 17%.

In September 2026, Difflam lost share of searches among cold and flu brands in Australia, from 7.4% to 6.2%.

In September 2026, Vicks rose from 8th to 7th among cold and flu brands in Australia.

Estimated monthly branded searches for Lemsip in Australia rose 82.7% over 12 measured months, from 8.1K to 14.8K in September 2026.

Estimated monthly branded searches for Nurofen in Australia rose 51.7% over 12 measured months, from 2.9K to 4.4K in September 2026.

Estimated monthly branded searches for Codral in Australia rose 50% over 12 measured months, from 6.6K to 9.9K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted for cold and flu brands?
10 search terms
Each brand's share of searches among cold and flu brands comes from the terms listed under its name. When people mostly search for a brand because of something else it sells, only the searches that name this product count here.
Strepsils
1 branded search term
- strepsils
Sudafed
1 branded search term
- sudafed
Lemsip
1 branded search term
- lemsip
Bisolvon
1 branded search term
- bisolvon
Codral
1 branded search term
- codral
Demazin
1 branded search term
- demazin
Vicks
1 branded search term
- vicks
Difflam
1 branded search term
- difflam
Duro-Tuss
1 branded search term
- duro tuss
Nurofen
1 branded search term
- nurofen cold and flu
Compare popularity between leading brands

Strepsils vs Sudafed: compare popularity
Strepsils vs Lemsip: compare popularity
Strepsils vs Bisolvon: compare popularity
Strepsils vs Codral: compare popularity
Sudafed vs Lemsip: compare popularity
Sudafed vs Bisolvon: compare popularity
Sudafed vs Codral: compare popularity
Lemsip vs Bisolvon: compare popularity
Lemsip vs Codral: compare popularity
Bisolvon vs Codral: compare popularity- Compare any of these brands

See your own brand in this picture
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to your campaigns, spend and outcomes, so you can see what moved your numbers, not just that they moved.