Lemsip vs Sudafed:Which is more popular by branded search in New Zealand?
In August 2026, Lemsip and Sudafed were level on Share of Search among cold and flu brands in New Zealand, with an estimated 9.5K versus 9.4K branded searches, at 28.5% and 28.2% estimated Share of Search.
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Which is more popular in search, Lemsip or Sudafed?
Compare the cold, flu and sore throat remedy brands New Zealanders reach for. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.
Share of Search by month for Lemsip, Sudafed. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of search table
| Month | Lemsip | Sudafed | Strepsils | Vicks | Coldrex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 20.5% | 35.9% | 24.1% | 17.8% | 1.7% |
| Nov 2025 | 21.8% | 34.6% | 22.3% | 20.3% | 1.1% |
| Dec 2025 | 19.4% | 34.9% | 22.9% | 21.4% | 1.4% |
| Jan 2026 | 20.2% | 33.5% | 24% | 21.1% | 1.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 22.8% | 31.3% | 23.9% | 20.5% | 1.4% |
| Mar 2026 | 24.3% | 31.3% | 25.5% | 17.3% | 1.5% |
| Apr 2026 | 22.7% | 33.5% | 22% | 20.1% | 1.8% |
| May 2026 | 25.3% | 31.2% | 20.9% | 20.6% | 2% |
| Jun 2026 | 25.7% | 30.9% | 21.6% | 20.1% | 1.7% |
| Jul 2026 | 27% | 31.6% | 21% | 18.9% | 1.5% |
| Aug 2026 | 28.5% | 28.2% | 23.2% | 18.9% | 1.1% |
| Sep 2026 | — | — | — | — | — |
How has the Lemsip and Sudafed comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands once in the 11 months ending August 2026: Lemsip took it in August 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Lemsip’s estimated Share of Search among cold and flu brands in New Zealand moved from 20.5% to 28.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.9K to 9.5K.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Sudafed’s estimated Share of Search among cold and flu brands in New Zealand moved from 35.9% to 28.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 5K to 9.4K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand cold and flu brands in August 2026?
2 changes

In August 2026, Lemsip overtook Sudafed to take the highest estimated Share of Search among cold and flu brands in New Zealand, at 28.5%.

In August 2026, Sudafed lost estimated Share of Search among cold and flu brands in New Zealand, from 31.6% to 28.2%.
How each brand is measured
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Lemsip’s and Sudafed’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Lemsip
17 branded search terms
- lemsip
- lemsip capsules
- lemsip cold & flu
- lemsip cough
- lemsip day night
- lemsip decongestant
- lemsip lozenges
- lemsip max
- lemsip max cold & flu
- lemsip max decongestant
- lemsip near me
- lemsip nz
- lemsip pak n save
- lemsip pregnant
- lemsip sachets
- lemsip sore throat
- lemsip woolies
Sudafed
14 branded search terms
- sudafed
- sudafed cold and flu
- sudafed cough
- sudafed day night
- sudafed lozenges
- sudafed near me
- sudafed night
- sudafed nz
- sudafed online
- sudafed pe
- sudafed pseudoephedrine
- sudafed sinus
- sudafed sore throat
- sudafed tablets

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