Lemsip vs Sudafed:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Lemsip had more branded searches than Sudafed among cold and flu brands in the United Kingdom. Lemsip had about 40,500 branded searches, while Sudafed had 33,100. Lemsip made up 19.8% of all cold and flu brand searches we track, and Sudafed accounted for 16.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cold and flu brands, Lemsip appeared in two of the five answers and Sudafed in none.
Who do people search for more?
Lemsip, about 22% more searches than Sudafed
Who does AI mention more?
Lemsip, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Sudafed in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Lemsip, the only one of the two named
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Top cold and flu brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Lemsip was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Sudafed did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Lemsip2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Beechams2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Benylin2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Night Nurse0 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
Olbas0 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
Strepsils0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Covonia0 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's the best cold and flu medicine in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's good for a blocked nose?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best cough medicine for a chesty cough?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cold and flu tablets”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cough medicine”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United Kingdom on October 27, 2026.
Is Lemsip or Sudafed more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Lemsip and Sudafed by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine cold and flu brands we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.
Share of searches by month for Lemsip, Sudafed. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Lemsip | Night Nurse | Sudafed | Olbas | Vicks | Strepsils | Covonia | Beechams | Benylin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 19.4% | 19.4% | 15.9% | 11.4% | 13.2% | 10.6% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 3.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 16.9% | 20.6% | 16.9% | 12.1% | 14% | 9.3% | 4.1% | 2.8% | 3.4% |
| Dec 2025 | 16% | 23.9% | 16% | 11.3% | 12.7% | 8.8% | 4.8% | 2.6% | 3.9% |
| Jan 2026 | 15.2% | 22.8% | 18.6% | 10.9% | 12.2% | 10.2% | 4.6% | 2.5% | 3% |
| Feb 2026 | 16.4% | 20.1% | 20.1% | 11.8% | 13.2% | 9% | 4% | 2.2% | 3.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 14.9% | 18.2% | 22.3% | 12.9% | 11.9% | 10% | 3.6% | 2.4% | 3.6% |
| Apr 2026 | 15.6% | 19.1% | 23.3% | 11.1% | 10.2% | 10.4% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 3.8% |
| May 2026 | 14.3% | 17.6% | 21.4% | 12.5% | 11.9% | 11.7% | 4.3% | 2.8% | 3.5% |
| Jun 2026 | 14.4% | 17.6% | 21.6% | 12.7% | 12% | 11.8% | 3.5% | 2.8% | 3.5% |
| Jul 2026 | 12.9% | 19.3% | 23.6% | 11.3% | 10.6% | 12.9% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 3.1% |
| Aug 2026 | 13.6% | 24.8% | 20.3% | 9.7% | 11.3% | 11.1% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 3.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 19.8% | 19.8% | 16.2% | 11.6% | 11.5% | 10.8% | 4% | 3.2% | 3.2% |
How has the Lemsip and Sudafed comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Sudafed took it in January 2026, Lemsip took it in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lemsip’s share of searches among cold and flu brands in the United Kingdom moved from 19.4% to 19.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 49.5K to 40.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sudafed’s share of searches among cold and flu brands in the United Kingdom moved from 15.9% to 16.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 40.5K to 33.1K.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom cold and flu brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Lemsip overtook Night Nurse and Sudafed to become the leader among cold and flu brands in the United Kingdom, with 19.8% of the searches.
In September 2026, Sudafed lost share of searches among cold and flu brands in the United Kingdom, from 20.3% to 16.2%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
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.
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