Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Peppermint Water BP 1973
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Peppermint oil may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
for
- Peppermint Water BP 1973 is a traditional herbal medicinal product containing 2.5 microlitres of Peppermint Mentha x piperita L.) in each 5ml oral solution.
- Peppermint oil belongs to a group of products known as anti-flatulents.
- A traditional herbal medicinal product used for the symptomatic relief of minor digestive complaints such as dyspepsia, flatulence and stomach cramps, based on traditional use only.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding Peppermint Water BP 1973 is not recommended during pregnancy and lactation. You should consult your doctor, pharmacist or qualified healthcare practitioner if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Driving and using machines No studies on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. Important information about some of the ingredients of Peppermint Water BP 1973 This product also contains sodium methyl, ethyl and propyl hydroxybenzoates (E219, E215 and E217) which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).
How to take it
Peppermint Water BP 1973 Always shake the bottle thoroughly before use. Peppermint Water BP 1973 is taken by mouth. The dose can vary widely according to the level of your discomfort, but is normally: Adults, the elderly and children over 12 years of age Two – eight 5ml spoonfuls to be taken 3-4 times daily, as required. Do not take more than the label/leaflet tells you to. If symptoms worsen, or persist for more than 2 weeks, a doctor or qualified healthcare practitioner should be consulted. If you take too much of this product (overdose) If you feel unwell talk to your doctor, pharmacist or qualified healthcare practitioner.
2. Before you take Peppermint Water BP 1973
If you forget to take this product Do not take a double dose. Take the next dose when it becomes due.
Do not take this product if you:
- are allergic to any of the ingredients listed in this leaflet, or menthol, which is found in Peppermint Oil
- are under 12 years old
- have problems with your bile duct e.g. infection, blockage or inflammation of your bile duct or gallstones or other biliary problems
- are suffering from heartburn, or hiatus hernia, as it may make it worse
- have an ulcer in your mouth, stomach or gut.
If you have any questions or are unsure about anything ask your doctor, pharmacist or qualified healthcare practitioner.
Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
What this product looks like and content of the pack Peppermint Water is a clear, sugar free liquid. It is available in bottles of 100ml. *BP stands for British Pharmacopoeia.
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Traditional Herbal Registration Holder: Macarthys Laboratories Limited TA Martindale Pharma, Bampton Road, Romford, Essex, RM3 8UG, United Kingdom. Manufacturer: Queens Hospitals, Burton, Pharmacy Manufacturing Unit, Queens Hospital, Belvedere Road, Burton-On-Trent, DE13 0RB, United Kingdom.
There are no special storage precautions for this product. Store in the original packaging.
Traditional Herbal Registration No.: THR 01883/0014
Use by date: Do not use Peppermint Water BP 1973 after the expiry date on the label, or if there are any signs of discolouration or clouding of the solution.
This leaflet was last revised in April 2020
Possible side effects
Like all medicines Peppermint Water BP 1973 can cause side effects although not everybody gets them. There is a possibility you might develop hypersensitivity to menthol (which is found in Peppermint Oil) or Peppermint Oil itself. If you do you may suffer skin rash, headache, muscle tremor, effects on heart rate, or other unexpected symptoms. Continued overleaf
100mm Measurement Verification Bar
If you think you are having an allergic reaction to this product, or suspect any other side effect, tell your doctor, pharmacist or qualified healthcare practitioner as soon as you can.
D05308
5308-C
How to store it
Peppermint Water BP 1973
6. Further Information What Peppermint Water BP* 1973 contains: Each 10ml of oral solution contains 5 microlitres of the active substance Peppermint oil (Mentha x piperita L.). Other ingredients are: glycerol, carbomer, citric acid, sodium methyl, ethyl and propyl hydroxybenzoates (E219, E215 and E217) and purified water.
TM
Certification Mark
Frequently asked questions about Peppermint Water BP 1973
What is the active substance in Peppermint Water BP 1973?
The active substance in Peppermint Water BP 1973 is peppermint oil.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Peppermint Water BP 1973, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Peppermint Water BP 1973 without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: peppermint oil
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
A traditional herbal medicinal product used for the symptomatic relief of minor digestive complaints such as dyspepsia, flatulence and stomach cramps, based on traditional use only.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Adults, the elderly and children over 12 years of age:
Two - eight 5 ml spoonfuls to be taken 3-4 times daily, as required
This product is not recommended for use in children aged 12 years and under (see 'Section 4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use')
If symptoms worsen, or persist for more than 2 weeks, a doctor or qualified healthcare practitioner should be consulted.
4.3. Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to Peppermint Oil preparations, menthol or any of the excipients.
Obstructions of bile ducts, cholangitis, gallstones, and any other biliary diseases.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Do not exceed the stated dose
Patients who already suffer from gastroesophageal reflux (heartburn) or hiatal hernia sometimes have an exacerbation of this symptom after taking peppermint oil. Treatment should be discontinued in these patients.
Peppermint oil should be used with caution with inflamed and ulcerated conditions of the gastrointestinal tract.
This product contains sodium methyl, ethyl, propyl parahydroxybenzoates [E219, E215 and E217] and should not be used by patients who are allergic to hydroxybenzoates. Allergic reactions may be delayed in onset.
The use in children under 12 years is not recommended as data is not sufficient and medical advice should be sought.
If symptoms worsen, or persist for more than 2 weeks a doctor or a qualified health care practitioner should be consulted.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
None reported.
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
In the absence of sufficient data, the use during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended.
No studies on the effects on fertility have been performed.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
No studies on the effect on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed.
4.8. Undesirable effects
Contact sensitivity to menthol and peppermint oil in patients presenting with intra-oral symptoms in association with burning mouth syndrome, recurrent oral ulceration or a lichenoid reaction have been reported. The frequency is not known.
Allergic reactions to menthol have been reported, with headache, bradycardia, muscle tremor, ataxia, anaphylactic shock and erythematous skin rash. The frequency is not known.
If these or other adverse reactions not mentioned above occur, treatment should be discontinued and a doctor or a qualified healthcare professional consulted.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme website www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
4.9. Overdose
No case of overdose has been reported with this product.
In the event of an overdose, treatment should be supportive and symptomatic.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Peppermint Water BP 1973. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.