Cheracol - The Upjohn Company

Cheracol, also known as Guaifenesin, is an expectorant that loosens phlegm and increases the lubrication of the lungs allowing you to cough and remove the chest congestion. It is not unusual to see it paired with Codeine, a narcotic, which is the case with this preparation. While the Cheracol makes you expel the mucus, the Codeine acts as a pain reliever and keeps you from coughing excessively. It is commonly used to treat cough and nasal congestion associated with the common cold, allergies and infections.

This label measures 2.6” Wide x 1.3” High and dates to the 1910s- 1920s. It shows the trademark as belonging to The Upjohn Company, but there is a space for “Repackaged By:” and “Net Contents”. This indicates that the label came with a bulk purchase of the Cheracol and the pharmacy could add their own name and use the label for various sized containers.

The Upjohn Company was a pharmaceutical manufacturing firm founded in 1886 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It became a large pharmaceutical company and in 1995, Upjohn merged with Pharmacia AB, to form Pharmacia & Upjohn. Later the company merged with the Monsanto Company and finally became part of Pfizer. Kalamazoo county retains major manufacturing capabilities as well as a large stake in Pfizer's animal health business.