Active ingredients in selected cold medicines
Active ingredients in selected cold medicines
Product | Ingredients* (purpose) | Price** |
Aleve Cold and Sinus 10 caplets | Naproxen, 200 mg (pain reliever, fever reducer) Pseudoephedrine, 120 mg (nasal decongestant) | $5.99 |
Alka Seltzer Cold and Cough 12 tablets | Acetaminophen, 325 mg (pain reliever, fever reducer) Chlorpheniramine maleate, 2 mg (antihistamine) Dextromethorphan hydrobromide, 10 mg (cough suppressant) Phenylephrine hydrochloride, 5 mg (nasal decongestant) | $5.49 |
Comtrex Cold and Dough, non-drowsy, maximum strength 20 tablets | Acetaminophen, 325 mg (pain reliever, fever reducer) Dextromethorphan hydrobromide, 10 mg (cough suppressant) Phenylephrine hydrochloride, 5 mg (nasal decongestant) | $5.99 |
Comtrex, day/night, maximum strength 10 tablets | Acetaminophen, 325 mg (pain reliever, fever reducer) Chlorpheniramine maleate, 2 mg (antihistamine — only in the nighttime pills) Dextromethorphan hydrobromide, 10 mg (cough suppressant) Phenylephrine hydrochloride, 5 mg (nasal decongestant) | $5.99 |
Contac Cold and Flu, maximum strength 36 caplets | Acetaminophen, 500 mg (pain reliever, fever reducer) Chlorpheniramine maleate, 2 mg (antihistamine) Phenylephrine hydrochloride, 5 mg (nasal decongestant) | $6.49 |
Dayquil Cold and Flu Multisymptom Relief 12 caplets | Acetaminophen, 325 mg (pain reliever, fever reducer) Dextromethorphan hydrobromide, 10 mg (cough suppressant) Phenylephrine hydrochloride, 5 mg (nasal decongestant) | $5.79 |
Nyquil Cold and Flu Multisymptom 12 caplets | Acetaminophen, 325 mg (pain reliever, fever reducer) Dextromethorphan hydrobromide, 15 mg (cough suppressant) Doxylamine succinate, 6.25 mg (antihistamine) | $5.79 |
Robitussin Cough and Cold 8 ounces (237 ml) | Dextromethorphan hydrobromide, 10 mg (cough suppressant)# Guaifenesin, 100 mg (cough expectorant) Phenylephrine hydrochloride, 5 mg (nasal decongestant) (#per 5 ml) | $8.49 |
Theraflu Nighttime Severe Cold 6 packets | Acetaminophen, 650 mg (pain reliever, fever reducer) Pheniramine maleate, 20 mg (antihistamine) Phenylephrine hydrochloride, 10 mg (nasal decongestant) | $6.59 |
Tylenol Cold Multisymptom Nighttime 24 caplets | Acetaminophen, 325 mg (pain reliever, fever reducer) Chlorpheniramine maleate, 2 mg (antihistamine) Dextromethorphan hydrobromide, 10 mg (cough suppressant) Phenylephrine hydrochloride, 5 mg (nasal decongestant) | $6.49 |
Tylenol Cold Multisymptom Severe 24 caplets | Acetaminophen, 325 mg (pain reliever, fever reducer) Dextromethorphan hydrobromide, 10 mg (cough suppressant) Guaifenesin, 200 mg (cough expectorant) Phenylephrine hydrochloride, 5 mg (nasal decongestant) | $6.99 |
Vicks Formula 44 Cough, Cold and Flu Relief 4 ounces (118 ml) | Acetaminophen, 162.5 mg (pain reliever/fever reducer)# Chlorpheniramine maleate, 1 mg (antihistamine) Dextromethorphan hydrobromide, 7.5 mg (cough suppressant) (#per 5 ml) | $5.99 |
Zicam Multisymptom Cold and Flu, nighttime 6 single-dose spoons | Acetaminophen, 650 mg (pain reliever, fever reducer) Dextromethorphan hydrobromide, 20 mg (cough suppressant) Doxylamine succinate, 12.5 mg (antihistamine) Phenylephrine hydrochloride, 5 mg (nasal decongestant) | $8.99 |
*Unless otherwise indicated, ingredient amounts are per tablet. **Prices recorded at retail CVS store in Boston in January 2008. |
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