Key takeaways:
Theraflu is a brand of over-the-counter (OTC) combination cold and flu products. Some are packets you’ll dissolve in warm water and drink (like a tea), while others are syrups, pills, or nasal sprays.
Theraflu helps lessen cold and flu symptoms. But it doesn’t kill the virus causing your infection or help you get better faster. Common ingredients in Theraflu products include acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine.
Theraflu combination products may be helpful if you have multiple symptoms and prefer to take one product rather than several individual medications. But be sure to check that the symptoms you want to treat match what’s listed on the package.
If you catch a cold or the flu, in most cases you can treat your symptoms at home. There are many over the counter (OTC) cold and flu remedies to choose from. One well-known line of products is Theraflu. But what is Theraflu, and can it help you get better faster?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Theraflu and how you can get the most out of this line of OTC medications.
What is Theraflu?
Theraflu is a brand of OTC combination products that treat cold and flu symptoms. It comes in several forms and typically contains several different OTC medications.
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Theraflu doesn’t kill the virus that’s making you sick or help you get better faster. But it may help ease your cold and flu symptoms while your body fights the infection.
Cold and flu symptoms that Theraflu may help with include:
Headache and body aches
Fever
Runny or stuffy nose
Cough
Sneezing
Sore throat
Chest congestion
Often, the thing people like most about Theraflu is that most of the products come as a powder that you mix into hot water. You can then drink the mixture like a cup of hot tea. Drinking hot liquids may help lessen some of your cold and flu symptoms, although not as well as medications can. So Theraflu in a hot drink provides the best of both worlds.
Good to know: Theraflu doesn’t help you get better faster if you have the flu. But there are prescription medications that fight the flu virus itself. Talk to your prescriber about your options as soon as you’ve been exposed to the flu or develop symptoms.
What are the ingredients in Theraflu?
As mentioned above, Theraflu is a brand of several different combination products. This means that it contains more than one medication. Each medication is included to treat a specific symptom caused by colds and the flu.
The medications in Theraflu can be purchased individually. But combination products can lower the number of medications you need to take at one time, especially if you have multiple symptoms.
Every Theraflu product (other than the nasal spray) contains two to four of the active ingredients listed in the table below.
Medication | What is it? | What does it treat? |
|---|---|---|
Pain reliever / fever reducer | Headache, body aches, fever | |
Cough | ||
Cough, chest congestion | ||
Runny nose, helps you sleep | ||
Antihistamine | Runny nose, helps you sleep | |
Decongestant | Stuffy nose | |
Decongestant | Stuffy nose | |
Decongestant (nasal spray) | Stuffy nose |
*Theraflu products that contain pseudoephedrine are kept behind the pharmacy counter. But you can purchase them without a prescription as long as you have a valid ID.
Good to know: A 2023 FDA review found that oral phenylephrine does not work well for congestion. Products containing oral pseudoephedrine or nasal phenylephrine are more likely to help relieve a stuffy nose.
Does Theraflu work?
Yes, the medications in Theraflu can help relieve common cold and flu symptoms. But as mentioned, they won’t make your cold or flu go away faster.
Theraflu contains a combination of OTC medications that have been used for years to treat cold and flu symptoms. The effectiveness of each ingredient varies, but many people find cold medications like Theraflu helpful. Be sure to check out our other article on OTC flu medications for more details on how well the individual ingredients work.
Keep in mind that you may not need all of the medications in a Theraflu product. It’s best to match your symptoms to the ingredients listed on the OTC label to make sure the product is a good fit for your needs.
Do combination cold and flu medications work better?
You can find the medications in Theraflu sold on their own in most cases. They work the same whether you take them individually or in combination products. But there are a few things to consider when deciding how you want to treat your cold or flu symptoms.
Advantages of combination products like Theraflu include:
You’re able to treat multiple symptoms with one product. It’s often simpler to take just one medication that covers all of your symptoms than to find individual products for each of them.
It’s easier to keep track of. It can be difficult to keep track of timing for several medications throughout the day, especially when you don’t feel well. Some medications are given every 4 to 6 hours. Others are given 8 or 12 hours apart. Combination products can make it easier to track your doses.
It may be more cost effective. Since you’re purchasing one product instead of two or more, combination products may be a more affordable option.
There are also several advantages to taking each medication separately:
You only take the medication you need. Combination products may contain ingredients for symptoms you don’t have. So taking them means you’re putting medication into your body that you don’t need. This can increase the chance of unwanted side effects.
You can adjust the amount you take. Taking medications individually allows you to take a lower or higher dose depending on how severe your symptoms are. Combination products don’t allow you to change the dose of individual ingredients.
You can control when you take it. For example, if a combination product contains an antihistamine that makes you sleepy, you may not want to take it during the day. But with individual products, you can take the antihistamine only in the evening, when it won’t interfere with your day.
At the end of the day, choosing Theraflu or another combination product over individual medications comes down to personal preference.
Types of Theraflu products
All Theraflu products contain two to four of the OTC medications listed in the earlier table. The combination of medications and dosage forms vary between products. But many Theraflu products treat the same symptoms, despite having slightly different names.
Theraflu has several products currently on the market, as listed in the table below.
| Theraflu product name | Medications included | Dosage form |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime Theraflu-D Flu Relief Max Strength + Nasal Decongestant |
|
Flavored syrup |
| Nighttime Theraflu-D Flu Relief Max Strength + Nasal Decongestant |
|
Flavored syrup |
| Daytime Severe Cold Relief |
|
Powder packets |
| Daytime Severe Cold Relief + Chest Congestion |
|
Flavored syrup |
| Nighttime Severe Cold Relief |
|
|
| Daytime Flu Relief Max Strength |
|
|
| Nighttime Flu Relief Max Strength |
|
|
| Severe Congestion Relief Nasal Mist | Oxymetazoline | Nasal spray |
| Severe Congestion Relief Nasal Mist + Cooling | Oxymetazoline | Nasal spray |
Keep in mind that older forms of Theraflu may still be available for purchase. And future formulations may change. Be sure to check the product label to see what ingredients are included in any Theraflu products not listed here.
Which Theraflu product is right for me?
The right Theraflu product is the one that matches your symptoms best. Read the package label carefully. Check that the symptoms you want to treat are listed. Also make sure there aren’t extra medications for symptoms you don’t have. It’s also good to note that any product with “nighttime” in its name will likely make you sleepy.
Theraflu products come in several forms:
A powder designed to be dissolved in hot water
A ready-to-use syrup
Soft chews
Caplets
Nasal spray
As long as the ingredients match your symptoms, choose the dosage form you prefer. Products with the same ingredients will work the same way. As mentioned above, many people choose Theraflu powders because they like the soothing feeling of a warm beverage. It’s also possible that the warm liquid version may start working a bit faster than the caplets.
If you’re unsure about which form of Theraflu to take, speak with a pharmacist or another healthcare professional. They can help you select the best product for your symptoms.
How to take Theraflu powders
Here are the steps for mixing Theraflu powders:
Dissolve 1 packet into 8 oz of hot water.
Sip while hot, and consume the entire drink within 10 to 15 minutes.
If using a microwave, mix the powder into cold water and stir well before and after heating. Do not overheat.
Repeat as directed according to the package label.
Who shouldn’t take Theraflu?
Check with your healthcare team before taking Theraflu or any other OTC cold and flu medication. They can check for any drug interactions with your current medications. They can also make sure it’s a safe product for you based on your medical history.
Theraflu products may not be the best option if you're living with any of the following conditions:
Pregnant or nursing
Liver problems
Trouble urinating due to prostate problems
Theraflu is only intended for adults and adolescents ages 12 and older. Don’t take Theraflu with other OTC medications that have the same or similar ingredients. Some ingredients, such as acetaminophen, are harmful if you take more than recommended.
Stop taking Theraflu and see a healthcare professional if your cold or flu symptoms worsen or don’t get better within a few days.
What are the side effects of Theraflu?
Theraflu side effects vary depending on what ingredients are in the product you’re taking. The main side effects of the medications in Theraflu products include:
Acetaminophen: Liver problems (especially if you take more than recommended)
Dextromethorphan: Nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness
Diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine: Dizziness, drowsiness, and dry mouth
Pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine: Insomnia, anxiety, and increased blood pressure
Talk to your pharmacist about other side effects you may experience from the specific Theraflu product you’re taking.
Are there any drug interactions with Theraflu?
Yes, some medications interact with the ingredients in Theraflu. Common examples include:
Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), a commonly prescribed blood thinner.
A class of medications called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). These treat depression and Parkinson’s disease.
Other medications may also interact with Theraflu products. Your pharmacist can check your medication list to make sure Theraflu products are safe for you.
Frequently asked questions
You shouldn’t take Theraflu products that contain acetaminophen and Tylenol at the same time. Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in Tylenol. Taking too much acetaminophen at once increases your risk of side effects, such as liver problems.
Theraflu and NyQuil are both brand names for a variety of combination cold and flu medications. But the exact ingredients they contain can vary by product. In general, NyQuil products are for nighttime symptom relief and typically contain a sedating antihistamine. Theraflu comes in several daytime and nighttime formulas, often as a powder you dissolve in hot water.
It depends. Some Theraflu ingredients, such as acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and chlorpheniramine, are considered safe to take during pregnancy. But decongestants aren’t recommended while you’re pregnant. It’s always best to check with a pharmacist or your prenatal care team before taking any OTC medications while you’re pregnant. They can also suggest medication-free treatment options that won’t put you or your baby at risk.
You shouldn’t take Theraflu products that contain acetaminophen and Tylenol at the same time. Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in Tylenol. Taking too much acetaminophen at once increases your risk of side effects, such as liver problems.
Theraflu and NyQuil are both brand names for a variety of combination cold and flu medications. But the exact ingredients they contain can vary by product. In general, NyQuil products are for nighttime symptom relief and typically contain a sedating antihistamine. Theraflu comes in several daytime and nighttime formulas, often as a powder you dissolve in hot water.
It depends. Some Theraflu ingredients, such as acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and chlorpheniramine, are considered safe to take during pregnancy. But decongestants aren’t recommended while you’re pregnant. It’s always best to check with a pharmacist or your prenatal care team before taking any OTC medications while you’re pregnant. They can also suggest medication-free treatment options that won’t put you or your baby at risk.
The bottom line
Theraflu is a line of combination cold and flu products. They treat multiple cold and flu symptoms, but won’t help you get better faster. Common active ingredients in Theraflu products include acetaminophen (a pain reliever), dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant), and diphenhydramine (an antihistamine). Theraflu-D products that contain pseudoephedrine (a decongestant) are kept behind the pharmacy counter. Several Theraflu products come as a powder you can mix into hot water and drink for a soothing effect.
It’s best to carefully read the package to make sure you’re only taking medications you need. Speak with your healthcare team to see if Theraflu is a good choice for you. They can also make sure there aren’t any interactions between Theraflu and your current medications.
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References
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