What is Theraflu? What to Know About This Over-the-Counter Cold and Flu Medicine
Key takeaways:
Theraflu is a brand of combination cold and flu products. Theraflu products contain several over-the-counter (OTC) medications to treat different symptoms. Some are packets you’ll dissolve in warm water and drink (like a tea), while others are pills you swallow.
Theraflu helps lessen cold and flu symptoms. But it doesn’t kill the virus causing your infection or help you get better faster.
Combination products, such as Theraflu, may be helpful if you have multiple symptoms and prefer to take one product rather than several individual medications. Be sure to check that the symptoms you want to treat match what’s listed on the package.
Table of contents
Every cold and flu season, the average adult in the U.S. catches at least one cold. And up to 41 million people become sick with the flu. The best protection against getting sick is by getting your flu shot every year and practicing good health habits. Good health habits include routine hand washing, staying home or wearing a mask when you’re sick, and covering your coughs and sneezes.
If you do catch a cold or the flu, the good news is that many cases are mild and can be treated at home. There are many cold and flu remedies you can buy without a prescription at your local pharmacy. One well-known line of products is Theraflu.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Theraflu and how you can get the most out of this over-the-counter (OTC) medication.
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What is Theraflu?
Theraflu is a brand of OTC combination products. It comes in several forms, and typically contains several different OTC medications. Theraflu doesn’t kill the virus that’s making you sick or help you get better faster. But it may help you feel better by easing cold and flu symptoms while your body fights the infection.
Cold and/or flu symptoms 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 do fight the flu virus. For more information, check out this GoodRx article on flu medications.
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.
Every Theraflu product contains two to four of the following active ingredients:
Medication | What is it? | What does it treat? |
|---|---|---|
Pain reliever / fever reducer | Pain, headache, body aches, fever | |
Cough | ||
Runny nose, helps you sleep | ||
Antihistamine | Runny nose, helps you sleep | |
Stuffy nose | ||
Decongestant | Stuffy nose |
Good to know: As of Fall 2023, oral phenylephrine has been found ineffective for congestion. Products containing pseudoephedrine may be a better choice for a stuffy nose. But they’re kept behind the pharmacy counter and have limits on how much and how often you can purchase them.
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 frequently purchased OTC medications which 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.
Cold vs. flu: Learn the differences between a cold and the flu to help you choose the best treatment options.
Flu treatments: Here are the best over-the-counter and prescription options for treating the flu.
Finding the right cold medication: Here’s how to find the right OTC product based on your cold or flu symptoms.
Do combination cold and flu medications work better?
Combination products don’t work better than stand-alone products, but they’re a convenient (and potentially cost-saving) option. 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 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 know when it’s time for your next dose.
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 amount of individual medications.
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 only take the antihistamine 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 your 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 doses varies between products. But many Theraflu products treat the same symptoms despite having different names.
Theraflu has several products currently on the market:
Theraflu product name | Medications included | Dosage form |
|---|---|---|
Daytime Theraflu-D Flu Relief Max Strength + Nasal Decongestant | Acetaminophen | Flavored syrup |
Nighttime Theraflu-D Flu Relief Max Strength + Nasal Decongestant | Acetaminophen Chlorpheniramine Dextromethorphan Pseudoephedrine | Flavored syrup |
Acetaminophen | Soft chews | |
Acetaminophen | Soft chews | |
Severe Cold Relief (Daytime formula) | Acetaminophen | Powder packets |
Severe Cold Relief (Nighttime formula) | Acetaminophen | Powder packets Flavored syrup |
Acetaminophen | Powder packets | |
Acetaminophen | Powder packets Caplets |
Keep in mind that older forms of Theraflu may still be available for purchase. And future formulations may change, especially now that oral phenylephrine has been found ineffective for congestion. Be sure to check the product label to see what ingredients are included in any Theraflu products not listed here.
Which product is right for me?
The right 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
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 because they like the warm beverage the powder packets make. It’s also possible that the warm liquid version may start working a bit faster than the caplets or chews.
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.
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 medication for you based on your medical history.
Theraflu may not be the best option if you're living with any of the following conditions:
Pregnant or nursing
Liver problems
Heart disease or high blood pressure
Glaucoma
Trouble urinating due to prostate problems
Asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Thyroid problems
Diabetes
Theraflu is only for adults and children age 12 years and older. Don’t take Theraflu with other OTC medications that have the same or similar ingredients. Some ingredients, such as acetaminophen, are harmful when taken in large doses. Stop taking Theraflu and check with your healthcare team if your cold or flu symptoms are severe or don’t get better in 7 to 10 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
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 Theraflu. You should always ask your pharmacist to double check for interactions before starting any OTC medications. They can let you know if they’re safe for you to take.
The following medications may interact with Theraflu:
Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven). This is a commonly prescribed blood thinner.
A class of medications called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). These treat depression and Parkinson’s disease.
Other medications may interact with Theraflu products. Your pharmacist can check your medication list to make sure Theraflu is safe for you.
Frequently asked questions
No. You shouldn’t take Theraflu and Tylenol at the same time. Theraflu products already contain acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol. Taking too much Tylenol at once increases your risk of side effects, such as liver problems.
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 OB/GYN before taking any over the counter medication 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 products that treats multiple cold or flu symptoms. Common active ingredients in Theraflu products include acetaminophen (a pain reliever), dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant), and diphenhydramine (an antihistamine). 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.
Why trust our experts?
References
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