Best Cough Medicine for Fast Relief

If you need gentle, non-drowsy relief against a cough and other classic cold symptoms, such as headaches, fever, sneezing, body aches, and a runny/stuffy nose, this medicine is perfect for you.

How does it work? This cold medicine comes in the form of softgels that include 325mg of Acetaminophen, 10mg of Dextromethorphan, and 5mg of Phenylephrine. The Acetaminophen (a pain reliever, found in common OTC medicines) will raise your body’s pain threshold to help you cope with a sore throat and any other body aches. Meanwhile, the Dextromethorphan acts as a cough suppressant by interacting with the part of your brain that triggers your cough reflex. Finally, the Phenylephrine works its magic by alleviating other symptoms.

What should I know about it? As with all other medicine that include Acetaminophen, you need to monitor your intake of this drug, as the daily recommended intake of Acetaminophen is 4000mg. If you go beyond that dose, you might end up damaging your liver. For that same reason, avoid taking this medicine with alcohol. Furthermore, don’t take this medicine if you’re currently taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).

Compares to: The active ingredients in Vicks® DayQuil®.

Best for: This medicine is perfect for individuals who lead an active lifestyle and want a non-drowsy solution against a cough and other symptoms of flu.

The Daytime Severe Cold & Flu, as the name suggests, is a maximum-strength version of our Daytime Cold & Flu product. It includes the same active ingredients (Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, and Phenylephrine). However, it includes a much heavier dosage of Phenylephrine (400mg instead of 5mg).

How does it work? It works exactly the same way as the normal Daytime Severe Cold & Flu medicine. However, in this particular product, the Phenylephrine packs a significant punch. Because of that, you should probably take this medicine if your other sinus-related symptoms are taking their toll on your day-to-day productivity and quality of life.

What should I know about it? It’s highly recommended that you don’t eat grapefruit (or drink its juice) as long as you’re on this medicine. Grapefruit could affect the metabolism of this medicine, rendering it useless. Apart from that, follow all of the precautions that apply to the standard version of this medicine.

Compares to: The active ingredients in Vicks® DayQuil® Severe Cold & Flu.

Best for: This medicine is perfect for those who need non-drowsy relief against a cough and sore throat, but need something stronger for a runny nose, ear-symptoms, and other sinus problems related to the flu or a cold. 

With this classic cough medicine, you can kill two birds with one stone. Not only does it provide relief against the build-up of mucus/chest congestion, but it also suppresses your cough. The result? You’ll cough less-frequently and will expel more phlegm.

How does it work? The Mucus Relief & Cough Suppressant isn’t a “cough syrup,” but instead comes in the form of softgels. It includes 400mg of Guaifenesin (an expectorant) and 20mg of Dextromethorphan Hbr. The Guaifenesin helps break down the build-up of mucus by drawing water in the bronchi and the trachea, making it less viscous and prone to getting expelled through coughing. Meanwhile, the Dextromethorphan Hbr works by inhibiting the cough reflex. While this might seem counter-productive at first, the goal is to control the frequency of your coughs and to make each cough count.

What should I know about it? Avoid taking this medicine for more than 7 days. If your cough doesn’t subside, seek medical advice from a healthcare provider, since you might have a more serious underlying condition. Furthermore, don't take this medicine if you're currently taking an MAOI. Last but not least, avoid drinking as long as you're on this medicine.

Compares to: The active ingredients in Mucinex® and Equate®.

Best for: Individuals suffering from severe chest congestion and a anon-productive cough. 

The Nighttime Severe Cold & Flu can deliver a strong, overnight relief against flu-like symptoms, including a cough that isn’t getting any better.

How does it work? The medicine includes Acetaminophen (325mg), Dextromethorphan Hbr (10mg), and Doxylamine Succinate (6.25mg) as the active ingredients. The Acetaminophen provides relief against headaches, body pain, and a sore throat, whereas the Dextromethorphan Hbr helps suppress your cough. The Doxylamine Succinate alleviates other symptoms and helps you fall into a gentle slumber (it is an antihistamine – i.e. it works by blocking the activity of histamine, is the substance that your body creates to keep you awake).

What should I know about it? Since this medicine includes an antihistamine as one of the active ingredients, it is strongly recommended that you take it before bedtime. Do NOT take this medicine before engaging in any activity that requires you to stay awake (such as driving, operating heavy machinery, or a super-important test). Additionally, don't take this medicine with alcohol, and if you're currently on other medication that includes Acetaminophen, look for an alternative that doesn't include this drug (to prevent you from exceeding the daily limit of 4000mg).

Compares to: The active ingredients in Vicks® NyQuil® Severe Cold & Flu.

Best for: Individuals who can’t sleep at night because of the flu and need a medicine with a strong kick. 

As with the daytime medications, the nighttime products also have a more gentle version. This product includes the same active ingredients as the Nighttime Severe Cold & Flu (Doxylamine Succinate, Acetaminophen, and Dextromethorphan Hbr), but with a lower dosage.

How does it work? It works the exact same way as the Nighttime Severe Cold & Flu. The Acetaminophen and Dextromethorphan Hbr sort out your cough and aches, whereas the Doxylamine Succinate extinguishes other symptoms and helps you fall asleep.

What should I know about it? The same precautions apply for this medication.

Compares to: The active ingredients in Vicks® NyQuil®.

Best for: If your cold symptoms aren’t that severe, but you still need something for overnight-relief, this medicine is perfect for you. 

This isn’t a “cough medicine,” per se, but it can provide relief against sinus and nasal congestion. This product doesn’t come as a nasal spray, but in the form of tablets, and uses Phenylephrine HCl (10mg) as the active ingredient.

How does it work? Phenylephrine HCl works by contracting the blood vessels and shrinking tissues in your nasal passage, which promotes a normal flow of air.

What should I know about it? While Phenylephrine is certainly safer than Pseudoephedrine (another nasal decongestant with more side-effects), it can raise your blood pressure. Considering that, if you’re already dealing with high blood pressure, avoid taking this medicine. Also, if you’re currently on an MAOI, look for another medicine.

Compares to: The active ingredients in Sudafed PE® Congestion.

Best for: Someone with a stuffy or blocked nose. 

If you’re suffering from a dry cough, with little or no mucus, our classic Cough Relief medicine is what you’re looking for. Like all of our OTC cough medicine, this product comes in the form of softgels.

How does it work? The cough medicine includes 10mg of Dextromethorphan Hbr as the active ingredient. As mentioned above, it doesn’t “directly” treat the underlying cause of cough, but reacts with the part of your brain that’s responsible for the cough reflex.

What should I know about it? This medicine is only suitable for dry cough. If the cough persists for an extended period (and you also get a fever), get yourself tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible, as those are the classic symptoms of the novel coronavirus. 

Compares to: The active ingredients in Robitussin® Long Acting Cough Gels®.

Best for: Individuals who want a solution against dry cough. 

This product aids with alleviating chest congestion. It only includes Guaifenesin (400mg) as the active ingredient, which, as we discussed earlier, is an expectorant that helps break down mucus.

How does it work? Guaifenesin helps break down mucus by making it less viscous and increasing its volume by drawing water.

What should I know about it? For best results, increase the intake of fluids to lubricate your throat and provide Guaifenesin with enough water to alleviate the congestion.

Compares to: The active ingredients in Mucinex®.

Best for: Individuals dealing with chest congestion. 

This Preparedness Kit includes everything you need to make it through flu season without ever having to visit your local pharmacy.

What’s inside the kit?

This kit includes different over-the-counter cold remedies that will help counter your fits of cough and other flu/cold-like symptoms:

1. Acetaminophen 500mg (Compared to Extra Strength Tylenol)

2. Daytime Cold & Flu (Compared to DayQuil) 

3. Nighttime Cold & Flu (Compared to NyQuil)

4. Hand Cleanser

Of course, getting this kit for a little cough would be a bit too much. But a one-time investment can save you unnecessary trips to the drug store.

Best for: People who need to stock their cabinet with cold medication.