While there may not be a known cure for colds, we can at least reduce bothersome symptoms, improve our sense of well-being, and receive some relief.
Cough, cold, and allergy
Adult allergic reaction treatment
(n = 554)
Benadryl.......................... 67%
Zyrtec............................... 6%
Claritin.............................. 2%
Cortizone 10...................... 1%
Walgreens......................... 1%
Nasal decongestant spray (n = 555)
Afrin................................ 43%
Flonase........................... 21%
Vicks Sinex........................ 2%
Sudafed............................. 2%
Ocean............................... 1%
Adult cough suppressant — Topical treatments (n = 590)
Vicks VapoRub................. 32%
Delsym............................ 11%
Robitussin......................... 9%
Chloraseptic...................... 4%
Halls................................. 4%
Sinus rinse (n = 645)
NeilMed........................... 33%
Neti Pot kit....................... 13%
Ocean............................... 8%
Navage.............................. 2%
Ayr................................... 1%
Cough lozenges (n = 509)
Halls............................... 38%
Cepacol........................... 18%
Ricola.............................. 15%
Ludens.............................. 3%
Fisherman’s Friend............. 2%
Liquid cough suppressant (dry cough) (n = 587)
Delsym............................ 43%
Robitussin....................... 24%
Mucinex............................ 6%
Vicks Dayquil Nyquil........... 2%
Cold medication (n = 510)
Vicks Dayquil Nyquil......... 25%
Tylenol............................ 11%
Mucinex............................ 9%
Robitussin......................... 8%
Sudafed............................. 5%
Cough, cold, and flu medication (n = 587)
Vicks Dayquil Nyquil......... 27%
Mucinex.......................... 15%
Robitussin....................... 12%
Tylenol.............................. 8%
Sudafed............................. 5%
Adult seasonal allergy relief (n = 635)
Zyrtec.............................. 34%
Claritin............................ 27%
Allegra............................. 13%
XYZAL............................... 3%
Flonase............................. 3%
Cough medication (n = 598)
Robitussin....................... 30%
Delsym............................ 30%
Vicks Dayquil Nyquil........... 4%
MucinexDM....................... 2%
CVS Health........................ 1%
Flu medication (n = 598)
Theraflu........................... 19%
Vicks Dayquil Nyquil......... 14%
Tylenol............................ 11%
Mucinex............................ 4%
Alka-Seltzer Plus................ 2%
Liquid cough expectorant (n = 561)
Robitussin....................... 37%
Mucinex.......................... 31%
Delsym.............................. 8%
Vicks Dayquil Nyquil........... 1%
Equate............................... 1%
Sore throat lozenges (n = 655)
Cepacol........................... 34%
Halls............................... 21%
Chloraseptic...................... 8%
Ricola............................... 8%
Sucrets............................. 3%
Self-care survey redux
This section of Pharmacy Today’s Self-Care Product Survey is reprinted from the full survey results published in the January 2023 issue of the magazine and available online at pharmacytoday.org.
The current survey was conducted using scientifically valid methodology and determines those nonprescription products most often recommended by pharmacists in the United States to consumers.
The winners were selected based on a survey of 1,682 pharmacists practicing in the United States who gave their unaided write-in opinions on which brands they’d recommend to patients in 86 categories. The highest share of citations as Most Trusted in the category determined the winner. If the margin of citation share between the leading brands did not exceed the estimate of sampling error at 90% statistical confidence, a tie was declared.
The n value given for each category represents the total number of responding pharmacists’ recommendations.
Please also see APhAs Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs, the definitive source of professional information about OTC products. The Handbook is available online at PharmacyLibrary.com or in print in the bookstore at www.pharmacist.com.
These data may not be used without the prior permission of APhA.