What do Advil products for cold, sinus, or flu treat?
Advil products for cold, sinus, and flu help with symptoms associated with allergies, the common cold, or the flu. These products contain a mix of active ingredients to help with these symptoms.
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It helps in reducing aches, pains, and fever by blocking certain substances in your body involved in pain, inflammation, and fever.
Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine. It helps in controlling symptoms like a runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, itchy nose or throat, or sneezing by blocking the effect of a substance in your body called histamine.
Both phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine are decongestants. They help control symptoms like a stuffy nose or sinus pressure by narrowing the blood vessels in your nose and sinuses, making it easier for you to breathe through your nose.
Advil products for cold, sinus, or flu symptoms are available for adults and children as young as 12 years old.
For information about Advil products specifically made for other uses or for children, see the following.
- Advil Products for Children
- Advil Products for Pain, Headache, and Fever
- Advil Products for Sleep
What are the possible side effects of Advil products?
As Advil products for cold, flu, and sinus symptoms contain more than one active ingredient and vary based on the product you have, review the ingredients for your specific product to understand which side effects you might experience.
If you get stomach upset, you can try to take an Advil product with food.
Stop using the medicine if you develop a rash or hives. Get medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing or swelling of the face, lips, or throat.
What should I know before using Advil products?
Check with your health care provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking an Advil product. Ibuprofen may cause problems in a fetus. Problems may also happen during delivery.
An Advil product that contains pseudoephedrine is likely stored behind the pharmacy counter. You may purchase it without a prescription but need to ask for it.
NSAID Risk. If a product has an NSAID like ibuprofen in it, it can increase the risk of stomach bleeding. Talk to a health care provider before taking a product with an NSAID if you have stomach problems, heartburn, high blood pressure, heart disease, liver cirrhosis, kidney problems, or asthma, have had a stroke previously, or take blood thinners, other NSAIDs (including aspirin), or a diuretic (water pill). Also, check with them if you drink three or more alcoholic drinks per day or if you are 60 years or older. Do not take an Advil product with an NSAID in it if any of the following apply to you.
- Past allergic reaction to other pain medicines or fever reducers
- It is right before or after you have heart surgery. NSAIDs (other than aspirin) can increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke or developing heart failure.
Antihistamine Risk. Antihistamines, such as chlorpheniramine, can cause drowsiness. Don’t drive or do things that need you to be alert until you know how it affects you. Do not drink alcohol while taking an Advil product with chlorpheniramine in it as it can increase drowsiness. Talk to your health care provider before taking an Advil product with an antihistamine in it if any of the following apply to you.
- Glaucoma
- Breathing problem (like emphysema or chronic bronchitis)
- Trouble peeing due to an enlarged prostate
- You take any other medicines that have an antihistamine in them
Decongestant Risk. You should not take an Advil product with a decongestant in it, such as phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine, if you take or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past two weeks. An MAOI is a prescription medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease. Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure if you take an MAOI. Talk to your health care provider before taking an Advil product with a decongestant in it if any of the following apply to you.
- Diabetes
- Thyroid problems
- Trouble peeing due to an enlarged prostate
- You take any other medicines that have a decongestant in them
- You take a medicine known as an MAOI or have taken one within the past two weeks
Stop taking the Advil product, and call your doctor right away if you have any of the following.
- Symptoms of stomach bleeding, such as blood in your vomit, black or tarry poop, stomach pain that doesn’t go away, or feeling faint
- Symptoms of a heart problem or a stroke, such as chest pain, trouble breathing, weakness on one side of your body, slurred speech, or swelling in your legs
- Pain that gets worse, lasts more than seven days, or if you have new symptoms like redness or swelling
- You have nervousness, dizziness, or trouble sleeping
- Fever gets worse or lasts longer than three days
- Stuffy nose gets worse or lasts longer than seven days
There may be side effects, additional warnings, and interactions with other medicines that are not listed here. These may vary depending on the combination of ingredients in the specific Advil product you are using. Always check the label before taking any over-the-counter medicine. Do not take more than the recommended dose. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your health conditions and other medicines to help determine which products are safe for you.
Which Advil product is right for you?
Use the table below to help you find the best Advil product to treat cold, sinus, or flu symptoms if you are at least 12 years old.
| Symptoms | Product Options (Active Ingredients and Dosage Form) |
|---|---|
For relief of any of the following symptoms.
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For relief of the above symptoms PLUS any of the following.
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