What do Coricidin products treat?
Coricidin products are used to treat cough, cold, and flu symptoms in adults and children as young as 12 years old. Coricidin products may be a good choice for people who have high blood pressure because they do not contain a decongestant. Decongestants are often used to help treat a stuffy nose, but they can increase your heart rate and blood pressure.
Coricidin products contain a mix of ingredients that can help treat several cold and flu symptoms at once.
- Pain reliever and fever reducer (acetaminophen). Seems to work to reduce pain by blocking pain signals. It is thought to help reduce fever by working in the part of your brain that controls body temperature.
- Antihistamine(chlorpheniramine or doxylamine). Blocks the effect of a substance in your body called histamine to help with runny nose and sneezing.
- Cough suppressant(dextromethorphan). Reduces the urge to cough by slowing the activity in certain areas of the brain.
- Expectorant(guaifenesin). Decreases chest congestion by thinning and loosening mucus, making coughs more productive.
What are the possible side effects of Coricidin products?
Coricidin products are generally well tolerated. Side effects may vary depending on the ingredients in the specific product you are using.
Certain Coricidin products contain ingredients (such as chlorpheniramine or doxylamine) that can make you drowsy or sleepy, such as the nighttime products. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery while taking these products. Also avoid alcohol and medicines that can make you sleepy, such as sedatives or tranquilizers, when taking these Coricidin products. Children taking products with these ingredients may have the opposite effect and have excitability. Do not use Coricidin products to make your child sleepy.
If you are taking a Coricidin product with acetaminophen, do not take any other medicine that has acetaminophen in it. Taking too much acetaminophen can be harmful and can increase your risk of liver problems. Many other over-the-counter and prescription medicines contain acetaminophen. Ask your pharmacist if you are not sure if a medicine contains acetaminophen. Do not take more than the recommended amount of acetaminophen mentioned on the label. It is also best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink while taking a Coricidin product with acetaminophen.
Stop taking 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 Coricidin products?
Different Coricidin products contain different ingredients and are used in different ways. Read the label on the specific Coricidin product you are taking to learn more.
The ingredients in Coricidin products are also found in many other over-the-counter and prescription medicines. Do not take any other medicines with the same ingredients as the Coricidin product you are taking.
If you have certain health conditions or take certain medicines, you may have to check with your health care provider before taking a Coricidin product. Some examples include the following.
- Liver disease
- Glaucoma
- Have trouble peeing due to an enlarged prostate
- Cough with too much mucus
- A long-term cough, or a cough that won’t go away, such as a cough that can happen with smoking, asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema
- Are taking a blood thinner called warfarin
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
Stop taking a Coricidin product and talk to your health care provider if you have any of the following.
- A sore throat that is severe, lasts more than two days, or happens with a fever, headache, rash, nausea, or vomiting
- Symptoms get worse or last for more than seven days
- Fever gets worse or lasts for more than three days
- Redness or swelling
- New symptoms
- A cough that comes back or happens with a rash or headache
You should not take any Coricidin product that contains dextromethorphan if you take or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past two weeks. An MAOI is a medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease. Before taking a Coricidin product that has dextromethorphan in it, you should ask your health care provider if you take or have taken an MAOI.
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 Coricidin 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 Coricidin product is right for my symptoms?
Coricidin products are used to treat a variety of symptoms caused by the cold or flu. Products are available as tablets, liquid gels, or liquids.
If you are taking a liquid product, use the dosing cup that comes with the medicine. Do not use a household spoon, as this may cause you to take the incorrect amount of medicine.
Coricidin products are also available in Maximum Strength options, depending on how severe your symptoms are. Maximum Strength products generally have higher doses of medicine in them than the Regular Strength products.
Use the tables below to find the dosage form you prefer and the symptoms you are trying to target.
Cold & flu symptoms
| Products | Active Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Coricidin HBP Cold and Flu Tablets | Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine |
| Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Multi-Symptom Flu Tablets | Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan |
| Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Cold & Flu Day Liquid Gels | Acetaminophen, Guaifenesin |
| Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Cold & Flu Night Liquid Gels | Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine |
| Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Cold, Cough & Flu Liquid | Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan |
| Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Night Cold & Flu Liquid | Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine |
| Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Cold, Flu and Chest Congestion Liquid Gels | Acetaminophen, Guaifenesin |
Cough, runny nose, & sneezing
| Products | Active Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Coricidin HBP Cough and Cold Tablets | Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan |
| Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Multi-Symptom Flu Tablets | Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan |
| Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Cold & Flu Night Liquid Gels | Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine |
| Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Night Cold & Flu Liquid | Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine |
| Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Cold, Cough & Flu Liquid | Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan |
Chest congestion & cough
| Product | Active Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Coricidin HBP Chest Congestion and Cough Liquid Gels | Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin |
| Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Cold & Flu Day Liquid Gels | Acetaminophen, Guaifenesin |
| Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Cold, Flu and Chest Congestion Liquid Gels | Acetaminophen, Guaifenesin |