Theraflu Ingredient Product Labeling: Deceptive Advertising or Savvy Marketing?
November 11th, 2007Earlier tonight, my mother purchased two boxes of Theraflu in preparation for the upcoming flu season. In the store, each of the two boxes appeared to be different formulas of the same brand; one was designated as a “Flu and Sore Throat” remedy, while the other was supposed to be a “Nighttime Severe Cold” formula. The labels even had different background colors:
However, after looking at the labels, we noticed that the active Theraflu ingredients of the two varieties were exactly the same! Even the warnings, indicated uses, dosage directions, everything was the same. The two labels were exact duplicates of each other:
The only actual difference between the two versions was the flavoring. Unfortunately, they did not bother to list the inactive ingredients on either of the labels, so it’s hard to tell if those lemon and apple cinnamon flavors are really “natural” or not.
Meanwhile, if we look back at the front of the two labels, we can see another curious feature. Under the main label headings where it lists the symptoms that these medicines are supposed to relieve, they appear to be somewhat different until we closely inspect the list. In reality, the two labels are listing exactly the same symptoms, but with the words rearranged in a different order!
So if anyone out there is thinking that the “Nighttime Severe Cold” formula (notice that they even added a little moon and stars picture in there for added effect) might help them fall asleep faster, while the presumably non-drowsy “Flu and Sore Throat” version could help them get through the day better than the other kind, it seems that they are sadly mistaken because there is no difference between these two formulas.
All of this raises the question: is this a case of deceptive advertising because these two varieties of Theraflu are being marketed as different products but are substanially the same thing and treat the exact same symptoms? Or should the drug companies be able to market and label their products however they want as long as they disclose the active ingredients? Well folks, to quote the infamous words of Fox News, “we report, you decide”…
UPDATE 1/20/08: It seems that many of you are finding my page through the search results. This is good! In this update, I will answer some of the questions that you have been asking in the search queries. If you have any other questions that are not answered here or in the main article, please feel free to mention these in the comment section below.
Q: What are the TheraFlu active ingredients?
A: Acetaminophen (650 mg), Pheniramine maleate (20 mg), Phenylephrine Hydrochloride (10 mg)
Q: What are the TheraFlu inactive ingredients?
A: Aspartame, Acesulfame K, Citric Acid, D&C Yellow 10, FD&C Red 40, Maltodextrin, Flavoring, Silicon Dioxide, Sodium Citrate, Sucrose, Tribasic Calcium Phosphate
Note that both sets of ingredients apply to the two varieties of TheraFlu shown on this page. If you happen to encounter a different variety, the ingredients may be slightly different, although in this case, both varieties had exactly the same ingredients.
haha. nice marketing. i have both the regular theraflu and nighttime. i bought a mixed combo pack at costco. i thought the nighttime had some additional stuff in it. but i guess it’s just marketing.
Yes, it’s definitely “just marketing”. In fact, there was actually a third variety of TheraFlu that my mother had noticed during the same shopping trip, but I didn’t have a chance to post the picture because we didn’t actually buy it. However, it had the exact same ingredients as the other two but with distinctly different labeling.
This is one of those things that John Stossel or one of the other 20/20 reporters could use for a story on the show. They’ve done these kinds of “buyer beware” and consumer reports types of stories before. It seems like this would be a perfect fit.
The nighttime combo pack is two slightly different formulations.
One reason so many of the drugs will have the same ingredients is because the highly active pseudoephedrine has been pushed back behind pharmacy counters. It was the big difference between the “Cough and Sore Throat” and “Runny Nose and Cold” versions of most meds- not just Thera-flu.
It is funny that the Flu med has an antihistamine but is not labeled as drowsy or nighttime. All antihistamines MAY cause marked drowsiness and it should be shown on the label.
Why brand the same formula behind two labels? 1)People don’t know what they need and don’t need. 2) People don’t read the labels, just look at the cover. If it says it will get rid of the symptoms they have- they’re buying it! Even if it lists extra symptoms (meaning it likely has unneccessary drugs for the person- like fever reducer- when the person only has a cold). Of course, people will overmedicate themselves and take it anyway.
The important question for me is “does it work?” I am going to try it to find out.
@Anonymous:
Wow, you have managed to post one of the best comments that I’ve had so far! And you’re right, the ignorance of the general public (people not knowing what they need, not reading labels, etc.) is a big factor here.
The quasi-ban on pseudoephedrine and the advent of our overmedicated society are significant issues also; in fact, I should probably write separate articles on these.
@Alex:
Yes, that is the important question - whether or not it works may depend on the dosage and your body chemistry, but if it does work at least we’ll know that the company is able to back up its claims.
If it doesn’t work, we can search for alternatives, although it would be even better if we could just find a way to reliably prevent or cure things like colds and flu so that we don’t have to mess around with only treating the symptoms.