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.
Helpful Resources:
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.
look at the inactive ingredients, a list of exactly what our bodies don’t need esp when sick. Take a tylenol (acetominophen) for body aches and eat fresh foods and plenty of water/tea, rest. Not complicated folks.
i have seen this before if you look at the active ingredients in Panadol Womens and Panadol Ultra it is the same, but the price of the Womens panadol is more. Can someone tell me why? These manufacturers are doing anything to make a profit, i personally have stopped purchasing Panadol products and i am going to stop using theraflu as well
all the nightime remedies used tyo have some alcohol in it that would make you drowsy. they stopped that but the products are still sold “refolmulated”
Although I completely agree that consumers best serve themselves by paying attention to the label of the products they buy, one thing you are neglecting is the placebo effect, which is why the best medical studies are placebo controlled! If someone takes the night time Theraflu because they BELIEVE it will make them sleepy or is more efficacious it likely will make them feel sleepy or better than if they took the day time Theraflu at night and if these products are the same price than I fail to see any malicious intent by the manufacturer, especially since they don’t claim to have different effects. In all I think this is a bad example of “deceptive” advertising, but still agree that people should educate themselves about the products they buy!
These type of combination products are not recommended by Consumer Reports. You should only take meds that are targeted to specific symptoms. There are no magic elixirs.
Both of these products have an antihistamine which is for allergies and won’t help a cold or flu so why take it?
Furthermore, the decongestant Phenylephrine hydrochloride is a less effective decongestant than pseudoephedrine the old Pseudo fed That you can still get by going to the pharmacy counter and asking for the generic version which is very inexpensive.
Lastly, acetaminophen is an inexpensive pain reliever you can buy separately. Be aware that acetaminophen can be very hard on your liver. Aspirin or ibuprofen might be a better choice.
Save yourself a lot of money and take a generic pseudoephedrine and aspirin. Probably less than 20 cents a dose and more effective. Great hangover cure also.
There is one difference. On the side of the box, it has other ingredients not listed on the back. The Flu and Sore Throat has 41mg of sodium, while the Nighttime Severe Cold has 51 mg sodium and 10 mg of potassium. Are these just for shelf life or is there more to it?