SELF-CARE

Suck, chew, or inhale: Lots of cough, cold remedies coming

Manufacturers are unleashing cough and cold remedies with innovative delivery systems, ranging from thin strips to gum balls, to spray mists. Here's a preview of some of the formidable products consumers will find on store shelves to relieve their symptoms of coughs, colds, and sore throats.

Novartis Consumer Health is unfurling its first systemic medicine in a portable thin-strip form that melts on the tongue in an instant. Thin Strips will be used in line extensions of TheraFlu and Triaminic. TheraFlu Thin Strips are for adults and children over 12, and Triaminic Thin Strips are for children ages six to 12. Both products will be individually wrapped in child-resistant packaging with full labeling on each pouch. Triaminic Thin Strips will be available in Long Acting Cough in cherry flavor and Cough & Runny Nose in grape flavor, both suitable for children ages six to 12. The suggested retail price is $5.99 for a 16-strip package. TheraFlu Thin Strips are available in two treatment options: Long Acting Cough and Multi Symptom—both in cherry flavor—can be used by adults and children over age 12. The suggested retail price is $5.99 for a 12-strip pack.

Not to be outdone, The Quigley Corp.'s Cold-Eeze is offering Cold Remedy Spearmint Gum and Cold Remedy Bubble Gum Balls formulated with zinc gluconate glycine. Bubble Gum Balls come in boxes and bags of 18 individually wrapped pieces in three assorted flavors: cherry, mixed fruit, and grape. For those consumers who prefer lozenges, Quigley is unveiling a new flavor: green tea with honey. The suggested retail price for each of the three products is $3.99 to $6.99.

Matrix Initiatives Inc., Phoenix, is playing misty with the introduction of The Zicam Concentrated Cough Mist line. The line consists of six products featuring spray treatments for children and adults. Zicam Concentrated Cough Mist oral cough suppressant spray contains dextromethorphan HBr. Cough Mist D formulas contain a nasal decongestant. Zicam Concentrated Cough Mist Nite provides eight hours of relief for nighttime rest. The products, which are available in honey lemon or cool cherry, are slated to debut in October. The items have a suggested retail price of $7.99.

Boiron USA, makers of oscillococcinum for the relief of flu symptoms, is offering Coldcalm quick-dissolving tablets for the temporary relief of sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and minor sore throat. The company is also making available Chestal Honey homeopathic cough syrup. The product contains no artificial colors or flavors.

Bayer HealthCare Consumer Care Division is waking consumers up with Alka-Seltzer Plus Non-Drowsy Cold, a nondrowsy, effervescent product for daytime relief of nasal congestion, coughing, headache, and sore throat. A 20-count package has a suggested retail price of $4.39 to $5.39. The product contains acetaminophen, phenylephrine HCl, and dextromethorphan hydrobromide and is intended for adults and children age 12 and over. Bayer is also taking the wraps off Alka-Seltzer Plus Non-Drowsy Cold Liqui-Gels for relief of nasal congestion, coughing, headache, and sore throat. A 20-count package has a suggested retail price of $5.59 to $6.89. The cold product contains dextromethorphan, acetaminophen, and pseudoephedrine HCl, and is intended for adults and children 12 years and older.

Procter & Gamble is introducing Vicks BabyRub for infants over three months of age. BabyRub contains eucalyptus oil, rosemary, lavender, and aloe vera. P&G is also unveiling DayQuil Sinus to relieve sinus pain, headache, and nasal and sinus congestion.

During cough and cold season, consumers may want to pay attention to preventing dry, chapped lips with three new Blistex Spa Effects products that have "luxurious aromas." Spa Effects Uplifting balm is intended to nurture and stimulate with a blend of grapefruit, rosemary, and eucalyptus. Spa Effects Renewing balm is designed to rejuvenate with cucumber and sweet melon, and Spa Effects Relaxing balm is formulated to aid relaxation with vanilla and plum.

Spa Effects products are available in packs of three .10-oz. sticks. Each three-pack has a suggested retail price of $3.49.

Sandra Levy

 

Sandra Levy. Suck, chew, or inhale: Lots of cough, cold remedies coming. Drug Topics Aug. 23, 2004;148:49.