Brand Name   

Expected Ingredient

Actual Ingredient

Anacin

Aspirin (pain reliever)

Anacin Aspirin-free contains acetaminophen, not aspirin. Anaicn Advanced Headache Formula contains acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine.

Bayer aspirin

Aspirin (pain reliever)

Bayer Extra Strength Back and Body Pain contains aspirin plus caffeine. Bayer Heart Health Advantage contains NO aspirin at all.

Comtrex

Chlorpheniramine (an antihistamine)

Comtrex Maximum Strength Non-drowsy Cold and Cough and Non-drowsy Deep Chest Cold do NOT contain an antihistamine.

Dramamine

Dimenhydrinate (used for nausea)

Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula contains meclizine instead of dimenhydrinate.

Excedrin

Acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine (for pain relief)

Excedrin Back and Body Extra Strength has only acetaminophen and aspirin. Excedrin Tension Headache contains only acetaminophen and caffeine. Excedrin PM contain acetaminophen and diphenhydramine (an antihistamine to make you drowsy and help you sleep)

Robitussin

Guaifenesin (cough suppressant)

Robitussin Cough, Cold and Flu Nighttime contains acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan and phenylephrine. Other Robitussin preparations have varying ingredients depending on the formulation. Check the ingredients on the label.

Sudafed

Pseudoephedrine (decongestant)

Sudafed PE formulations contain phenylephrine, not pseudoephedrine.

Zyrtec

Certirizine (antihistamine)

Zyrtec Itchy Eye Drops contain ketotifen.