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Robitussin Frequently Asked Questions

Use Robitussin products with confidence by exploring detailed information on our cough and cold products, all while gaining insight into the distinctions between the flu and COVID-19.

Got a question you can’t find an answer to here or within our Cough and Cold Center? Feel free to get in touch and we’ll respond as soon as possible.

Robitussin Product FAQs

The Product Finder can help you find the best Robitussin cough and cold products to meet your needs. But if you have questions about those products, you’ve come to the right place.

  • Why is the expiration date for cough and cold medicine important?

    Medicine is given an expiration date to assure a certain quality of product. It’s important always to read the expiration date on your Robitussin carton and on the bottle label. It’s not recommended to use medicine beyond its expiration date.

  • To find the right relief for your symptoms, try our Robitussin Product Finder. Always be sure to read and follow the directions on the product’s label and consult your doctor with any questions.

  • As with any medicine, if you are pregnant or nursing a baby, seek the advice of a healthcare professional before using Robitussin products.

  • You should speak with your doctor or healthcare provider to answer any specific concerns with your condition.

  • Robitussin wants to help you protect your teenagers and young adults from the dangers of over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medicine abuse. Learn more about potential medicine abuse.

  • All Robitussin products contain child-resistant packaging. However, it’s important to keep all medications out of sight and reach of children at all times. Medicines are the leading cause of child poisoning, with nearly 52,000 children under the age of six going to the emergency room for ingesting medicine they shouldn’t have.1

    Here are a few simple steps that can help keep your children safe:1

    1. Make sure you store medicine in a locked cabinet out of the sight and reach of your children.
    2. Keep medicine in its original, child-resistant packaging.
    3. Consider where kids can gain access to medicine, like a purse or nightstand. Never leave your medicine sitting out, in sight or within reach.
    4. Get rid of your old medicine in a way that your child cannot reach it.
    5. Teach your children that Robitussin is medicine– not candy.
    6. Keep the Poison Control phone number handy: 1-800-222-1222. In case of accidental medicine poisoning, specialists are available 24 hours a day to help with emergencies.

  • While the average adult only gets 2-4 colds a year, younger children can get as many as 8 to 12 colds in a year.2 This frequency lessens as children age and their immune systems become more robust. That’s because children haven’t yet built up the immunity to viruses that adults have; their immune systems are immature and still developing.2 Children are also exposed to a greater variety of illnesses at school, daycare and other social gatherings with other children.2

  • You can use your HSA and FSA tax-preferred savings account to purchase certain OTC products including Robitussin. The passage of the CARES Act by Congress includes provisions to restore OTC eligibility under tax-preferred HSA and FSA accounts. Your plan details may vary, so save your receipt and check with your benefits or health provider for eligibility.

    Source: https://www.chpa.org/Monograph_FSA_CARES.aspx

Covid FAQ's

The symptoms of COVID-19 and those of the cold or flu may have some degree of overlap, which may lead to some confusion about how to manage and treat symptoms.4 Get the answers about Robitussin and COVID-19 here. †

  • Can Robitussin products be used to treat symptoms of COVID-19?

    Currently there are no over the counter medicines specifically indicated or approved for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. Where appropriate, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) do advise appropriate use of over-the-counter medicines to alleviate mild symptoms of COVID-19. These may include cough, fever, headache, runny nose, congestion and sore throat pain.

    While Robitussin products are indicated for relief of the aforementioned symptoms, Robitussin products are not specifically indicated for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. COVID-19 is caused by a specific coronavirus, belonging to a group of viruses which can also result in less serious cold and flu-like illnesses. Because of this, some of the milder symptoms may be common to both COVID-19 and cold or flu and may be similarly relieved by over-the-counter cold and flu remedies such as Robitussin

    Robitussin products should always be used only as directed. If you have questions or concerns about your symptoms or COVID-19, please discuss with your healthcare professional. You can also visit the CDC website for helpful information.

  • What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

    People with COVID-19 report a wide range of symptoms, from mild symptoms to severe illness.4 These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. These symptoms include, but are not limited to cough, fever, headache, runny nose, congestion and sore throat pain.4 Many of these symptoms may be reported by people with COVID-19. Not all people exposed to the virus will show or feel symptoms.

    The CDC advises self-care for COVID-19 sufferers with milder symptoms, this includes getting rest, staying hydrated and taking over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to feel better. If you have further questions about your symptoms or COVID-19, please discuss with your healthcare professional. You can also visit the CDC website for more helpful information about COVID-19 symptoms.

  • How does COVID-19 and the Flu differ?

    The flu and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses.4 Flu is caused by being infected with influenza viruses, while COVID-19 is caused by being infected with a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2.4 Some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are very similar i.e. fever, fatigue, cough, body aches making it hard to tell the difference based on symptom presentation alone.4 Testing may be required to make a diagnosis.

    Although flu and COVID-19 share many characteristics, they also have some key differences.5 More severe symptoms such as very high fever, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, vomiting and diarrhea are not classic symptoms of flu, but may be associated with COVID-19.5 COVID-19 can be particularly severe in people with pre-existing illness or risk factors. While more is learned every day, there is still a lot that is unknown about COVID-19 and the virus that causes it. The differences in symptoms listed above is not an exhaustive list of all possible symptoms that may occur. If you have further questions or concerns about your symptoms or COVID-19, please discuss with your healthcare professional. You can also visit the CDC website for more helpful information about the difference between COVID-19 and the flu.

  • How to protect yourself and others?

    COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets, typically when an infected individual coughs, talks or sneezes. The best way to protect yourself and others is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Important to note that asymptomatic people can also spread the virus. The CDC recommends key precautions to stop the spread:6,7

    • get the COVID-19 Vaccine and booster as applicable
    • frequent hand washing with soap and water
    • using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol when soap and water is not available
    • avoiding close contact with people who are sick
    • give a 6 feet distance whenever possible, especially with people living outside of your household
    • covering your mouth and nose with a mask when around others
    • covering coughs and sneezes
    • avoid touching eyes, mouth and nose with unwashed hands
    • cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces daily

    The CDC also recommends getting a flu vaccine to reduce the risk of flu illness and subsequent complications.5 It can also help save healthcare resources for the care of COVID-19 patients.

    Closely monitor your health. If you have further questions about how to prevent getting sick, please discuss with your healthcare professional. You can also visit the CDC website on COVID-19 prevention for more helpful information.

  • How do COVID-19 and the common cold differ?

    The common cold and COVID-19 are both respiratory viral infections. The common cold is the broad term used for a respiratory viral infection resulting in a self-limiting illness with generally mild symptoms. The predominant cause of the common cold is the rhinovirus, but some coronaviruses can also cause the common cold.8 COVID-19 is caused by being infected with a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Some symptoms occur in both the common cold and COVID-19 (such as cough, fever, runny nose or congestion), but there are key differences.4,8 More severe symptoms such as very high fever, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, vomiting and diarrhea are not classic symptoms of the common cold, but may be associated with COVID-19.4 COVID-19 can be particularly severe in people with pre-existing illness or risk factors.4 If you have further questions about your symptoms or COVID-19, please discuss with your healthcare professional. You can also visit the CDC website for more helpful information about the common cold.

  • Are masks effective and should my child wear one?

    Wearing a mask in public settings can prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people.  The mask serves as a simple barrier to source control respiratory droplets when the person wearing it coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice. COVID-19 spreads mainly among people in close contact with one another. You may choose to have your child wear a mask when visiting a doctor’s office or visiting immunocompromised people like grandparents. Ultimately the choice is yours, just make sure that your child’s mask is worn correctly so that it provides good protection while being comfortable.6

    For more information on mask effectiveness and other tips on prevention, visit the CDC’s website.

  • What should I do if I travel during the COVID-19 pandemic?

    The best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 is to stay at home and minimize your exposure to public settings. If you do travel, the CDC advises appropriate steps to protect yourself and others:9

    • Consider wearing a mask when around large groups of people, or on public transportation
    • Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters before you travel
    • Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol)
    • Avoid contact with anyone who is sick

    Do not travel if you are sick or have been around someone who has been sick in the past 14 days. Some state, local, and territorial governments may have testing, stay-at-home, or quarantine requirements for those who have recently traveled. If you’re planning to travel internationally, check the requirements of the country you plan to visit and plan to comply with their requests. Visit the CDC website for more information and tips for traveling.

  • How can I stay safe during gatherings?

    If you’re hosting or attending a gathering, take appropriate measures to best protect yourself and others:6

    • Do not host or attend a social gathering if you are sick or have had close contact with someone who is sick.
    • Remind guests to stay home if they are sick
    • Keep events outdoor when possible. If outdoors is not feasible, make sure the space is well ventilated.

    For additional measures or information on staying safe in social gatherings, visit the CDC’s website. 

  • How does the COVID-19 virus spread?

    COVID-19 spreads when an infected person breathes near an uninfected person.10 Each exhalation from someone with COVID-19 contains tiny droplets and particles that contain the virus and can be breathed in by others or can land on another’s eyes, nose or mouth. In other circumstances, these droplets may land on surfaces, which are then touched by a person who then touches their own face.10

    For more information about the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website.

  • Can food and drink spread COVID-19?

    The CDC indicates that there is no evidence to suggest that handling or consuming food can spread COVID-19.10 Similarly, there is also no evidence that people can contract COVID-19 by drinking water.10 When preparing food at home, make sure to follow food safety guidelines when handing and cleaning fresh produce, and never use soap, alcohol, disinfectant, or any other cleaning chemical on what you’re going to eat.10

    There is no evidence that food is associated with the virus that causes COVID-19.  This includes packaged food, food cooked at home, and food served at restaurants.

Source Citations:

  1. Medication Safety. Safe Kids Worldwide. https://www.safekids.org/medicinesafety. Accessed 11/30/23.
  2. Why is my child always sick? Children’s Hospital of Orange County. https://health.choc.org/why-is-my-child-always-sick-a-pediatrician-answers-your-questions/. Accessed 11/30/23.
  3. FDA 101: Dietary Supplements. US Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/fda-101-dietary-supplements. Accessed 11/30/23.
  4. Symptoms of COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms- testing/symptoms.html. Accessed 11/30/23.
  5. Similarities and Differences between Flu and COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm. Accessed 11/30/23.
  6. How to Protect Yourself and Others. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html. Accessed 11/30/23.
  7. Coughing and Sneezing. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/personal-hygiene/coughing-sneezing.html. Accessed 11/30/23.
  8. Rhinoviruses. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/rhinoviruses-common-cold.html. Accessed 11/30/23.
  9. Travelers’ Health: COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/covid19. Accessed 11/30/23.
  10. How COVID-19 Spreads. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html. Accessed 11/30/23.