Complete Medication Reference List

Organized by category and alphabetized by active ingredient

Safe to Take

11

medications

Cannot Take

8

medications

Safe to Take

ACTIVE INGREDIENT

acetaminophen (Acetaminophen (Paracetamol))

COMMON BRANDS

Tylenol, Tylenol Extra Strength, Tylenol Arthritis, Tylenol Rapid Release, Tylenol Muscle Aches & Body Pain, Tylenol Cold & Flu (acetaminophen component in combos), Panadol, Atasol, Tempra, Abenol, Life Brand Acetaminophen, Equate Acetaminophen

ACTIVE INGREDIENT

aluminum hydroxide / magnesium hydroxide / simethicone (Aluminum / Magnesium Hydroxide + Simethicone)

COMMON BRANDS

Maalox, Mylanta, Life Brand Antacid + Anti-Gas

MEDICATION / ACTIVE INGREDIENT

calcium carbonate

COMMON BRANDS

Tums, Rolaids (some formulations), Life Brand Antacid Tablets

MEDICATION / ACTIVE INGREDIENT

cetirizine

COMMON BRANDS

Reactine, Zyrtec, Life Brand Cetirizine

MEDICATION / ACTIVE INGREDIENT

dextromethorphan

COMMON BRANDS

Benylin DM, Robitussin DM, Delsym, Vicks DayQuil Cough (dextromethorphan component), Life Brand Cough DM

MEDICATION / ACTIVE INGREDIENT

fexofenadine

COMMON BRANDS

Allegra, Allegra Allergy, Life Brand Fexofenadine

MEDICATION / ACTIVE INGREDIENT

guaifenesin

COMMON BRANDS

Mucinex, Robitussin Chest Congestion, Benylin E, Life Brand Expectorant

MEDICATION / ACTIVE INGREDIENT

loratadine

COMMON BRANDS

Claritin, Claritin Allergy, Claritin Children, Reactine Allergy (some markets), Life Brand Loratadine

ACTIVE INGREDIENT

menthol / camphor (Topical Menthol / Camphor Rub)

COMMON BRANDS

Vicks VapoRub, Tiger Balm (some strengths), Life Brand Chest Rub

MEDICATION / ACTIVE INGREDIENT

simethicone

COMMON BRANDS

Gas-X, Ovol, Phazyme, Life Brand Anti-Gas

ACTIVE INGREDIENT

sodium chloride (saline) (Saline Nasal Spray)

COMMON BRANDS

Ocean Nasal Spray, Salinex, Life Brand Saline Nasal Spray

Cannot Take

ACTIVE INGREDIENT

acetylsalicylic acid (Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin))

COMMON BRANDS

Aspirin, Bayer, Bufferin, Excedrin (aspirin-containing products)

ACTIVE INGREDIENT

diclofenac (Diclofenac (Oral))

COMMON BRANDS

Voltaren (oral), Cataflam

ACTIVE INGREDIENT

diphenhydramine / chlorpheniramine / doxylamine (class) (First-Generation Sedating Antihistamines)

COMMON BRANDS

Benadryl (diphenhydramine), NyQuil (doxylamine component), Dimetapp (chlorpheniramine in some formulations), Sleep-eze, Unisom

MEDICATION / ACTIVE INGREDIENT

ibuprofen

COMMON BRANDS

Advil, Motrin, Nurofen, Life Brand Ibuprofen

ACTIVE INGREDIENT

ibuprofen + acetaminophen (class) (Combination NSAID + Acetaminophen Products)

COMMON BRANDS

Advil Dual Action, Some generic pain reliever combos

MEDICATION / ACTIVE INGREDIENT

naproxen

COMMON BRANDS

Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox, Life Brand Naproxen

ACTIVE INGREDIENT

phenylephrine (Phenylephrine (Systemic))

COMMON BRANDS

Sudafed PE, NeoCitran (some formulations), DayQuil (older phenylephrine-containing versions), Life Brand Cold & Sinus PE

MEDICATION / ACTIVE INGREDIENT

pseudoephedrine

COMMON BRANDS

Sudafed, Advil Cold & Sinus, Claritin-D, Reactine Allergy + Sinus, Life Brand Sinus Relief (pseudoephedrine-containing)

📋Combination Products (Combos)

PRODUCT NAME

Advil Cold & Sinus

Active Ingredients: ibuprofen, pseudoephedrine

Contains: ibuprofen, pseudoephedrine

NOTES

Contains ibuprofen (NSAID) and pseudoephedrine (systemic decongestant).

PRODUCT NAME

Claritin-D

Active Ingredients: loratadine, pseudoephedrine

Contains: pseudoephedrine

NOTES

Antihistamine + decongestant. Evaluate decongestant safety (pseudoephedrine).

PRODUCT NAME

DayQuil Cold & Flu (typical)

Active Ingredients: acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, phenylephrine

Contains: phenylephrine

NOTES

Common daytime cold/flu product. Check safety of decongestant component (phenylephrine) and watch total acetaminophen dose.

PRODUCT NAME

Excedrin Extra Strength (typical)

Active Ingredients: acetaminophen, aspirin, caffeine

NOTES

Migraine/headache combo with aspirin (salicylate). Avoid if aspirin/salicylates are contraindicated.

PRODUCT NAME

NeoCitran Cold & Flu (Hot Drink)

Active Ingredients: acetaminophen, pheniramine, phenylephrine

Contains: phenylephrine

NOTES

Hot drink cold/flu remedy. Contains decongestant and antihistamine; check both components for safety.

PRODUCT NAME

NyQuil Cold & Flu (typical)

Active Ingredients: acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, doxylamine

NOTES

Nighttime cold/flu product. Contains sedating antihistamine (doxylamine); avoid if first-generation antihistamines are not recommended.

PRODUCT NAME

Reactine Allergy + Sinus

Active Ingredients: cetirizine, pseudoephedrine

Contains: pseudoephedrine

NOTES

Second-generation antihistamine plus decongestant. Check pseudoephedrine risks.

PRODUCT NAME

Tylenol Cold & Sinus (typical)

Active Ingredients: acetaminophen, pseudoephedrine

Contains: pseudoephedrine

NOTES

Acetaminophen plus systemic decongestant. Evaluate decongestant safety and total acetaminophen.

PRODUCT NAME

Tylenol Complete Cold, Cough & Flu (typical)

Active Ingredients: acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, guaifenesin

Contains: pseudoephedrine

NOTES

Multi-symptom product. Check decongestant suitability and avoid duplicate acetaminophen.

⚠️ Important Medical Disclaimer

Always consult with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking any medication. This list is for reference purposes only.