Brand vs. generic cold medication

Brand- vs. generic-name products
According to Eckel, consumers can save up to 25 per cent when they buy store-brand products versus name-brand ones. "The reason that the store brand is less expensive than the advertised product is primarily (because of) the cost of promotion," he says. Store-brand products aren't typically advertised and the savings are passed on to the consumer. 
For over-the-counter store-brand medicine, the quality and effectiveness is often equal to the advertised brand and you will probably find that both contain the same active ingredients. "Shoppers Drug Mart certainly is so confident that their brand [Life Brand] is going to have the same effect as the brand name that they have a full money-back [guarantee]," says Stewart. 
On many store shelves, you'll find the generic brand right next to the advertised brand. By comparing the active ingredients of the two packages, you may find that they are equal in potency. You'll often find a difference in the inactive ingredients like the flavouring -- and the price.

Active Ingredients
Before heading to the pharmacy, check out the following list of active ingredients to treat common cold and flu symptoms:

Pain relief (to relieve aches and fever):
• Acetaminophen
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen Sodium

Cough (suppressants and expectorants):
• Dextromethorphan/Guaifenesin

Runny nose/itchy and watery eyes (antihistamines):
• Diphenhydramine
• Loratadine

Congestion (decongestants):
• Pseudoephedrine
• Oxymetazoline

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