Does robitussin make you feel better? new study investigates
NCT ID NCT06716645
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This completed study looked at how two different Robitussin cough syrup regimens affect quality of life in 244 adults with coughs from the common cold. One group used a single daytime/nighttime syrup, while the other used separate daytime and nighttime syrups. Researchers measured changes in symptoms and daily functioning using a standard cold questionnaire.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Dextromethorphan and guaifenesin (daytime); dextromethorphan and doxylamine (nighttime)
- What this could lead to
- If the results are positive, this could confirm that these over-the-counter cough syrups help people feel better and function more normally while they have a cold.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed real-world study, not a tightly controlled trial, so results may be influenced by factors like how people naturally recover from a cold. The findings are unlikely to change standard care.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 4
Runs after approval, following long-term safety and how well the treatment works in everyday use.
- Participants
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244 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Dec 2024
- Finished
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Feb 2025
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Participant provides a signed and dated electronic informed consent document indicating that the participant has been informed of and consents to all pertinent aspects of the study, before any assessment is performed and participant has reviewed and is willing to follow the product label. * Participant aged 18 years or older at the time of electronic consent, inclusive of all ethnicities, races and gender identities. * Participant reporting initiation of cough symptoms within 48 hours prior to initiation of the virtual visit. * Participant reporting a minimum score of 5 (moderate) for cough associated with common cold symptoms and at least one other symptom of common cold (at least mild score of 3) as per the WURSS-21 symptom domains. * Participant reporting at least one night's sleep has been disrupted in the previous 2 nights due to the symptoms of common cold. * Participant who is willing to self-treat their cough using the study treatment. * Participant who is in good general and mental health. * Participant who resides in the United States (except for Hawaii and Alaska). * Participant who owns a mobile device with access to stable internet connection and is willing to use their device to complete study surveys and assessments per the schedule of events. * Participant who has not taken any cough products containing dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, or doxylamine (example, Robitussin, Delsym, Vicks, Mucinex), or cough drops/lozenges containing benzocaine or menthol (example, Cepacol, Halls, Ricola) or any natural cough products during the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Have a history of allergies (example, rash, hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat) to any medication or any kind or sensitivity to ingredients in pain, cough, cold, and flu products; including the following active ingredients found in the Research products: 1. Active Ingredients - dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, doxylamine. 2. Inactive Ingredients - anhydrous citric acid, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, FD\&C blue no. 1, FD\&C red no. 40, glycerin, liquid glucose, menthol, natural and artificial flavors, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, purified water, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate, sucralose, triacetin, xanthan gum. * Participant who is currently taking medications that may interact with the study products. * Participant who is pregnant, lactating, or plans to be pregnant or lactating during the course of the study (self-report). * Participant who has taken any cough products containing dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, or doxylamine (example, Robitussin, Delsym, Vicks, Mucinex), or cough drops/lozenges containing benzocaine or menthol (example, Cepacol, Halls, Ricola) or any natural cough products within 7 days prior to the virtual visit. * Have previously been diagnosed with: 1. prostate gland enlargement or difficulty urinating. 2. glaucoma (excessive pressure inside your eyes). 3. asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic cough or chronic lung disease (difficulty in breathing and cough that won't go away). 4. Pneumonia (within the last 6 months). 5. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) (within the last month). * Are taking medication(s) to treat - psychiatric / mental health conditions (example, anxiety, depression) or Parkinson's disease. Medications such as: 1\. Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) \[example, Azilect, Emsam, Marplan, Nardil\] or have stopped them within the last 2 weeks per their doctor's advice. * Are currently taking sedatives or tranquilizers (example, Ambien, Xanax, Klonopin). * Are taking drugs for heart problems such as quinidine, amiodarone or metoprolol, antidepressants such as fluoxetine and paroxetine, or antipsychotics such as haloperidol and thioridazine. * Participant who is currently experiencing: 1. cough accompanied by fever, rash, or persistent headache OR 2. cough with too much phlegm. * Participant who is an employee of Lindus Health, either directly involved in the conduct of the study or a member of their immediate family; or a Haleon employee directly involved in the conduct of the study or a member of their immediate family. * Participant who has participated in other studies (including non-medicinal studies) involving investigational product(s) within 30 days prior to study entry. * Participant who has previously been enrolled in this study. * Participant sharing the same address as another participant who has been enrolled in this study. * Participant who, in the opinion of the investigator or delegate, should not participate in the study, including a participant who meets any of the "stop use" criteria recommended by the label.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Lindus Health Limited
New York, New York, 10017, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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