Cold Tablets in India: What They Contain, Common Brands and When to See a Doctor
Vibcare Pharma
05/10/26
Common cold tablet ingredients at a glance
| Ingredient | Type | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Paracetamol | Pain reliever and fever reducer | Aches, headache, fever |
| Phenylephrine | Decongestant | Blocked nose |
| Chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine | Antihistamines (drowsy type) | Runny nose, sneezing |
| Cetirizine | Antihistamine (non-drowsy type) | Runny nose, sneezing |
| Caffeine | Stimulant | Added to some combinations |
What a cold is
A common cold is a viral infection of the nose and throat, and it is not a bacterial illness, so it is not treated with antibiotics. The US CDC says more than 200 viruses can cause colds and that rhinoviruses are the most common. Because a virus causes it, a cold has to run its course while the body clears the infection.
Symptoms build up over 2 to 3 days, according to the NHS. The NHS says you "begin to feel better in about 1 to 2 weeks", while the CDC says colds usually last less than a week. A cough can hang on longer: NICE states that acute cough is usually self-limiting within 3 to 4 weeks.
GPs do not recommend antibiotics for colds, and the CDC points out that antibiotics do not work against viruses. NICE also notes that the limited evidence available suggests antihistamines, decongestants and codeine cough medicines do not help a cough. The NHS advice is to rest and drink plenty of fluids; a tablet only eases individual symptoms.
What is inside a cold tablet
The cold tablets on this page combine two to five active ingredients, and each one is there for a different symptom. Knowing which ingredient does what helps you avoid paying for, and taking, something you do not need.
Paracetamol
- Pain and fever
- 325–650 mg per tablet
Paracetamol is added for body aches, headache and fever. All seven brands in the table further down contain 500 mg per tablet; some other combinations use 325 mg or 650 mg. It treats the symptom only; it does not shorten the cold itself.
Phenylephrine
- Decongestant
- 5–10 mg per tablet
Phenylephrine is a decongestant used for a blocked nose, and Indian labels commonly carry 5 mg or 10 mg per tablet. For decongestants as a group, a Cochrane review of 15 trials, published on 21 October 2016, found a small benefit from multiple doses in adults, but the evidence was low quality and it was uncertain whether the difference mattered to patients; no evidence was found in children. The review does not show that oral phenylephrine itself works.
In the United States, the FDA Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee concluded on 11–12 September 2023 that the data do not support the effectiveness of oral phenylephrine at the monograph dose, and on 7 November 2024 the FDA proposed removing oral phenylephrine from the US over-the-counter monograph. This is a question of effectiveness, not of safety, and products may remain on sale there until a final order is issued; no final order was found as of 5 October 2026. It is a United States regulatory step, and Indian labels and rules are separate.
Antihistamines
- Runny nose, sneezing
- Some cause drowsiness
Chlorpheniramine, cetirizine and diphenhydramine are antihistamines, and cold tablets include them for a runny nose and sneezing. A Cochrane review from 2015 covering 18 trials and 4,342 people found a short-term benefit on overall symptoms on days 1 and 2 in adults only (45 per cent improved against 38 per cent), but no clinically significant effect on congestion, runny nose or sneezing. No evidence was found in children.
Some of these are sedating and some are not, and that difference matters for daily life. Chlorpheniramine and diphenhydramine are the sedating type and can make you drowsy, while cetirizine is classed as a "non-drowsy" type; the NHS advises not to drive or use machinery after a sedating antihistamine.
Combination products
- 2–5 ingredients
Many Indian cold tablets combine an antihistamine, a decongestant and a pain reliever in one tablet. A Cochrane review from 2022 covering 30 trials and 6,304 people found some benefit on overall symptoms in adults and older children, none in young children, and more side effects.
Caffeine
- Stimulant
- 25–50 mg per tablet
Caffeine is added to some combinations as a stimulant. A Cochrane review from 2014 found a small extra benefit when 100 mg or more of caffeine was added to paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain; cold tablets usually contain much less, around 25 mg to 50 mg per tablet.
Safety: what to check before you take a cold tablet
The main safety points are the daily paracetamol limit, the drowsiness risk from sedating antihistamines, the rules for children, and the need to avoid alcohol and duplicate ingredients. Follow the label of the brand you buy and the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep within the paracetamol limit
The NHS says an adult should take no more than 8 tablets of 500 mg or 4 tablets of 1 g of paracetamol in 24 hours, with the doses at least 4 hours apart. It also says not to take paracetamol with other paracetamol-containing medicines such as cold and flu remedies, because too much can damage the liver. Do not take paracetamol for more than 3 days without a doctor's advice.
Most of the cold tablets on this page contain paracetamol, so taking a separate paracetamol tablet as well can take you over the daily limit. The NHS says not to use other cough and cold medicines if you are also taking paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets. Check the label of every product you take on the same day.
Drowsiness
Cold tablets containing chlorpheniramine or diphenhydramine can cause drowsiness, so do not drive or use machinery after taking them. Do not take two antihistamine-containing remedies together, and the NHS advises not to drink alcohol with antihistamines, especially the drowsy type, because it makes sleepiness more likely. If you need to stay alert, read the label carefully and ask your pharmacist which antihistamine the tablet contains.
Children
The NHS says decongestants should not be used by children under 6, and the CDC says over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are not recommended for children under 6. The NHS also says aspirin should not be given to anyone under 16. Some Indian labels carry their own age limits; for example, the label of one over-the-counter brand states that it is not advised under 6. Always read the pack and ask a doctor before giving any cold tablet to a child.
Prescription status
Check each pack for its prescription status. Prescription medicines must be taken only as prescribed by a doctor. This article is general information about ingredients and labels and is not a substitute for medical advice.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if your symptoms are severe, getting worse or simply not going away. Both the NHS and the CDC give clear warning signs.
- High temperature for more than 3 days (NHS), or fever lasting more than 4 days (CDC).
- Symptoms getting worse, or a very high temperature with hot and shivery feelings (NHS).
- Shortness of breath or chest pain (NHS), or trouble breathing (CDC).
- Dehydration (CDC).
- No improvement after 10 days (NHS), or symptoms lasting more than 10 days (CDC).
- A cough lasting more than 3 weeks (NHS).
- A long-term condition or a weakened immune system (NHS).
- Worry about a child at any stage (NHS).
Common cold tablet brands in India
Several combination cold tablets are widely sold in India, and the table below lists each brand, its company and its composition per tablet as published on 1mg on 5 October 2026. The compositions are given for information only and are not a recommendation.
| Brand | Company | Composition per tablet |
|---|---|---|
| Sinarest New | Centaur | Chlorpheniramine 2 mg + paracetamol 500 mg + phenylephrine 10 mg |
| Febrex Plus | Indoco | Chlorpheniramine 2 mg + paracetamol 500 mg + phenylephrine 10 mg |
| Cheston Cold | Cipla | Caffeine 30 mg + diphenhydramine 25 mg + paracetamol 500 mg + phenylephrine 5 mg |
| D-Cold Total | Reckitt | Paracetamol 500 mg + caffeine 32 mg + phenylephrine 10 mg |
| Vicks Action 500 Extra | P&G | Paracetamol 500 mg + phenylephrine 10 mg + caffeine 32 mg |
| Crocin Cold & Flu Max | GSK India | Paracetamol 500 mg + caffeine 32 mg + phenylephrine 10 mg |
| Dolo Cold | Micro Labs | Paracetamol 500 mg + caffeine 30 mg + phenylephrine 10 mg |
The Vibcare cold range
Vibcare Pharma markets 15 cold and multi-symptom tablets in six compositions across four divisions. Some add a second pain reliever (aceclofenac or nimesulide, both anti-inflammatory painkillers) or ambroxol and guaiphenesin. Compositions, packs and MRPs below are as stated on our product pages.
Cetirizine 5 mg + phenylephrine 5 mg + paracetamol 325 mg
4 divisions
- Fevovib TabletPrima · strip of 10₹51.56
- Yetmol TabletAuspin · strip of 10₹51.56
- Fevolam ColdEvermed · strip of 10₹51.56
- StocoldMedanor · strip of 10₹51.56
Paracetamol 325 mg + phenylephrine 5 mg + ambroxol 15 mg + guaiphenesin 50 mg + cetirizine 5 mg
3 divisions
- Paravib Total AdvancePrima · strip of 10₹90
- Parajem Total AdvanceAuspin · strip of 10₹90
- Everpara Total AdvanceEvermed · strip of 10₹90
Aceclofenac 100 mg + paracetamol 325 mg + cetirizine 10 mg + phenylephrine 5 mg + caffeine 25 mg
3 divisions
- Acrimol PlusPrima · strip of 10₹62
- Apojem PlusAuspin · strip of 10₹62
- Vivonac PlusEvermed · strip of 10₹62
Nimesulide 100 mg + paracetamol 325 mg + phenylephrine 10 mg + caffeine 25 mg
3 divisions
- Nimovib PlusPrima · strip of 10₹81
- Nimojem PlusAuspin · strip of 10₹75.94
- Nimolam PlusEvermed · strip of 10₹81
Paracetamol 650 mg + caffeine anhydrous 50 mg
Prima
- Paravib ColdPrima · strip of 15₹59.06
Paracetamol 500 mg + phenylephrine 10 mg + chlorpheniramine maleate 2 mg
Prima
- SinavibPrima · strip of 10₹59
Check each pack for its prescription status and directions. Prescription medicines must be taken only as prescribed by a doctor; this page does not give dose instructions.
How Vibcare works with partners
Vibcare Pharma Pvt Ltd (Panchkula, Haryana; incorporated 2014) appoints PCD franchise partners district by district, with one partner per district and monopoly rights confirmed in writing. It has products across 11 divisions and works with more than 5,000 partners.
Our manufacturing company, Vibcare Healthcare, owns a WHO-GMP plant at Village Dabkori, Panchkula (1 lakh sq ft on five acres; WHO-GMP site certificate of 24 October 2024 from the State Drugs Controller, FDA Haryana). The manufacturer of each product is named on its pack.
To start a franchise you need a wholesale drug licence and GST registration.
Stock the Vibcare cold range in your district
Vibcare appoints one PCD franchise partner per district, with monopoly rights confirmed in writing. Trade rates for every product are on its product page.
Frequently asked questions
Which tablet is used for cold?
Most cold tablets sold in India are combination tablets. Common ingredients are paracetamol for aches and fever, a decongestant such as phenylephrine for a blocked nose, and sometimes an antihistamine such as chlorpheniramine or cetirizine for a runny nose and sneezing. Which tablet suits you depends on the symptoms you want to relieve and on your other medicines, so read the label and ask your doctor or pharmacist. Prescription medicines must be taken only as prescribed by your doctor.
Do antibiotics help a cold?
No. A cold is caused by viruses, and the CDC says antibiotics do not work against viruses; the NHS says GPs do not recommend antibiotics for colds. Antibiotics are only useful for bacterial infections, and taking one for a cold gives no benefit.
Can I take a cold tablet with paracetamol?
Most cold tablets already contain paracetamol, so adding a separate paracetamol tablet can push you over the daily limit. The NHS says an adult should take no more than 8 tablets of 500 mg or 4 tablets of 1 g in 24 hours, at least 4 hours apart, and should not take paracetamol alongside other paracetamol-containing medicines such as cold and flu remedies, because too much can damage the liver.
Do cold tablets make you sleepy?
Some do. Cold tablets containing sedating antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine or diphenhydramine can cause drowsiness, and the NHS advises not to drive or use machinery after taking them; cetirizine is classed as a "non-drowsy" type. The NHS advises not to drink alcohol with antihistamines, and do not combine two antihistamine-containing remedies.
Can children take cold tablets?
Only with care and medical advice. The NHS says decongestants should not be used by children under 6, and the CDC says over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are not recommended for children under 6; the NHS also says aspirin must not be given under 16. Some product labels carry their own age limits, so read the pack and ask a doctor before giving any cold tablet to a child.
How long does a cold last?
The NHS says symptoms build over 2 to 3 days and that you begin to feel better in about 1 to 2 weeks, while the CDC says colds usually last less than a week. A cough may continue longer; NICE states that acute cough is usually self-limiting within 3 to 4 weeks.
When should I see a doctor for a cold?
See a doctor if a high temperature lasts more than 3 days, if symptoms get worse or show no improvement after 10 days, if you are short of breath or have chest pain, if you have a very high temperature with shivering, if a cough lasts more than 3 weeks, or if you have a long-term condition or weakened immune system. The CDC adds trouble breathing, dehydration and fever lasting more than 4 days. If you are worried about a child at any stage, seek medical help.
Sources
Show all 21 sources
- NHS – Common cold
- CDC – About the common cold
- CDC – Common cold treatment
- NICE – NG120, cough (acute): antimicrobial prescribing, recommendations
- Cochrane – Nasal decongestants for the common cold
- US FDA – Key information about oral phenylephrine
- Cochrane – Antihistamines for the common cold
- Cochrane – Oral antihistamine-decongestant-analgesic combinations for the common cold
- NHS – Antihistamines
- PubMed – Caffeine as an analgesic adjuvant
- NHS – How and when to take paracetamol for adults
- 1mg – Sinarest New Tablet
- 1mg – Febrex Plus Tablet
- 1mg – Cheston Cold Tablet
- 1mg – D-Cold Total Tablet
- 1mg – Vicks Action 500 Extra Tablet
- 1mg – Crocin Cold & Flu Max Tablet
- 1mg – Dolo Cold Tablet
- Vibcare Pharma – About us
- Vibcare Pharma – Manufacturing
- Vibcare Pharma – PCD pharma franchise
Related reading
Stock the Vibcare cold range in your district
Vibcare appoints one PCD franchise partner per district, with monopoly rights confirmed in writing. Trade rates for every product are on its product page.
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