Apparently a lot of the cold medicine you’re buying is the same stuff in a different box.

Cold season is here, and I had no idea how much overlap there was between all these products. You walk into a pharmacy and see DayQuil, NyQuil, Mucinex, Theraflu, Tylenol Cold, all these different versions for every possible symptom. But look at the ingredients and you’ll see the same names over and over.

Acetaminophen is Tylenol. Dextromethorphan (DM) is a cough suppressant. Guaifenesin is supposed to loosen mucus. A lot of these products are just combinations of those ingredients.

Then there’s phenylephrine. This one is worth knowing about. It’s in plenty of popular cold medicines, including some DayQuil formulas. The FDA reviewed the evidence and proposed removing oral phenylephrine from OTC products because it doesn’t work for nasal congestion at the recommended dose. Yes, an ingredient in medicines people buy specifically to clear a stuffy nose.

Pseudoephedrine is different. That’s the Sudafed you have to ask the pharmacist for. You don’t need a prescription, but you’ll need ID. It actually works as a nasal decongestant, although it can raise blood pressure and isn’t suitable for everyone.

And if you’ve ever used Afrin, you know it can clear your nose pretty quickly. Just don’t use it for more than three days. Rebound congestion is real, and you can end up more congested after stopping.

One thing I would definitely check is acetaminophen. It’s easy to take regular Tylenol for a headache and then take a cold medicine that already contains it. Different brand names don’t mean different ingredients.

Next time you’re buying cold medicine, turn the box around and compare the active ingredients. You might be surprised how little difference there is between the $7 generic and the $18 name brand.

This is not medical advice. Always read the labels and check with a pharmacist before combining medications, especially if you have existing health conditions or take other prescriptions.