Does Theraflu Contain Alcohol? It Depends on the Version
Some do. The DailyMed label for Theraflu-D syrup lists alcohol as an inactive ingredient, while the Severe Cold Relief Nighttime syrup label does not, and the ExpressMax syrup package says "ALCOHOL FREE." Check the label of your own product. Separately, the labels warn about liver damage with 3 or more alcoholic drinks a day, so ask a pharmacist before drinking while taking it.
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What the labels list
We read two Theraflu labels on DailyMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine drug-label database. Neither lists alcohol among its inactive ingredients.
- ExpressMax Severe Cold and Flu Syrup: active ingredients are acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin and phenylephrine. Inactive ingredients include glycerin, maltitol solution, propylene glycol and purified water.
- Flu Relief Max Strength Nighttime powder: active ingredients are acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan. Inactive ingredients include sucrose, aspartame and maltodextrin.
Theraflu is sold in many versions, and formulas can change. Check the box in your hand.
Drinking alcohol while using it
Both labels carry a liver warning: severe liver damage may occur if you take 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using the product. The Nighttime powder also says to avoid alcoholic drinks while using it, and that alcohol, sedatives and tranquilizers may increase drowsiness.
The NIAAA also has a fact sheet on mixing alcohol with medicines. Ask a pharmacist or doctor about your own situation. See what counts as one drink with our standard drink calculator.
Do any Theraflu products contain alcohol?
At least one does. The DailyMed label for Theraflu-D Flu Relief Max Strength Plus Nasal Decongestant syrup lists “alcohol” among its inactive ingredients, alongside glycerin, propylene glycol, purified water and sorbitol. The Theraflu Severe Cold Relief Nighttime syrup label we read does not list alcohol. Because Theraflu comes in many versions, read the inactive ingredients on your own box or its DailyMed page. We did not find an alcohol percentage on the label we read.
Can you drink alcohol while taking Theraflu?
Both labels carry the liver warning: severe liver damage may occur if you take 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using the product. The Nighttime syrup label also says to avoid alcoholic drinks and that alcohol, sedatives and tranquilizers may increase drowsiness. Ask a pharmacist or doctor about your own situation.
People also ask
Does Theraflu have alcohol in it?
The Theraflu labels we checked on DailyMed list no alcohol; the ExpressMax syrup says ALCOHOL FREE.
Can you drink alcohol while taking Theraflu?
The Nighttime powder label says to avoid alcoholic drinks, and the labels warn of liver damage with 3 or more drinks daily. Ask a pharmacist.
Why does Theraflu warn about alcohol if it has none?
Its acetaminophen can harm the liver, and alcohol can add to drowsiness from some ingredients.
Sources
- DailyMed (NLM): Theraflu ExpressMax Severe Cold and Flu Syrup label, read 4 Nov 2026
- DailyMed (NLM): Theraflu Flu Relief Max Strength Nighttime powder label, read 4 Nov 2026
- DailyMed: Theraflu-D Flu Relief Max Strength Plus Nasal Decongestant syrup, read 5 Nov 2026
- DailyMed: Theraflu Severe Cold Relief Nighttime syrup, read 5 Nov 2026
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