Is your go-to cold medicine on the recall list? The looming ingredient ban that could affect thousands!
By
Veronica E.
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As cold season rolls in, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your trusted cold medicine is safe. But what if the medicine you rely on for relief was just pulled from shelves?
This isn't just about a simple recall—there’s a much bigger conversation brewing that could affect thousands.
A major recall has been issued for a popular cold and flu medicine due to concerns flagged by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
But it’s not just about the recall. It’s part of a growing issue involving one of the main ingredients in many cold and flu remedies—an ingredient that’s now under serious scrutiny.
So, what’s going on? If you use a well-known over-the-counter cold medicine, you’ll want to pay attention to these details.
The Recall Rundown: What You Need to Know
Costco shoppers, take note: 8,640 boxes of Kirkland brand cold and flu medicine have been pulled from shelves.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) flagged the product for substandard quality, citing deviations from Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP).
These regulations are the FDA’s way of ensuring that products are produced consistently and up to standard. When a product falls short, it’s a warning for potential issues.
The recalled medicine is a 168-count twin pack, with 112 caplets for daytime relief and 56 for nighttime.
Source: Reddit / desertsnakes
It’s designed to mimic the familiar Vicks Dayquil & Nyquil Vapocool packaging, with an orange and blue color scheme to differentiate between day and night usage.
The box, which retails for $15.99, is marked with the words Severe Cold and Flu in bold white letters.
If you have this product at home, check for the following identifiers to see if your box is part of the recall:
The FDA has classified this as a Class II recall, which means the risk of serious adverse health consequences is low. However, they advise against using the recalled medicine. Instead, you can return it to Costco or dispose of it safely.
The Phenylephrine Debate: An Ingredient in Question
Interestingly, the recall comes at a time when one of the medicine's ingredients, oral phenylephrine, is under scrutiny. An FDA panel of experts has questioned the effectiveness of phenylephrine as an oral nasal decongestant.
Despite this, the recall is not directly related to the ingredient’s efficacy but rather to the quality control issues mentioned earlier.
Phenylephrine is a common decongestant found in many over-the-counter cold and flu remedies. It’s meant to relieve stuffy noses and sinus pressure, but the panel's unanimous vote against its effectiveness could lead to a ban.
This potential ban is a separate issue, but it could reshape the landscape of cold and flu medications in the future.
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What’s Next for Cold and Flu Sufferers?
As we navigate the cold and flu season, it’s essential to stay informed about the medications we rely on.
With the recall and the potential ban on phenylephrine, you might be wondering what alternatives are available.
Here are a few tips:
1. Check Your Medicine Cabinet: Review your cold and flu medications to ensure they’re not part of the recall and keep an eye out for updates on phenylephrine.
2. Explore Alternatives: If phenylephrine is banned, other decongestants like pseudoephedrine may become more prevalent. Natural remedies, such as steam inhalation, saline nasal sprays, and staying hydrated, can also provide relief.
3. Consult with Healthcare Professionals: Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the best treatment for your symptoms, especially as the availability of ingredients changes.
4. Stay Updated: Subscribe to health newsletters, like our weekly Post Care newsletter, for the latest breakthroughs in medicine, diet, and nutrition tips.
As cold and flu season continues, it’s crucial to stay informed about the medications you rely on. If you’ve purchased the recalled Kirkland cold medicine, be sure to return or dispose of it safely. Stay healthy, stay informed, and consult your healthcare provider for the best treatment options.
Have you been affected by the Kirkland cold and flu medicine recall? Are you concerned about the potential ban on phenylephrine? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
This isn't just about a simple recall—there’s a much bigger conversation brewing that could affect thousands.
A major recall has been issued for a popular cold and flu medicine due to concerns flagged by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
But it’s not just about the recall. It’s part of a growing issue involving one of the main ingredients in many cold and flu remedies—an ingredient that’s now under serious scrutiny.
So, what’s going on? If you use a well-known over-the-counter cold medicine, you’ll want to pay attention to these details.
The Recall Rundown: What You Need to Know
Costco shoppers, take note: 8,640 boxes of Kirkland brand cold and flu medicine have been pulled from shelves.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) flagged the product for substandard quality, citing deviations from Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP).
These regulations are the FDA’s way of ensuring that products are produced consistently and up to standard. When a product falls short, it’s a warning for potential issues.
The recalled medicine is a 168-count twin pack, with 112 caplets for daytime relief and 56 for nighttime.
Source: Reddit / desertsnakes
It’s designed to mimic the familiar Vicks Dayquil & Nyquil Vapocool packaging, with an orange and blue color scheme to differentiate between day and night usage.
The box, which retails for $15.99, is marked with the words Severe Cold and Flu in bold white letters.
If you have this product at home, check for the following identifiers to see if your box is part of the recall:
- National Drug Code/NDC number: 63981-795-81
- Lot numbers: P139953 or P139815
- Expiration date: August 2026
The Phenylephrine Debate: An Ingredient in Question
Interestingly, the recall comes at a time when one of the medicine's ingredients, oral phenylephrine, is under scrutiny. An FDA panel of experts has questioned the effectiveness of phenylephrine as an oral nasal decongestant.
Despite this, the recall is not directly related to the ingredient’s efficacy but rather to the quality control issues mentioned earlier.
Phenylephrine is a common decongestant found in many over-the-counter cold and flu remedies. It’s meant to relieve stuffy noses and sinus pressure, but the panel's unanimous vote against its effectiveness could lead to a ban.
This potential ban is a separate issue, but it could reshape the landscape of cold and flu medications in the future.

If you're dealing with a stuffy nose, your go-to cold medicine might be affected by the recall. Image Source: Pexels / Polina Tankilevitch.
What’s Next for Cold and Flu Sufferers?
As we navigate the cold and flu season, it’s essential to stay informed about the medications we rely on.
With the recall and the potential ban on phenylephrine, you might be wondering what alternatives are available.
Here are a few tips:
1. Check Your Medicine Cabinet: Review your cold and flu medications to ensure they’re not part of the recall and keep an eye out for updates on phenylephrine.
2. Explore Alternatives: If phenylephrine is banned, other decongestants like pseudoephedrine may become more prevalent. Natural remedies, such as steam inhalation, saline nasal sprays, and staying hydrated, can also provide relief.
3. Consult with Healthcare Professionals: Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the best treatment for your symptoms, especially as the availability of ingredients changes.
4. Stay Updated: Subscribe to health newsletters, like our weekly Post Care newsletter, for the latest breakthroughs in medicine, diet, and nutrition tips.
As cold and flu season continues, it’s crucial to stay informed about the medications you rely on. If you’ve purchased the recalled Kirkland cold medicine, be sure to return or dispose of it safely. Stay healthy, stay informed, and consult your healthcare provider for the best treatment options.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled thousands of boxes of Kirkland Signature Severe Cold & Flu Plus Congestion, which is comparable to Dayquil and Nyquil.
- The recall of the medication, sold at Costco, is due to quality control issues and not because of the ingredient phenylephrine, which is currently facing scrutiny over its effectiveness.
- The medicine, packaged in a 168-count twin pack with distinctive day and night caplets, was not manufactured according to Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP).
- Consumers who have bought the product with specific lot numbers and expiration dates are urged not to consume the medication and to either dispose of it or return it to Costco.
Have you been affected by the Kirkland cold and flu medicine recall? Are you concerned about the potential ban on phenylephrine? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!