In the good old days I took over-the-counter medication for backaches. My pain was bad, so I took extra-strength tablets. The “extra” on the label meant that each tablet contained twice as much painkiller as the regular-strength ones.
In the good old days I took an over-the-counter decongestant to defuse migraines. I took regular-strength decongestant tablets rather than the extra-strength ones. The “extra” on the label meant that each tablet included a painkiller: Its dose of decongestant was the same as the regular-strength tablets. Because my migraines didn’t always present with pain, I medicated the pain independently.
That was the good old days when “extra” meant, well, “something more”: more of the same painkiller in one case, more medicinal ingredients in the other.
Today, the Big Guy went to buy more over-the-counter cold medication, because I had gone through our stock of extra-strength caplets and still felt crummy. He returned with regular strength, that being all they had in stock. I looked at the two labels to see how they differed.
They do not differ: Each caplet contains the same ingredients, in the same amounts.
So, what makes one box “extra-strength”? The dosage. To achieve an extra-strength effect, take two regular-strength caplets, conveniently contained within.
Ah for the good old days, when “extra” actually meant “something more.” Something more than “take two.”
Isabel, you are a wonder! You think about checking things and looking into situations that must slide right past me every day. What an eye-opener! I shall be more alert. “Extra” on your part, indeed. To the misleading advertisers, Harrumph!
Laurna – Harrumph, indeed. 🙂
Sounds similar to the term “FREE” as opposed to “INCLUDED”
Barry – Yes, a distinction that seems lost on many. Also “government-funded” as opposed to “taxpayer-funded”? Lots of false advertising to go around.
Always important to read the label! And also to talk to the pharmacist- sometimes you’re better to only take the drugs that you need, rather than a mixture? But there, that said, Hope you feel better soon.
Alison – Yes, taking only what’s needed seems right — my own theory when it comes to migraines — but somehow when I have a cold, I want everything that’s going. As for professional advice, I like pharmacists in theory but our local crew is a bit cranky so I minimize my interactions.
Isabel
But doesn’t the daytime capsule contain something non-drowsy?
Tom
Tom – I think the way it works is that the night-time capsule has something drowsy-making that the daytime capsule lacks. But neither of them have any extra compared to their regular-strength equivalents.