Coldrex vs NyQuil:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, NyQuil had more branded searches than Coldrex among cold and flu brands worldwide. NyQuil had about 301,000 branded searches, while Coldrex had 60,500. NyQuil made up 6.5% of all cold and flu brand searches we track, and Coldrex accounted for 1.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cold and flu brands, NyQuil appeared in three of the five answers and Coldrex in none.
Who do people search for more?
NyQuil, about 5 searches for every 1 for Coldrex
Who does AI mention more?
NyQuil, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Coldrex in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
NyQuil, the only one of the two named
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Top cold and flu brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, NyQuil was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Coldrex did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Mucinex4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Tylenol3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Sudafed3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- NyQuil3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- DayQuil3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Vicks1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Strepsils0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Difflam0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Coldrex0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about cold and flu brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which cold and flu brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best cold and flu brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best cold and flu brand for cold symptoms?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best cold medicine”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sore throat relief”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Coldrex or NyQuil more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Coldrex and NyQuil by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine cold and flu brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for NyQuil, Coldrex. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Vicks | Tylenol | Strepsils | Mucinex | Sudafed | NyQuil | DayQuil | Difflam | Coldrex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 26.9% | 28.9% | 15.8% | 8.7% | 8.7% | 4.7% | 3.2% | 1.7% | 1.4% |
| Nov 2025 | 24.5% | 25.4% | 17.1% | 11.4% | 9.4% | 6.3% | 3.4% | 1.5% | 1% |
| Dec 2025 | 26% | 18.6% | 15.3% | 15.3% | 10.2% | 6.9% | 4.6% | 1.7% | 1.4% |
| Jan 2026 | 26% | 22.7% | 15.3% | 12.5% | 10.2% | 6.8% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 1.4% |
| Feb 2026 | 25.3% | 22.1% | 14.9% | 12.2% | 12.2% | 6.7% | 3.7% | 1.6% | 1.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 24.2% | 22.9% | 15.4% | 12.6% | 12.6% | 5.6% | 3.8% | 1.7% | 1.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 22.3% | 25.9% | 17.4% | 11.6% | 11.6% | 5.2% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 0.86% |
| May 2026 | 23.7% | 23.1% | 18.9% | 12.7% | 10.3% | 5.7% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 0.76% |
| Jun 2026 | 26.2% | 25% | 20.4% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 5% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 0.55% |
| Jul 2026 | 26.2% | 25% | 20.4% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 5% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 0.55% |
| Aug 2026 | 25% | 26.8% | 18% | 9.8% | 9.8% | 5.4% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 0.59% |
| Sep 2026 | 24.8% | 21.7% | 17.9% | 12% | 9.8% | 6.5% | 4.4% | 1.6% | 1.3% |
How has the Coldrex and NyQuil comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- NyQuil was ahead of Coldrex in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Coldrex’s share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide moved from 1.4% to 1.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 74K to 60.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, NyQuil’s share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide moved from 4.7% to 6.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 246K to 301K.
How did search popularity change for cold and flu brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, NyQuil gained share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide, from 5.4% to 6.5%.
In September 2026, Coldrex gained share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide, from 0.59% to 1.3%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Coldrex’s and NyQuil’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among cold and flu brands
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