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Our Difference: A Century of Caring

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1890's
VICKS CROUP AND PNEUMONIA SALVE

Lunsford Richardson, a pharmacist in Greensboro, North Carolina, creates and sells 21 patent medicines under the “Vicks” name in the 1890s. Of the 21 medicines, the best-selling version by far is the Vicks Croup and Pneumonia Salve.

The salve’s ingredients include menthol and a little-known Japanese ingredient. When the ointment is rubbed onto a person’s chest, body heat vaporizes the menthol, releasing soothing, medicated vapors for hours.

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1919
VapoRub™

In 1931, Vicks expanded its product line with two new products: Vicks Va-tro-nol Nose Drops and Vicks Cough Drops (pictured). Vicks Cough Drops are the first major product to join VapoRub in the Vicks’ family. They are an immediate hit, selling more than 25 million packages in the first year.

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1931
Vicks® Cough Drops

In 1931, Vicks expanded its product line with two new products: Vicks Va-tro-nol Nose Drops and Vicks Cough Drops (pictured). Vicks Cough Drops are the first major product to join VapoRub in the Vicks’ family. They are an immediate hit, selling more than 25 million packages in the first year.

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1952
Vicks® Cough Syrup

In 1952, Vicks Cough Syrup launches in the U.S. It is the first liquid cough syrup introduced by Vicks. 1952, Vicks Cough Syrup launches in the U.S. It is the first liquid cough syrup introduced by Vicks

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1959
Sinex™ Nasal Spray

After testing under the Medi-Mist Nasal Spray for three years, Vicks Sinex Nasal Spray is introduced nationally in the U.S. in 1959 to help provide relief from nasal congestion associated with hay fever and head colds. Pictured is an introductory package for the Medi-Mist Spray.

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1966:
Vicks® NyQuilTM

Based on findings from the Vicks Research and Development team, NyQuil™ is first test marketed in the U.S in 1966. Although there are alternative theories, legend has it that the name was derived from the term “nighttime tranquility". The product’s liquid form is revolutionary for the category. Previously, tablets were the preferred form of cold treatments while liquid medications were used only for coughs.

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1976
Vicks® DayCare

After being in development for nearly a decade, Vicks DayCare is launched in the U.S. in 1976. The product was initially tested under the DaQuil™TM brand name, but research didn’t show any perceived benefits by associating it with NyQuil™. To help promote the non-drowsy product benefit, the DayCare product is given a sunny orange color to signify daytime.

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1991
Vicks NyQuil LiquiCaps™

In 1991, the first Vicks NyQuil™ extension outside of the bottle makes its U.S. debut in the form of NyQuil™ LiquiCaps. LiquiCaps™ are the first over-the-counter multi-symptom cold remedy that puts liquid medicine in a capsule. The product is also intended to serve as a possible launchpad for solid forms in other Vicks cold medicine segments.

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2013
NyQuil™ and DaQuil™ Severe

All colds and flus are not created equal, that's why we created Vicks DaQuil™ and NyQuil™ Severe. It provides relief for your ugliest, nastiest, roughest, toughest cold symptoms.

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A Future of Caring

Vicks will continue to build on its legacy by developing and refining trusted cold and flu-symptom relief products for years to come.