IE 10 or 11 may display this page improperly. Please upgrade to Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Firefox.

Vicks History

Mobile_OurDifference_Banner

RELIEF AND CARING

The Vicks® legacy is about more than just cold and flu medicine. It’s about giving families the opportunity to continue life—even on sick days—for more than 100 years.

Historical Vicks ads are for entertainment purposes only. Historical product claims may no longer be valid. For information on current Vicks products and usage, go to the Browse Products section. Use all products as directed.

  • history-1890
    1890'S

    VICKS® CROUP AND PNEUMONIA SALVE

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

    The salve’s ingredients include menthol, a new and 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.

  • history-1919
    1919

    VAPORUB™

    When the Spanish flu hit the U.S. from 1918 to 1919, Vicks VapoRub sales skyrocketed from $900,000 to $2.9 million in just one year. Sales increased so dramatically that the Vicks plant operated day and night to keep up with orders.

  • history-1931
    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 were an immediate hit, selling more than 25 million packages in the first year.

  • history-1952
    1952

    VICKS® COUGH SYRUP

    In 1952, Vicks® Cough Syrup launches in the U.S.; it's the first liquid cough syrup introduced by Vicks.

  • history-1959
    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.

  • history-1966
    1966

    VICKS® NYQUIL™

    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.

  • history-1976
    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 DayQuil 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.

  • history-1991
    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.

  • history-2012
    2012

    ZZZQUIL™ WARMING BERRY LIQUID & LIQUICAPS®

    For those with occasional sleeplessness, we created ZzzQuil, a non-habit forming OTC Sleep-Aid. It’s not for colds. It’s not for pains. It’s to simply help you sleep soundly and wake refreshed.

  • history-2015
    2015

    ZZZQUIL™ CALMING VANILLA CHERRY & SOOTHING MANGO BERRY ALCOHOL FREE LIQUID

    We introduced two new ZzzQuil Liquid flavours for those with occasional sleeplessness: Calming Vanilla Cherry & Soothing Mango Berry. They still aren’t for colds and pains. They were created to continue helping you sleep soundly and wake refreshed.

connect



browse

by product

      by symptom

        help & support

        • Contact Us
        • For ingredients and more, Select a product

        bbb-logo