Choosing The Best Over-The-Counter Medicine to Treat Your Cold or Flu | Henry Ford Health

Posted on
October
12,
2022
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Henry Ford Health Staff

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Searching for the right over-the-counter medicine to treat your cold and flu symptoms can be challenging. There are so many choices – some medicines treat certain symptoms and others offer all-in-one relief. How do you know which is best?

“Choose a medicine that targets your specific symptoms and follow the directions on the label,” says Abigail Entz, M.D., a primary care physician at Henry Ford Health. “And check with your pharmacist to ensure that the medicine you choose won’t interact with any medications you’re taking for chronic medical conditions.”

What Are The Different Types Of Cold Medicine?

Colds and flu tend to last about three to seven days. But if you’re suffering from a sore throat, nasal congestion or body aches, the discomfort can make it seem longer. “Consider taking a cold medicine if you’re having difficulty doing your daily activities or sleeping at night,” says Dr. Entz.

Here’s a breakdown of the different over-the-counter medications:

• Antihistamines: These medications relieve symptoms caused by allergies, including itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, coughing and nasal congestion. Traditional antihistamines such as brompheniramine (Dimetapp®), diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) and doxylamine (Vicks® Nyquil) are effective but may make you drowsy. A newer generation of antihistamines available over the counter do not cause fatigue. These medications include cetirizine (Zyrtec®), fexofenadine (Allegra®) and loratadine (Claritin®).
• Cough suppressants: These medications provide short-term relief for a persistent cough by blocking the nerve impulse that causes coughing. Many cough suppressants contain the active ingredient dextromethorphan.
• Decongestants: There are a wide variety of pills, sprays and drops that relieve nasal congestion. These medications narrow blood vessels in your nose, reducing swollen tissue and decreasing mucous production. The two most popular are:
  • Nasal sprays and drops: These sprays include oxymetazoline nasal (Afrin®) and phenylephrine nasal (Neo-Synephrine®), which quickly shrink swelling in your nose. You should limit the use of nasal decongestant sprays to three days, however. Extended use can cause a rebound effect of chronic inflammation of the mucous membranes in your nose.
  • Pseudoephedrine: This oral decongestant also shrinks swollen, inflamed nasal tissue. Pseudoephedrine (sold as Sudafed®), is regulated to prevent misuse. You’ll need to request it from your pharmacist and present identification when purchasing it. Ask our doctor before taking pseudoephedrine if you’re pregnant, have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease or liver disease.
• Expectorants: These medications help loosen mucous to make it easier to cough up and clear your airways. Most expectorants contain guaifenesin, which is an active ingredient in products like Mucinex® and Robitussin®.
• Pain relievers: Colds and flu can also cause aches in your head, throat and muscles along with a sore throat and fever. Pain relievers, also called analgesics, can help manage these symptoms. These medications include acetaminophen, (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Advil®) and Naproxen (Aleve®).

Use Cold Medicine Safely

Dr. Entz offers these tips for choosing and safely taking cold medicine:

• Avoid alcohol: Alcohol combined with active ingredients in cold and allergy medications can cause fatigue and may impair your ability to drive or carry out other daily activities.
• Consult your pharmacist: If you take medications for a chronic health condition, you may need to avoid certain cold medicines. People with high blood pressure (hypertension) should not take nasal decongestants, which can increase blood pressure. Let your pharmacist know if you’re taking herbal supplements, which can also interfere with some cold medicines.
• Don’t combine cold medications: Some cold and cough medicines contain the same ingredients, and if taken together, you may take more than the recommended dosage. For example, some multi-ingredient cold medicines contain acetaminophen for pain relief. Because it’s important to limit acetaminophen to no more than 4,000 milligrams per day to avoid liver damage, you shouldn’t also take acetaminophen at the same time.
• Read and follow medication instructions: Never exceed the recommended daily dosage for any medication. Follow the recommended dosage schedule.
• Target your symptoms: Choose medications that target your specific symptoms. If you only have a sore throat, choose a pain reliever and avoid taking a combined cold medicine product with additional ingredients that you don’t need.

Other Steps To Care For Your Cold And Flu

While over-the-counter medications can reduce your cold and flu symptoms, don’t forget the cold and flu care basics, including:

• Get plenty of rest: Take time to get extra sleep to help your body recover from the infection.
• Stay hydrated: Drink liquids throughout the day. Try sipping hot liquids like chicken soup, warm apple juice or hot tea with honey to soothe a sore throat and relieve congestion.
• Use a cool-mist humidifier: The humid air will help reduce your nasal congestion, allowing you to get the rest you need. Change the water and clean the unit each day, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Try saline nose drops: Saline (in the form of nose drops, spray or neti pot) can help irrigate your nose, relieving nasal congestion and stuffiness.

“It’s also important to get your annual flu shot to protect yourself from a serious illness,” says Dr. Entz.

When To See Your Doctor

If rest, hydration and over-the-counter medications don’t bring you good relief, you may need a doctor. Dr. Entz recommends seeking medical care if you experience:

• Dizziness or fatigue
• Fever that does not go away after taking a pain reliever and lasts longer than 4 hours
• Ongoing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
• Symptoms that go away for 2 to 3 days, then return and worsen

If you’re experiencing cold and flu symptoms or were around someone with these symptoms, Dr. Entz recommends getting a COVID-19 test. “Some of the newer variants of COVID-19 have similar symptoms to colds and flu,” she says. “Once you know the source of your infection, you can talk with your doctor regarding the best treatment, including which cold medicines may offer relief.”

To find a doctor at Henry Ford, visit henryford.com or call 1-800-436-7936.

Dr. Abigail Entz is an internal medicine physician who sees patients at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

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Cold Medicine Options for Cough, Stuffy Nose, Runny Nose, and More

Written by Renee Bacher

• Stuffy Nose
• Runny Nose, Watery Eyes, and Sneezing
• Cough
• Fever, Aches, and Sore Throat
• Natural Cold Remedies

Over-the-counter medicines won’t cure your cold, but they might make you feel better, so you can rest as it runs its course. Here’s a look at some common products and what they can do for you.
 

Decongestants can curb swelling inside your nose and sinuses, and help you breathe more easily. If you have nasal or sinus congestion, then a decongestant can be helpful.

Decongestants can make some people hyper or keep them awake.

They can also increase blood pressure and heart rate, and raise the chance of heart attacks and strokes. Pseudoephedrine is the primary oral decongestant available. In general, if your blood pressure is well-controlled with medications, a decongestant shouldn’t be a problem as long as you monitor your blood pressure. This may not be true with certain types of blood pressure drugs. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about what may be best for you.

Nasal decongestants work fast to open breathing passages. But if you use them for more than 3 days in a row, you may have a “rebound effect” and end up more congested than you were at the start. Some doctors suggest using a saline spray instead of a medicated spray. Saline spray works more slowly but has no rebound effect.  

There is also a bioelectronic sinus device available to help reduce sinus inflammation, pain and congestion. Sold over-the counter, it works using microcurrents on nerve fibers to help relieve symptoms.

When you have a cold, your body makes chemicals called histamines. That leads to sneezing, a runny nose, and watery eyes.

Over-the-counter antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine and diphenhydramine block this process and can relieve those symptoms. They can also make you sleepy and dry out your eyes, nose, and mouth. Antihistamines can make secretions thick, which can be a problem for people with asthma.

Can’t stop hacking? You have two main choices in the cold-and-flu aisle:

• Cough suppressants, like dextromethorphan, can provide relief for a short time. They work on the part of your brain that controls the process.
• Expectorants, like guaifenesin, can break up congestion in your chest by thinning the mucus in your airways. This way, when you do cough, you can get rid of phlegm more easily. Drink plenty of water if you take this medicine.

An occasional cough may clear the lung of pollutants and excess phlegm and probably shouldn’t be treated. But a cough that won’t go away should be diagnosed and treated.

These symptoms are usually mild with a cold compared to a more serious illness, like the flu. Still, if you feel bad and can’t rest, most experts agree it’s OK to take something to ease pain and lower a fever, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Fever may be a good thing. It helps the body fight off infection by suppressing the growth of bacteria and viruses and activating the immune system. Doctors no longer recommend fighting fever for most people, except perhaps for the very young, the very old, and those with certain medical conditions such as heart disease or lung disease. But if you’re uncomfortable, it’s fine to take these medications.

Young people (including those in their early 20s), however, should avoid aspirin. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) are best. Each type of medicine has risks, so check with your doctor or pharmacist as to which type of pain reliever or fever reducer is best for you.

Drinking lots of fluids and using salt water gargles (made by mixing a cup of warm water and a teaspoon of salt) can often ease the pain of a sore throat. Some oral medications (such as Tylenol) and medicated lozenges and gargles can also temporarily soothe a sore throat. Check with your doctor before using any medications, including over-the-counter drugs, and don’t use lozenges or gargles for more than a few days. The drugs could mask signs of strep throat, a bacterial infection that should be treated with antibiotics.

Always check drug labels for side effects and follow the instructions for taking the medicine. Make sure it won’t mix poorly with any other medications you’re taking or health problems you have — ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’re not sure.

Maybe you’ve heard that vitamin C, echinacea, and zinc are good for a cold.

They aren’t cures, but vitamin C and zinc may shorten the length of an illness. Research on echinacea has been mixed. Before you try these products, check with your doctor to make sure they’ll work well with other medicines you’re taking.

Nasal strips can also help you breathe easier, since they can enlarge nasal passages while you wear them.

Other more traditional remedies might help relieve common cold discomfort, too.

• Drink plenty of liquids, including chicken soup. It can make you feel better.
• To relieve a sore throat, gargle with warm salt water, use throat sprays, and suck on ice or lozenges.
• Try a saltwater nasal rinse. These can help with a stuffy or runny nose.
• Use petroleum jelly on your nose if it’s irritated from constant blowing. Facial tissues with added lotions can help prevent, and heal, redness and soreness.
• Use a humidifier to help break up phlegm.

Do what you can to make yourself as comfortable as possible and rest while your body fights the cold virus.

Top Picks

top 5 rating according to KP

Runny nose, or rhinitis, can occur for various reasons. They caught a cold, overcooled, inhaled a virus, dust or an allergen, injured the skin in the nose – and here it is, a runny nose. The mucous membrane becomes inflamed, swells, the nasal passages narrow and it becomes impossible to breathe.

To choose the best remedy for a cold, you need to know how they all differ. We have compiled a list of five types of drugs that are most often found on the shelves of pharmacies.

1. Sea water products

In the top of the best cold remedies, sea water-based products should be mentioned first. Among those are Aqua Maris, Aqualor, Dolphin, Morenazal, Marimer, Physiomer and others.

They are most often sold as a nasal wash rather than the usual drops or sprays. Such preparations literally wash away viruses and bacteria from the mucous membrane, increase local immunity due to the microelements contained in sea water and have a local anti-inflammatory effect. A hypertonic solution helps to relieve swelling and remove mucus, an isotonic one – conducts hygiene of the nasal cavity. However, you are unlikely to be able to breathe deeply immediately, the swelling subsides rather slowly.

With regular use, these products increase the resistance of the nasal mucosa to pathogenic bacteria and viruses, so it is an excellent option for the prevention of colds and flu.

They have almost no contraindications and “side effects”, but sometimes there are difficulties with their use. If you overdo it with washing, you can bring the solution into the middle ear and provoke otitis media.

Advantages:

• natural composition;
• almost no side effects and contraindications;
• allowed for children;
• are available without a prescription;
• can be used to prevent the common cold.

Disadvantages:

• effect may be delayed;
• there is a risk of rinsing the nose incorrectly and aggravating the condition.

2. Vasoconstrictors for the common cold

These are probably the most popular drugs for the common cold. This includes drugs such as Snoop, Xilen, Otrivin, Naphthyzin, Xymelin, Tizin and others.

All of them work according to the same principle – they constrict the vessels of the nasal mucosa, the blood flow decreases, and with it the edema also subsides. After taking a vasoconstrictor, the ability to breathe instantly returns to a person for 4-6 hours. But such drugs will not eliminate the cause of the common cold, their role is only to dull the symptoms of the disease.

There is another catch. Most of these funds should not be taken more often than prescribed in the instructions, and the course should not exceed 3-7 days. If you overdo it with vasoconstrictors, the opposite effect may develop, drug rhinitis is a constant nasal congestion, and you will become dependent on these drugs.

Advantages:

• the effect comes soon after use and lasts for several hours;
• can be taken by children;
• are available without a prescription.

Disadvantages:

• limited in number of uses;
• may cause rhinitis medicamentosa and addiction;
• does not eliminate the cause of the common cold.

3. Combined drugs

This includes drugs such as Sinupret, Polydex, Sanorin-Analergin, Vibrocil and others. Such drugs work in several directions at once, for example, they relieve swelling, improve the outflow of nasal mucus, and eliminate the manifestations of allergies.

In the composition of the combined remedies for the common cold, vasoconstrictor components can coexist with antiallergic, antibiotics – with hormonal agents.

These drugs are prescribed under strict supervision by the attending physician. Self-medication with such drugs is not recommended.

Advantages:

• act in several directions at once;
• may be used by children.

Drawbacks:

• have a number of side effects and contraindications;
• may be incompatible with other drugs.

4.

Hormonal remedies for the common cold

In the list of the best remedies for the common cold, one cannot fail to mention hormonal drugs. Among them are Nasonex, Avamys and others.

You cannot buy these products at the pharmacy without a prescription. They are designed to fight severe forms of the common cold, most often hormonal drugs are prescribed for various forms of allergic rhinitis, as well as for acute and chronic sinusitis.

These drugs have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect, as well as relieve swelling.

Unlike vasoconstrictors, hormonal drugs do not cause dependence, but they have a rather extensive list of side effects. Here and nosebleeds, and irritation of the nasopharyngeal mucosa, and headache, and problems with taste and smell, even bronchospasm. They should be used strictly under the supervision of the attending physician!

Advantages:

• relieve swelling of the nasal mucosa;
• are not addictive;
• may be used by children.

Disadvantages:

• many side effects and limitations;
• is not compatible with all drugs;
• are available by prescription.

5. Antibiotic sprays

If at the doctor’s appointment it turns out that a bacterial infection caused a runny nose, and not a virus or an allergy, then you may be prescribed antibiotics – Isofra or Polydex with phenylephrine. Like hormonal drugs, these drugs will not be sold to you without a prescription – self-medication with antibiotics is dangerous. They will cope with their task – the fight against a bacterial infection (although they will have to be combined with taking pills), but if the runny nose is of an allergic or viral nature, there will be no sense.

The best antibiotics for a runny nose should contain additional vasoconstrictor or hormonal components, only then they will relieve swelling and make breathing easier. Otherwise, you will have to sniff until the cause of the cold is eliminated.

Advantages:

• eliminate the cause of the common cold if it is bacteria;
• may relieve swelling;
• are allowed for children over 2.5 years old.

Cons:

• are useless against colds caused by viruses;
• should not be used by pregnant or lactating women;
• are available by prescription only;
• may cause the development of drug-resistant bacteria.

How to choose an effective remedy for a cold

Entering a pharmacy, sometimes you feel confused: there are so many medicines on the shelves, but it is not clear how to choose an effective one. To spend money wisely and for health benefits, you need to remember a few tips.

1. The most sensible solution for any symptoms of a cold is to go to the doctor and find out where the runny nose came from and how to treat it: whether it is viral or bacterial, whether it is allergic or drug-induced rhinitis. So you save money by not buying funds at random, and you will not make complications.
2. If you have a favorite drug that you trust, do not be lazy to periodically read its instructions. Sometimes the dosage of the funds changes and, using them from old memory, you may not get the desired effect.
3. If a child sniffles, it is especially important to choose a drug that is legal for that age. Many medicines are available for children from 3 years of age, but for those who are younger, the list is rather limited. As a rule, younger children are more likely to recommend drugs in the form of drops, rather than sprays.
4. Do not be lazy to read the composition. First, it makes it clear whether the medicine is suitable for your type of cold. After all, drops with antibiotics and remedies for allergic rhinitis are not the same thing. Secondly, the composition may contain components to which you are allergic. This is especially true for products with essential oils and other natural ingredients.
5. Make sure you buy the correct dosage form. Sprays, drops, tablets, rinsing solutions – there are many options. If the spray can be used anywhere, then the solution for rinsing the nose at the cinema or at a meeting is not available. In addition, some children are reluctant to rinse their nose, perhaps drops or sprays in this case will be the best choice.
6. Many cold remedies work better if you rinse your nose first. Doctors advise doing this with a saline solution. It will mechanically wash away the mucus and help relieve swelling.

Photo: Pixabay

Expert Tip

“If you have a stuffy nose, before you run to the pharmacy, you can try to solve the problem with home remedies, for example, make a saline solution and rinse your nose with it. You will need a glass of warm water (approximately 36.6 °, you need to focus on body temperature). Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to it and taste the liquid, it should be slightly salty,” explains general practitioner Alena Smirnova .

“While flushing, there is a risk that the solution will get into the Eustachian tube. This happens in the following cases:

• with a sharp pressure on the vial;
• when trying to wash out the nose when it is very stuffed up;
• with an existing perforation of the eardrum.

Therefore, it is very important to slowly squeeze the bottle, smoothly adjusting the rate of delivery of the solution into the nasal cavity, and also to observe the correct inclination of the body and head – forward by 90 degrees. In this position, the solution cannot enter the middle ear cavity. Before starting the procedure, do not forget to open your mouth – you need to breathe through it. When you finish flushing through one nostril, gently blow your nose.

But you don’t need to warm up your nose with steam! Firstly, the risk of burning the mucous membrane is greater than the benefit. Secondly, if pus has accumulated in the sinuses, then warming up can only aggravate the situation. Herbal preparations are generally an increased risk of allergic reactions. You definitely don’t need to worry about it.

By the way, you should not get carried away with vasoconstrictor drugs. They are best used in case of emergency, when nasal congestion is so severe that it leads to additional complaints: headache, ear congestion, sleep disturbance, and others. Duration of application is no more than 3-5 days.

The longer you use, the more you need drugs, as the vessels become insensitive to the initial dosage and more and more drops are needed to achieve the effect. As a result, drug addiction occurs, which is then difficult to get rid of, ”the doctor recalls.

Popular questions and answers

otorhinolaryngologist Boris Brokhovetsky answered our popular questions about remedies for the common cold.

What are the most effective cold remedies?

There is no such thing as “the most effective”. They can be used for different purposes, their effectiveness and need for a particular pathology should be evaluated by the doctor. Therefore, it is better to make an appointment with a specialist, find out the exact diagnosis and choose the right treatment.

When will nasal drops be contraindicated?

All nasal drops have their own contraindications that your doctor should tell you about. As a rule, contraindications for most nasal drops and sprays are pregnancy, serious cardiovascular problems, and atrophic forms of rhinitis.

Is it possible to treat a runny nose with folk remedies?

Of course, folk remedies can be used in the treatment of the common cold. But, like pharmaceuticals, folk remedies also have their own strict contraindications, and very often, not knowing about their consequences, patients are faced with the ineffectiveness of the procedures performed or even worsening of symptoms. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to seek the advice of a specialist.

Is it possible to overdose with drops?

Of course, like most medicines, the effects are different. Most often, people who use vasoconstrictor drops are exposed to an overdose. The feeling of instant “healing” of nasal breathing leads to their uncontrolled and prolonged use, which flows into drug-induced rhinitis, nosebleeds, atrophic rhinitis.

How to choose the best remedy for allergies – an article on the site Aptechestvo, Nizhny Novgorod

Allergy is a protective reaction of the immune system, aimed at combating substances foreign to the body. Symptoms of the disease are manifested due to the erroneous perception of a harmless foreign material as dangerous to the body. To get rid of such a reaction, you need to know what is best to take from allergies.

Allergy symptoms

The protective reaction of the body can cause severe discomfort or be dangerous to human life and health. The main symptoms of allergies include:

• sneezing, watery eyes, runny sinus discharge;

• dry cough, breathing becomes difficult and intermittent;

• shortness of breath caused by swelling of the respiratory system;

• rashes and redness on the skin, itching.

The best drug for allergies can block the effects of foreign bodies on the human body.

Classification of preparations

Allergy medicines are divided into 3 large groups. Classification is carried out according to the method of exposure:

• Antihistamines – block the formation of histamine in the human body. They are considered the best allergy medicine, as they act on the cause of the reaction, and do not eliminate the symptoms.

• Steroids – reduce the inflammatory process, are prescribed when the disease affects the human respiratory system.

• Decongestants – reduce swelling in the sinuses, are used as additional treatments aimed at relieving symptoms.

1st generation drugs

The main active substance penetrates directly into the nervous system, which allows you to quickly stop the symptoms of the disease.

Pros:

Flaws:

• with prolonged use, they are addictive, therefore they are suitable only for a one-time removal of symptoms.

• cause an adverse reaction in the form of drowsiness, lethargy, headache.

The best 1st generation allergy pills:

• Diphenhydramine – used to provide quick relief during an attack, not suitable for children;

• Suprastin – in comparison with other drugs of the group, it has the least number of adverse reactions;

• Tavegil – the time of action of the active substance is 8 hours, which is much longer than other tablets belonging to the 1st generation.

Medicines of the 1st generation quickly act on the focus of the disease and help relieve allergy symptoms in the shortest possible time.

Second generation drugs

Antihistamines belonging to the 2nd generation are devoid of the shortcomings of the previous version of the drugs.

Pros:

• restore the immune system, can be used for a single dose or course therapy, are not addictive;

• do not cause adverse reactions of the body, characteristic of the 1st generation of drugs;

• block allergy symptoms for 24 hours.

Flaws:

When answering the question which allergy pills are better, it is worth considering the following 2nd generation drugs:

• Fenistil – available in the form of drops or gel, which allows you to take the drug orally or use it for local exposure;

• Claritin is a safe drug with a mild effect on the body. Suitable for children from 3 years old, adults and the elderly. Does not cause impaired concentration, drowsiness;

• Histalong – has a long-term effect, suitable for course treatment of the chronic form of the disease.

Medicines of the second group are an improved analogue of the first anti-allergy drugs.

3rd generation drugs

Officially, 3 generations of antihistamines do not exist. However, modern drugs of the second group are considered the best remedies for allergies today.

Pros:

• allowed for children, the elderly. Do not affect the cardiovascular system;

• have the least number of adverse reactions, are compatible with driving cars;

• the action occurs 2 hours after ingestion, lasts up to 48 hours.

Minuses:

Medicines of the 3rd generation:

• Zodak – the best drops for allergies, which quickly eliminate symptoms and act for 2 days. Also available in tablet form;

• Cetrin – effectively relieves swelling and other symptoms of the disease;

• Erius – the effect of the drug begins within a few minutes after ingestion, which allows you to quickly remove an allergic reaction.

It is impossible to single out the best allergy pills unambiguously. Each generation of drugs is used for different purposes. For course administration and elimination of symptoms, it is recommended to choose the latest generation of drugs. You can choose effective tablets or drops in consultation with your doctor.