How can ibuprofen help with cold symptoms. What are the most effective treatments for a stuffy nose, cough, and sore throat. Is it safe to use decongestant nasal sprays for common colds. Do vitamin supplements really help in preventing or treating colds.

Understanding the Common Cold: Causes and Prevalence

The common cold is a widespread viral infection that affects millions of people worldwide each year. Adults typically experience 2 to 4 colds annually, while children may have up to 6 to 8 colds per year. The high prevalence of colds is due to the vast number of viruses capable of causing this illness, with over 200 different types identified.

Do colds require medical treatment? Generally, colds resolve on their own within one to two weeks without specific medication. However, the symptoms can be uncomfortable and disruptive to daily life, prompting many to seek relief through various treatments.

Key Facts About Common Colds

• Caused by various viruses, primarily rhinoviruses
• Highly contagious and spread through respiratory droplets
• Symptoms typically include runny nose, congestion, cough, and sore throat
• Duration usually ranges from 7 to 14 days
• No cure exists, but symptoms can be managed

The Role of Ibuprofen in Cold Symptom Relief

Ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is often recommended for managing cold symptoms. How does ibuprofen help with colds? While it cannot cure the viral infection, ibuprofen can alleviate several uncomfortable symptoms associated with colds.

Benefits of Ibuprofen for Cold Symptoms

• Reduces fever
• Relieves headaches and body aches
• Eases sore throat pain
• Helps with sinus pressure and discomfort

Can ibuprofen be used for all cold sufferers? While generally safe for most adults, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before using ibuprofen, especially for children, pregnant women, or individuals with certain medical conditions. Always follow the recommended dosage instructions on the label.

Comparing Ibuprofen to Other Pain Relievers for Colds

When it comes to managing cold symptoms, several over-the-counter pain relievers are available. How do they compare to ibuprofen? Let’s examine the most common options:

Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)

Acetaminophen is often the first choice for children due to its better tolerability. It effectively reduces fever and relieves pain but lacks the anti-inflammatory properties of ibuprofen.

Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid)

Aspirin can help with pain and fever reduction in adults. However, it’s not recommended for children or teenagers due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition.

Which pain reliever is most effective for colds? The choice often depends on individual factors and specific symptoms. Ibuprofen’s anti-inflammatory properties may provide additional relief for some cold sufferers, particularly those with sinus pressure or body aches.

Nasal Sprays and Decongestants: Pros and Cons

Decongestant nasal sprays can provide quick relief from nasal congestion, a common and bothersome cold symptom. How do these sprays work? They constrict blood vessels in the nasal passages, reducing swelling and mucus production.

Benefits of Nasal Decongestants

• Rapid relief from nasal congestion
• Improved breathing
• Reduced sinus pressure

Potential Risks and Side Effects

• Rebound congestion with prolonged use (over 3-5 days)
• Dry or irritated nasal passages
• Increased heart rate or blood pressure in some users

Are nasal sprays safe for long-term use during a cold? It’s generally recommended to limit the use of decongestant nasal sprays to no more than 3-5 days to avoid rebound congestion. For longer-term relief, consider saline nasal sprays or other non-medicated options.

The Truth About Vitamin Supplements and Cold Prevention

Many people turn to vitamin supplements, particularly Vitamin C and D, in hopes of preventing or treating colds. But do these supplements actually work? The scientific evidence is mixed and often inconclusive.

Vitamin C and Colds

Despite popular belief, research shows that Vitamin C supplementation does not significantly reduce the risk of catching a cold for most people. However, it may slightly shorten the duration of cold symptoms in some cases.

Vitamin D and Immune Function

Some studies suggest that Vitamin D supplementation may help prevent respiratory infections, including colds, particularly in people with low Vitamin D levels. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.

Should you take vitamin supplements for cold prevention? While maintaining adequate vitamin levels is important for overall health, there’s limited evidence to support taking extra vitamins specifically to prevent or treat colds. A balanced diet is usually sufficient for most people.

Natural Remedies: Herbal Products and Honey for Cold Relief

Many people seek natural remedies to alleviate cold symptoms. While scientific evidence is often limited, some herbal products and honey have shown potential benefits.

Promising Herbal Remedies

• Echinacea: May boost immune function
• Elderberry: Potential antiviral properties
• Zinc: May reduce cold duration if taken early
• Eucalyptus: Can help relieve congestion

Honey for Cough Relief

Honey has been shown to be effective in reducing cough frequency and severity, particularly in children. It can be consumed on its own or mixed with warm water or tea.

Are natural remedies as effective as conventional medications? While some natural remedies show promise, their effectiveness can vary widely. It’s important to approach these options with realistic expectations and consult with a healthcare provider, especially when using them alongside other treatments.

Home Remedies and Lifestyle Adjustments for Cold Management

In addition to over-the-counter medications and supplements, several home remedies and lifestyle adjustments can help manage cold symptoms and promote recovery.

Effective Home Remedies

• Steam inhalation: Can provide temporary relief from congestion
• Saline nasal irrigation: Helps clear nasal passages
• Warm compresses: Can alleviate sinus pressure and headaches
• Gargling with salt water: May soothe a sore throat

Lifestyle Adjustments for Cold Recovery

1. Get plenty of rest to support immune function
2. Stay hydrated with water, herbal teas, or clear broths
3. Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air
4. Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke
5. Eat nutritious foods rich in vitamins and minerals

How effective are these home remedies compared to medications? While they may not provide the same immediate relief as some medications, these remedies can complement other treatments and support the body’s natural healing processes. Many people find them soothing and helpful in managing symptoms.

When to Seek Medical Attention for a Cold

While most colds resolve on their own, certain situations may warrant medical attention. It’s important to recognize when symptoms could indicate a more serious condition or complication.

Signs That May Require Medical Evaluation

• Fever above 101.3°F (38.5°C) lasting more than three days
• Severe sore throat or swollen glands
• Difficulty breathing or chest pain
• Persistent, severe headache
• Symptoms lasting more than 10 days without improvement
• Worsening symptoms after initial improvement

Should you take antibiotics for a cold? Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections like the common cold. They should only be used if a bacterial infection develops as a complication, such as sinusitis or pneumonia, and only under the guidance of a healthcare provider.

Special Considerations for High-Risk Groups

Certain individuals may need to seek medical attention sooner or take extra precautions when dealing with a cold:

• Young children and infants
• Older adults (65 years and older)
• Pregnant women
• People with weakened immune systems
• Individuals with chronic medical conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes, heart disease)

When in doubt about the severity of your symptoms or if you belong to a high-risk group, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment recommendations.

Prevention Strategies: Reducing Your Risk of Catching a Cold

While it’s not always possible to avoid catching a cold, several preventive measures can significantly reduce your risk of infection and help maintain overall health.

Effective Cold Prevention Techniques

1. Practice good hand hygiene: Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
2. Avoid touching your face, especially your nose, mouth, and eyes
3. Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Get regular exercise, adequate sleep, and eat a balanced diet
4. Boost your immune system: Consider foods rich in vitamins C and D, zinc, and probiotics
5. Avoid close contact with people who have colds
6. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
7. Use disposable tissues and dispose of them properly
8. Consider wearing a mask in crowded places during cold and flu season

Can you build immunity to colds? While you can’t become completely immune to all cold viruses, exposure to various strains over time may help your immune system respond more effectively to future infections. However, the best approach is still prevention and maintaining overall health.

The Role of Stress Management in Cold Prevention

Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making you more susceptible to colds and other infections. Implementing stress-reduction techniques can be an important part of your cold prevention strategy:

• Practice mindfulness or meditation
• Engage in regular physical activity
• Maintain social connections and support systems
• Prioritize work-life balance
• Consider relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or yoga

By incorporating these prevention strategies into your daily routine, you can significantly reduce your chances of catching a cold and maintain better overall health throughout the year.

Common colds: Relief for a stuffy nose, cough and sore throat – InformedHealth.org

There are no treatments that fight cold viruses directly. But nasal sprays and painkillers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen (paracetamol) can provide some relief from cold symptoms. Many other treatments have either not been studied well enough or have no proven benefit.

Colds are very common: On average, adults come down with a cold 2 to 4 times a year, and children have as many as 6 to 8 colds a year. The reason that colds are so common is that they can be caused by very many different kinds of viruses. So having had one virus doesn’t make you immune to other cold viruses.

Colds usually go away on their own after about one to two weeks. Although the symptoms – such as a runny or stuffy nose, cough and headache – can be bothersome, you don’t need to take medication. None of the currently available treatments can shorten the length of a cold. Antibiotics only fight bacteria so they don’t help in the treatment of simple common colds that are caused by viruses. They can have side effects too, so they should only be used if a bacterial infection develops as a complication of the cold.

Painkillers

Painkillers like acetylsalicylic acid (ASA – the drug in medicines such as Aspirin), ibuprofen and acetaminophen (paracetamol) can relieve cold-related symptoms such as headache, earache and joint pain. These painkillers can also lower a fever. They don’t help to relieve a cough or stuffy nose.

Acetaminophen is the painkiller of choice for children in particular because it is tolerated better than painkillers like ASA and ibuprofen. ASA shouldn’t be used in children and teenagers who have a fever anyway. This is because it can cause a rare but dangerous side effect (Reye’s syndrome).

Nasal sprays

Decongestant nasal sprays or drops can help relieve a runny or stuffy nose and make it easier to breathe. But it’s not advisable to use these sprays or drops for longer than a week at a time because then they could have the opposite effect, known as rebound congestion (a permanently stuffy nose). When that happens, just a few hours after using the medication the membranes lining the nose swell up again. The more often the medication is used, the stronger this effect is.

There are various types of decongestants with different active ingredients. They may cause side effects such as a dry nose, allergic reactions or headaches.

Vitamin supplements

Vitamin C and D are essential for good health. Most people tend to get enough vitamin C in their usual diet. And enough vitamin D is produced by the body itself using sunlight.

But there are still commercials promoting the additional use of vitamin C and vitamin D products. Studies have shown that taking extra vitamin C does not protect you from getting a cold, though.

Vitamin C products can only make the symptoms of the cold go away a little faster. But they don’t have this effect if you only take the vitamin C once the cold has already started.

Things are similar with vitamin D. Products that contain vitamin D probably only prevent colds if you have a vitamin D deficiency.

Herbal products and honey

A number of herbal products are claimed to help relieve cold symptoms. But there’s a lack of reliable studies on the benefits of these products. Some studies have shown that certain extracts of ivy, eucalyptus, primrose, pelargonium (umckaloabo) and thyme can at best slightly relieve a cough.

The situation with honey is similar: Honey can probably relieve the symptoms of a cough somewhat in children if they take it either pure or dissolved in water in the evening before going to bed (and before brushing their teeth).

Products made from echinacea extracts are also commonly recommended for the treatment of colds. They are claimed to strengthen the body’s immune system. But the research on these products has not led to clear conclusions.

Inhaling steam and drinking a lot of fluids

Many people find it pleasant to breathe in (inhale) steam with or without adding things like chamomile or peppermint oil, because the warmth and moisture can have a short-term soothing effect on the mucous membranes lining the nose. But this kind of inhalation doesn’t have a clear effect on cold symptoms.

Drinking a lot of fluids is also often recommended if you have a cold. There’s no scientific proof that this will help, though, so there’s no need to force yourself to drink more fluids than you feel like drinking when you have a cold. Still, people often find that hot tea or warm milk have a soothing and warming effect.

Antibiotics

Many people think that antibiotics will help to fight any kind of infection. But antibiotics are actually only effective against bacterial infections. They don’t fight viruses so they can’t help in the treatment of colds.

Studies confirm that antibiotics can’t shorten the length of time someone is ill with a simple cold. And antibiotics often have side effects: About 1 out of 10 people have side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headaches and skin rashes. In women, antibiotics can upset the balance of things in the vagina and increase the risk of thrush.

Things are different if, as a result of a cold, bacteria spread within the airways or to the middle ear and cause an infection there. Then treatment with antibiotics may be considered.

The following symptoms may be signs of a bacterial infection, especially if they occur together with a fever:

• Green nasal mucus (snot) or green sputum (coughed-up phlegm) lasting several days

• Persistent severe sore throat and pus on tonsils

• Stuffy nose that won’t go away, and severe headache around the forehead

• Severe earache and poor hearing

• Chest pain and trouble breathing

You should see a doctor if you have these kinds of symptoms. If you have a mild bacterial infection, your doctor can also write a prescription for antibiotics in case your symptoms don’t improve over the next few days. Then you can keep the prescription on hand and see if the symptoms go away on their own.

Sources

• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Allgemeinmedizin und Familienmedizin (DEGAM). Akuter Husten. DEGAM-Leitlinie Nr. 11. AWMF-Registernr.: 053-013. February 2014.

• IQWiG health information is written with the aim of helping
  people understand the advantages and disadvantages of the main treatment options and health
  care services.

  Because IQWiG is a German institute, some of the information provided here is specific to the
  German health care system. The suitability of any of the described options in an individual
  case can be determined by talking to a doctor. We do not offer individual consultations.

  Our information is based on the results of good-quality studies. It is written by a
  team of
  health care professionals, scientists and editors, and reviewed by external experts. You can
  find a detailed description of how our health information is produced and updated in
  our methods.

Ibuprofen not as good at treating colds and sore throats

A study carried out by the University of Southampton showed that compared with paracetamol, ibuprofen or a combination of both ibuprofen and paracetamol provide no advantage for patients overall with respiratory tract infections (otherwise known as colds or sore throats).

Additionally steam inhalation, another common treatment method, has no clear benefit and around 2 per cent of people get mild scalding but not bad enough to see a doctor.

Professor Paul Little, who led the study, comments: “Paracetamol, ibuprofen or a combination of both are the most common courses of treatment for respiratory tract infections. Clinicians should probably not advise patients to use steam inhalation in daily practice as it does not provide symptomatic benefit for acute respiratory infections and a few individuals are likely to experience mild thermal injury. Similarly, routinely advising ibuprofen or ibuprofen and paracetamol together than just paracetamol is also not likely to be effective. However our research has shown that ibuprofen is likely to help children, and those with chest infections.”

The research also showed that patients were more likely to come back within a month with worsening symptoms or new symptoms if they were prescribed with ibuprofen or ibuprofen with paracetamol. Between 50 per cent and 70 per cent more of participants in the study who were prescribed ibuprofen or ibuprofen with paracetamol came back.

Professor Little admitted this was a surprising result and suggests the treatment may contribute to the progression of the illness. He adds: “This may have something to do with the fact the ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory. It is possible that the drug is interfering with an important part of the immune response and leads to prolonged symptoms or the progression of symptoms in some individuals. Although we have to be a bit cautious since these were surprise findings, for the moment I would personally not advise most patients to use ibuprofen for symptom control for coughs colds and sore throat.”

The randomised control trial recruited 899 patients who presented at their GP with respiratory tract infection symptoms. They received different treatment types; paracetamol, ibuprofen or a combination of both. Participants were then told to either take it as needed or at regular intervals (four times a day) and some were also told to take steam inhalation.

The study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Programme Grants for Applied Research programme.

Cough and cold patients advised not to take Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen has little benefit for treating cold and flu, according to UK researchers who warn it may even prolong symptoms.

They found ibuprofen, or a combination of both ibuprofen and paracetamol, provided no advantage to adult patients with respiratory tract infections, compared with paracetamol alone. Inhaling steam, another common treatment method, also had no clear benefit.

Only in children and those with chest infections was there evidence of reduced symptoms from taking ibuprofen.

Lead study author Paul Little, professor of primary care research at Southampton University, noted that paracetamol, ibuprofen or a combination of the two, were the most common treatments for respiratory tract infections.

But based on the study findings, he said routinely advising ibuprofen or ibuprofen plus paracetamol together, was “not likely to be effective” for colds.

Patients were also more likely to come back within a month with worsening or new symptoms if they were prescribed with ibuprofen or ibuprofen with paracetamol, the study showed.

Around 50-70% of study participants prescribed ibuprofen or ibuprofen with paracetamol returned.

Professor Little admitted it was a “surprising result” and suggested the treatment may contribute to the progression of the illness.

He said: “This may have something to do with the fact the ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory. It is possible that the drug is interfering with an important part of the immune response.

“Although we have to be a bit cautious since these were surprise findings, for the moment I would personally not advise most patients to use ibuprofen for symptom control for coughs colds and sore throat,” he added.

The trial, published online the BMJ, involved 899 patients who presented in primary care with respiratory tract infection symptoms.

They received paracetamol, ibuprofen or a combination of both. Participants were then told to either take it as needed or at regular intervals – four times a day – and some were also told to take steam inhalation.

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The Problem With Taking Ibuprofen for a Cold

Colds can be painful. Headache and body chills are hard to handle for days at a time, and they may have you reaching for a painkiller such as ibuprofen to cope. A recent study looking at the use of common painkillers to deal with colds suggests that they might not be the best idea, according to ‘BMJ’ (formerly the ‘British Medical Journal’). The study found that people who took ibuprofen instead of acetaminophen returned more often to the doctor with new or recurring symptoms. As a result, the lead author said he would not advise taking ibuprofen for the discomfort caused by colds and sore throats.  

In the study, more than 700 patients went to a general practitioner with respiratory infection tract symptoms and were prescribed one of three treatments: ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or a combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Patients who took acetaminophen came back to their doctor with new or recurring symptoms 12 percent of the time, while those who took ibuprofen returned with issues 20 percent of the time. Those who took ibuprofen and acetaminophen together came back with problems 17 percent of the time.

The study’s lead author, Dr. Paul Little, said the increase of return visits by people who took ibuprofen caused him concern. “This may have something to do with the fact that ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory,” Little said, of the University of Southampton. “It is possible that the drug is interfering with an important part of the immune response and leads to prolonged symptoms or the progression of symptoms in some individuals.”

He said he would not prescribe ibuprofen for most cases of sore throat or cold going forward, although other experts note this is a fairly small study that would require follow-up. “The idea that ibuprofen might help prevent recovery is something new, but I’m not sure that the data merits such a strong recommendation,” said Dr. Norman Edelman, the senior medical adviser to the American Lung Association. “I would say it’s an interesting study and I’d like to see more studies like it.”

Nothing cures the common cold, but there are ways to cope with one, like drinking lots of hot liquids, sleeping plenty, and moving around. Always ask a doctor before taking painkillers to deal with symptoms and when you do, take them sparingly, given recent findings that too much acetaminophen has been shown to impact the liver and anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen have their own set of risks when taken in high doses. Besides, said Little: “The body is pretty good at fighting off infection, and we need not to get in its way by the medication we advise.”

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Caring for Your Child’s Cold or Flu

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for the common cold.  Antibiotics may be used to fight bacterial infections, but they have no effect on viruses. 

The best you can do is to make your child comfortable. Make sure your child gets extra rest and drinks water or other liquids.

Your pediatrician may want to see your child or ask you to watch him or her closely and report back if things do not getting better each day or are not all better after one week.  

Ways to help your child’s stuffy nose feel better:

Nose drops or spray 

• Use salt water (saline) nose drops (1 to 2 drops in each opening of the nose (nostril)) or spray (1 to 2 sprays in each opening of the nose (nostril)). For infants, use a rubber suction bulb to suck out the extra drops or spray. When using the suction bulb, remember that before you put the bulb on the nose, you should first squeeze the bulb part of the syringe first. Then gently stick the rubber tip into one nostril, and then slowly let go of the bulb. This slight amount of suction will pull the clogged mucus out of the nose and should help her breathe and suck at the same time once again. You’ll find that this works best when your baby is under 6 months of age. As your baby gets older, he or she will fight the bulb, making it difficult to suck out the mucus, but the saline drops will still help.

Humidifier

• 
  Put a cool-mist humidifier (also called a vaporizer) in your child’s room to help the liquid that is making her nose stuffy thinner, so it is easier for your child to breathe. Put it close to your child (but safely out of your child’s reach) because the humidifier makes the area closest to it the moistest. Be sure to carefully clean and dry the humidifier each day to stop bacteria or mold from growing; bacteria and mold can make your child sick. Hot-water vaporizers should not be used, because the hot water can burn your child.

What to do to for your child’s cough: 

Honey

• 
  Do not give honey to babies under one year—it is not safe.  

• For children ages 1 to 5 years: Try half a teaspoon of honey.

• For children ages 6 to 11: Try one teaspoon of honey.

• For children 12 or older: Try two teaspoons of honey.

• If honey is given at bedtime, make sure your child’s teeth are brushed afterward.

Cough drops or lozenges

• 
  Consider cough drops or lozenges for children 4 and older. Do not give cough drops or lozenges to a child younger than 4 years because he could choke on them. Also, do not give your child more cough drops than what the instructions on the package say.

Mentholated rubs 

• 
  For children ages 2 years and older: Rub a thick layer on top of the skin on the chest and the front of the neck (throat area).

• The body’s warmth helps the medication go into the air slowly over time. The child breathes in this air, which helps to soothe a cough, so the child can sleep.

• After using the medicine, put the medication container away and out of reach of children.

• Only use mentholated rubs on top of the skin.

To help treat your child’s fever: 

Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen

• 
  If your child has a fever and is very uncomfortable, give her a medication with just one ingredient―either
  acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Always call your pediatrician before giving medicine to a child under 2 years of age and call right away if your child is under three months of age and has a fever.

• For children over the age of 2 years, check the label to see how much medicine to give. If you know your child’s weight, use that. If you do not know your child’s weight, go by age for the dose amount. See Fever and Pain Medicine: How Much to Give Your Child for more information.

• 
  Ibuprofen can be used in children 6 months of age and older; however, it should never be given to children who are having a lot of trouble drinking enough liquids (children who are dehydrated) or who are throwing up a lot.

• 
  Do not give your child aspirin, which has been linked with Reye syndrome, a rare but very serious illness that affects the liver and the brain.

• 
  Ask the doctor for the right medicine and dose in milliliters (mL) for your child’s age and size. Always measure each dose using a tool (syringe, dosing cup, or measuring spoon) that is marked in milliliters. Watch the video The Healthy Children Show: Giving Liquid Medicine Safely for more information.

Prevention & Treatment:

Flu vaccine

• 
  Children 6 months or older should get a flu vaccine each year. Children who are older than 6 months but younger than 2 years should get a flu shot.

• Children younger than 6 months are too young to get a flu vaccines. In order to protect them, make sure that the people around them get a flu vaccine. 

Over-the-counter cough & cold medicines:

• 
  Over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines should not be given to infants and children under 4 years of age because of the risk of dangerous side effects. Several studies show that cold and cough products that are taken by mouth don’t work in children younger than 6 years and can have potentially serious side effects.

• Many cold medicines already have acetaminophen (Tylenol or generic) in them. If you give one of these medicines along with acetaminophen or (Tylenol or generic), your child will get a double dose.

If antibiotics are prescribed:

• 
  Make sure children take them exactly as the instructions say, even if they feel better. If antibiotic treatment stops too soon, the infection may get worse or spread in the body. Call the doctor if your child is not getting better with treatment.

• 
  If the antibiotic is a liquid, ask your child’s doctor for the right dosage in milliliters (mL) for your child’s age and size. Always measure each dose using a tool (syringe, cup, or spoon) that is marked in milliliters.

Additional Information:

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

Do Pain Relievers Mix With Cough and Cold Medicines?

You’ve already taken medicine for your stuffy nose, cough, and sneezing. But then, your head begins to ache. Should you reach back into the medicine cabinet for a pain reliever?

In some cases, pain relievers can work side-by-side with cough and cold medicines to ease symptoms like headaches, body aches, and fever. In fact, many popular cold and cough formulas contain ingredients to relieve both pain and other symptoms.

But such combined products pose a serious risk: accidentally overdosing on acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or other pain drugs if you take more than one medication. It’s important to use caution and read labels carefully when taking over-the-counter cough and cold treatments.

Cold medicines can contain a wide range of compounds, from those that calm a cough to those that dry up a runny nose. Each component is listed on the label under “active ingredients.”

Read labels carefully before taking any over-the-counter medicine. Be careful not to take any two that contain the same active ingredient. For example, don’t take Tylenol and a cold medicine that contains acetaminophen, the generic name for the same active ingredient.

In fact, you should not take more than 4000 mg of acetaminophen a day. It sounds like a lot, but that’s only eight “extra strength” acetaminophen tablets. Taking more, especially 7000 mg or more, can cause a severe overdose if not treated. Severe cases can cause liver damage, require a liver transplant, and even contribute to death. So, it’s especially important to avoid taking two products with this common ingredient.

Tylenol is the most common brand name for over-the-counter acetaminophen. Prescription-strength medicines containing acetaminophen include Percocet and Vicodin. On drug labels, look for the words APAP, paracetamol, or acetamin. They’re alternate names for acetaminophen.

Other pain relievers can have side effects, too. For instance, naproxen and ibuprofen, found in such medications as Aleve, Advil, and Motrin, can cause stomach bleeding or kidney damage when taken regularly. Aspirin contributes to a rare but potentially fatal condition called Reye syndrome in children and teenagers, so they should not take any products that contain aspirin, including cough and cold formulas.

Nurofen Cold and Flu (Ibuprofen 200mg and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 30mg) Drug / Medicine Information

Ibuprofen 200mg and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 30mg

Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about NUROFEN^® COLD AND FLU. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take
the place of talking to your pharmacist or doctor.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your pharmacist or doctor has weighed the risks
of you taking NUROFEN^® COLD AND FLU against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine.

You may need to read it again.

What NUROFEN

^® COLD AND FLU is used for

NUROFEN^® COLD AND FLU is used for the fast effective temporary relief of the symptoms of colds
and flu.

NUROFEN^® COLD AND FLU contains the active ingredients ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride.

Ibuprofen is used for the relief of the symptoms of colds and flu, including aches
and pains, headache, fever and sore throat.

It belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Pseudoephedrine is used for the relief of the congestion associated with colds and
flu including runny nose, blocked nose and sinuses.

It belongs to a group of medicines called sympathomimetic decongestants and works
by reducing congestion in the upper respiratory tract, making it easier to breathe.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions about this medicine.

Your pharmacist or doctor may have given it for another reason.

This medicine is not addictive.

It is only available from your pharmacist.

NUROFEN COLD AND FLU is only available from your pharmacist.

Before you take/give NUROFEN

^® COLD AND FLU

When you must not take it

Do not take this medicine if you have an allergy to:

any medicine containing pseudoephedrine, ibuprofen, aspirin or other NSAIDs

any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:

shortness of breath

wheezing or difficulty breathing

swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body

rash, itching or hives on the skin

Do not take this medicine if you have any of the following conditions:

liver or kidney disease

heart problems

asthma

a stomach or duodenal ulcer or if you have had either of these conditions or gastric
bleeding or other gastrointestinal diseases in the past

recently vomited blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

recently bled from the back passage (rectum), had black sticky bowel motions or bloody
diarrhoea

high blood pressure

taken Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, medicines used to treat depression, in the last
14 days

taken other NSAIDs including cyclo-oxygenase-2-specific inhibitors

Some of the symptoms of liver problems may include:

nausea

feeling tired

itching of the skin,

yellow colouring of your skin

flu-like symptoms

tenderness in your abdomen

If you develop any of these symptoms or heart problems, talk to your doctor.

Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging
is torn or shows signs of tampering.

If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.

If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your pharmacist
or doctor.

Before you start to take it

Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods,
preservatives or dyes.

Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical
conditions:

asthma

stomach or duodenal ulcer

signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, such as vomiting blood or bleeding from the back
passage (rectum)

liver or kidney disease

high blood pressure

overactive thyroid gland

diabetes

heart disease and poor blood flow in the blood vessels of the heart

glaucoma (high pressure in the eyes)

prostate problems

Taking this medicine may increase the risk of you getting stomach, heart or kidney
problems.

Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor about taking this medicine if you are breastfeeding.

Pseudoephedrine and small amounts of ibuprofen may pass into the breast milk. Your
pharmacist or doctor will discuss the potential benefits and risks of taking this
medicine if you are breastfeeding.

If you have not told your pharmacist or doctor about any of the above, tell him/her
before you start taking NUROFEN^® COLD AND FLU.

Taking other medicines

Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any
that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food
shop.

Some medicines and NUROFEN^® COLD AND FLU may interfere with each other. These include:

warfarin, a medicine used to prevent blood clots

diuretics – medicines used to help reduce the amount of excess fluid in the body by
increasing the amount of urine produced.

lithium and other medicines used to treat mood swings and other types of depression

medicines used to treat behavioural disorders

medicines used to lower blood pressure

methotrexate, a medicine used to treat arthritis and some types of cancer

medicines used to treat heart failure and other heart conditions

medicines such as cyclosporin, quinolone, prednisone, prednisolone, mifepristone,
tacrolimus and cortisone, which reduce the activity of your immune system

zidovudine, a medicine used to treat HIV infection

medicines used to treat urinary tract infections and bladder problems

aspirin, salicylates and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

medicines used to treat diabetes

phenylephrine, a medicine used to treat congestion

amphetamine-like psycho-stimulants

appetite suppressants

These medicines may be affected by NUROFEN^® COLD AND FLU or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your
medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.

Your pharmacist and doctor will have more information on these and other medicines
to be careful with or avoid while taking this medicine.

How to take NUROFEN

^® COLD AND FLU

Follow all directions given to you by your pharmacist or doctor carefully.

They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

If you do not understand the instructions on the box, ask your pharmacist or doctor
for help.

How much to take and when

Adults and children from 12 years : 2 tablets, then 1 or 2 tablets every 4 hours as
necessary (maximum 6 tablets in 24 hours).

Do not take more than the recommended dose.

How to take it

Take NUROFEN^® COLD AND FLU by mouth with water.

How long to take it

Do not take for more than 3 days at a time except with your doctor’s advice.

If you forget to take it

If it is less than 4 hours before your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take
your next dose when you are meant to.

Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking it as you would
normally.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.

This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.

If you are not sure what to do, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some
hints.

If you take too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13
11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you
think that you or anyone else may have taken too much NUROFEN^® COLD AND FLU. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

While you are using NUROFEN

^® COLD AND FLU

Things you must do

Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

Your pharmacist or doctor will assess your condition and decide if you should continue
to take the medicine.

Things you must not do

Do not take NUROFEN^® COLD AND FLU to treat any other complaints unless your pharmacist or doctor tells
you to.

Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as
you.

Do not take more than the recommended dose unless your pharmacist or doctor tells
you to.

Things to be careful of

If you are over 65 years of age, talk to your pharmacist or doctor about taking this
medicine.

Taking this medicine may increase the risk of you getting unwanted effects, such as
stomach or heart problems.

Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how NUROFEN^® COLD AND FLU affects you.

This medicine may cause dizziness in some people. If this happens, do not drive or
operate machinery.

Side effects

Tell your pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you
are taking NUROFEN^® COLD AND FLU.

This medicine helps most people with the relief of symptoms of colds and flu, but
it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects.
Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention
if you get some of the side effects.

Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any
of them.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor to answer any questions you may have.

It is rare to get side effects from ibuprofen if taken for a short period of time
and in the doses in non-prescription medicines.

Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

buzzing or ringing in the ears

change in mood, for example, depression, restlessness, irritability

sore or dry mouth or tongue

nausea, heartburn, or stomach pain

loss of appetite

diarrhoea

dizziness

drowsiness

headache

nervousness

difficulty sleeping

excitability

restlessness

fear or anxiety

rapid heart beat

tremor

hallucinations

The above list includes the more common side effects of your medicine. They are usually
mild.

Children and people over 65 years of age may have an increased chance of getting side
effects.

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:

severe pain or tenderness in the stomach

eye problems such as blurred vision, sore red eyes, itching

severe dizziness, spinning sensation

severe or persistent headache

tingling or numbness of the hands or feet

fast or irregular heartbeats, also called palpitations

difficulty hearing, deafness

signs of frequent or worrying infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat
or mouth ulcers

bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, reddish or purplish blotches under the
skin

signs of anaemia, such as tiredness, being short of breath, and looking pale

a change in the colour of urine passed, blood in the urine

a change in the amount or frequency of urine passed, burning feeling when passing
urine

yellowing of the skin and eyes, also called jaundice

unusual weight gain, swelling of ankles or legs

symptoms of sunburn (such as redness, itching, swelling, blistering) which may occur
more quickly than normal

The above list includes serious side effects that may require medical attention. Serious
side effects are rare for low doses of this medicine and when used for a short period
of time.

If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and
Emergency at your nearest hospital:

fainting, seizures or fits

pain or tightness in the chest

fluid or urine retention

vomiting blood or bleeding from the back passage

shortness of breath

asthma, wheezing or difficulty breathing

swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body

rash, itching or hives on the skin

The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention
or hospitalisation. These side effects are very rare for low doses of this medicine
and when used for a short period of time.

Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.

After using NUROFEN

^® COLD AND FLU

Storage

Keep this medicine in the original pack until it is time to take it.

Keep your medicine in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.

Do not store NUROFEN^® COLD AND FLU or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it
on a window sill or in the car.

Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep it where children cannot reach it.

A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place
to store medicines.

Disposal

Ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over, or if the expiry
date has passed.

Product description

What it looks like

Yellow round tablet with a black logo picturing a letter “N” in a letter “C”.

Pack of 24 tablets.

Ingredients

Nurofen^® Cold and Flu contains 200 mg of ibuprofen and 30 mg of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
as the active ingredients.

It also contains:

cellulose

microcrystalline,

calcium phosphate,

croscarmellose sodium,

hypromellose,

magnesium stearate,

mastercoat yellow FA 0156 or opaspray Yellow MI-IF-6168,

povidone,

talc-purified and

opacode monogramming ink S-1-277001 BLACK’

This medicine does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, wheat or preservatives.

Supplied by

Reckitt Benckiser

44 Wharf Road

West Ryde NSW 2114

Australia

® = Registered Trademark

This leaflet was prepared in August 2016

(PI approved by TGA 24 August 1998)

AUST R 65640

Preparations and medicines with active substance Ibuprofen

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Indications for use

For oral administration: inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system, incl.including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, articular syndrome with exacerbation of gout, ankylosing spondylitis (ankylosing spondylitis), spondylosis, Barre-Lieu syndrome (cervical migraine, vertebral artery syndrome). Pain syndrome, incl. lumbodynia, sciatica, thoracic radicular syndrome, myalgia, neuralgic amyotrophy, neuralgia, arthralgia, ossalgia, bursitis, tendonitis, tendovaginitis, sprain of the ligamentous apparatus, hematomas, traumatic inflammation of soft tissues and musculoskeletal system, postoperative pain syndrome, accompanied by headache and toothache, oral surgery.Feverish states of various origins (including after immunization), with influenza and ARVI. As an auxiliary agent: infectious and inflammatory diseases of ENT organs (tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, rhinitis), bronchitis, pneumonia, inflammatory processes in the small pelvis, adnexitis, algomenorrhea, panniculitis, nephrotic syndrome (to reduce the severity of proteinuria). external use: inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system: arthritis (rheumatoid, psoriatic), articular syndrome in rheumatism and exacerbation of gout, periarthritis of the shoulder scapula, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis deformans, osteochondrosis with radicular syndrome, radicular syndrome, radicularitis, , sciatica.muscle pain, injuries without compromising the integrity of soft tissues (including dislocation, stretching or rupture of muscles and ligaments, contusion, post-traumatic edema of soft tissues) For intravenous administration (only in newborns): treatment of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus in premature newborns with gestational age less than 34 weeks For rectal use (children from 3 months to 2 years): as an antipyretic agent – acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, other infectious and inflammatory diseases, accompanied by an increase in body temperature.post-vaccination reactions. As a pain reliever – pain syndrome of mild to moderate intensity (including headache and toothache, migraine, neuralgia, pain in the ears and throat, pain with sprains).

Pharmacological action

anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic Non-selectively inhibits COX-1 and COX-2, reduces the synthesis of PG. The anti-inflammatory effect is associated with a decrease in vascular permeability, an improvement in microcirculation, a decrease in the release of inflammatory mediators (PG, kinins, LT) from cells and a suppression of the energy supply of the inflammatory process.The analgesic effect is due to a decrease in the intensity of inflammation, a decrease in the production of bradykinin and its algogenicity. In rheumatoid arthritis, it mainly affects the exudative and partly the proliferative components of the inflammatory response, has a rapid and pronounced analgesic effect, reduces swelling, morning stiffness and limited mobility in the joints. A decrease in the excitability of the heat-regulating centers of the diencephalon results in antipyretic action.The severity of the antipyretic effect depends on the initial body temperature and dose. With a single dose, the effect lasts up to 8 hours. In primary dysmenorrhea, it reduces intrauterine pressure and frequency of uterine contractions. Reversibly inhibits platelet aggregation. Since PGs delay closure of the ductus arteriosus after birth, suppression of COX is believed to be the main mechanism of action of ibuprofen when administered intravenously in newborns with patent ductus arteriosus. When taken orally, it is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.Cmax is created within 1 hour, when taken after meals – within 1.5-2.5 hours. Plasma protein binding is 90%. It slowly penetrates into the joint cavity, but remains in the synovial tissue, creating higher concentrations in it than in plasma. Biological activity is associated with the S-enantiomer. After absorption, about 60% of the pharmacologically inactive R-form is slowly transformed into the active S-form. Undergoes biotransformation. There are 3 main metabolites excreted by the kidneys. No more than 1% is excreted unchanged in the urine.Has a two-phase kinetics of elimination with T1 / 2 from plasma 2-2.5 hours (for retard forms – up to 12 hours).

Overdose

Symptoms: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, drowsiness, depression, headache, tinnitus, metabolic acidosis, coma, acute renal failure, hypotension, bradycardia, tachycardia, atrial fibrillation and respiratory arrest. Treatment: gastric lavage (only within the first hour after ingestion), activated charcoal (to reduce absorption), alkaline drinking, forced diuresis and symptomatic therapy (correction of acid base balance, blood pressure, gastrointestinal bleeding).

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity. For oral administration: erosive and ulcerative diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the phase of exacerbation (including peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, peptic ulcer), “aspirin” bronchial asthma, urticaria, rhinitis, provoked by the intake of salicylates or other NSAIDs. bleeding disorder (incl.including hemophilia, hypocoagulation, hemorrhagic diathesis), diseases of the optic nerve, scotoma, amblyopia, impaired color vision, asthma, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hemorrhagic diathesis, confirmed hyperkalemia, severe liver failure or active liver disease, severe renal creatinine insufficiency (clearance

Application during pregnancy and lactation

Contraindicated in the III trimester of pregnancy, in the I and II trimester – with caution.During treatment, breastfeeding should be discontinued.

90,000 Virologist named drugs dangerous for coronavirus – RBK

Photo: Global Look Press

With COVID-19, the most dangerous thing is to treat yourself with medications that people are used to taking for other colds.Virologist Nadezhda Zholobak told about this in an interview with the newspaper “Vechernyaya Moskva”.

According to her, you can not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which include ibuprofen, aspirin, voltaren, diclofenac, naproxen.

“The experience of French and Italian researchers shows that these drugs not only do not help, but make the body even more susceptible to the virus,” Zholobak explained.

Virologist called the timing of the creation of an effective drug for coronavirus

The doctor noted that aspirin creates conditions for the penetration of coronavirus into the lungs, which accelerates the onset of pneumonia and alveolar damage to the lungs.

Maxicold for children – a reliable remedy for fever and pain for children from 3 months

MAXICOLD ^® FOR CHILDREN – a reliable remedy for fever and pain for children from 3 months

Advantages of the drug / molecule

• has a complex therapeutic effect:
  • antipyretic (reduces fever, relieves fever and fever)
  • anesthetic (helps with various types of pain, including pain during teething)
  • anti-inflammatory (reduces swelling and redness)
• antipyretic effect is fast (already from the 15th minute from the moment of administration) and prolonged (up to 8 hours) nature
• persistent and long-term antipyretic effect reduces the frequency of repeated doses of the drug during the day, and also ensures the preservation of its properties throughout the night helping your child to sleep well without fever
• Recommended approved by experts of the World Health Organization (WHO) as an antipyretic agent for fever in children
• included in the “List of vital and essential drugs” in the Russian Federation
• Developed specifically for children – does not contain sugar, alcohol, dyes and other components capable of provoke allergic reactions
• is produced in a profitable volume – it provides savings in terms of a single dose

Advantages of the release form

• Each bottle is equipped with a polyethylene lid with first opening control;
• the convenience of the liquid dosage form and the optimal consistency of the suspension provide parents with a comfortable use of the drug, and children with ease of swallowing;
• Convenience and ease of intake – children’s favorite tastes (orange and strawberry) significantly reduce the risk of negative emotions during treatment and make taking the drug pleasant for babies and easy for parents;
• simple calculation of dosage depending on body weight – a table for selecting the optimal dose and the required volume of suspension depending on the weight of the child is presented on the side surface of the package;
• Convenience and accuracy of dosing – the packaging of the drug is completed with a convenient two-sided measuring spoon, for 2.5 and 5 ml, respectively;
• A large volume of the bottle – 200 g – provides a sufficient volume of the drug for the full course of treatment, and in addition is optimal for families with frequently ill children or families with several children

Indications for use

are used in children with 3- x months of life up to 12 years as:

• antipyretic means for:
  • acute respiratory viral diseases, including influenza
  • acute bacterial infections (tonsillitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia, etc.)
  • childhood infections (measles, scarlet fever, chickenpox, etc.)
  • post-vaccination reactions
  • other infectious and inflammatory diseases accompanied by high fever
• pain relievers at:
  • headache
  • toothache, incl. with teething and / or after tooth extraction
  • migraines
  • neuralgia
  • pain in the ears, including otitis media
  • sore throat
  • pain with sprains
  • other types of pain

The drug is intended for symptomatic therapy reducing pain and inflammation at the time of use; does not affect the progression of the disease.

Other forms of release

Useful information

ARVI treatment

ARVI treatment

ARVI is a combined group of spring-autumn diseases. Synonyms: Acute Respiratory Viral Infection, ARI, colds, “upper respiratory tract infections”, URI / URTI, “common cold”.

ARVI is an acute respiratory tract infection with any of the specially trained viruses. These include: adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, influenza and parainfluenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus.

Don’t even try to think about what kind of virus you get sick. Information about this is important only for epidemiologists and infectious disease specialists, all other mortals should not give a damn what kind of virus they have. For us, this is all called ARVI, or even simpler – “cold”, because there is absolutely no difference in treatment, and the symptoms vary widely in different people and even in one person at different times.

Calm down, drink tea under a blanket and download the series, the viewing of which has been postponed for a long time.

Treatment

We repeat to ourselves like a mantra: “Colds are not treated with pills, but by creating conditions for the body to defeat the infection.” The only medicines you will need are paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your fever. Leave aspirin for old age to prevent stroke, with ARVI it should not be used.

• To knock down or not to knock down the temperature to 38 ° is a rhetorical question, you can focus on your well-being.It is advisable to lower the temperature above 38 °: there are no obligatory reasons for this, but if the fever causes serious discomfort, feel free to knock it down [1]. There is no evidence that temperature reduction with antipyretics interferes with the fight against colds – their use is purely symptomatic [2], [3].

  Combined preparations with paracetamol (Antigrippin, Teraflu, Coldrex, Fervex, etc.) can be used: they are tastier, more convenient and more expensive than RAW tablets with a pure substance. Same efficacy plus symptom relief with phenylephrine and pheniramine / chlorphenamine / diphenhydramine.

• Dress warmly so that you don’t “blow”, but do not overdo it – you should not die from overheating.

• Ventilate the room. It is not necessary to arrange a draft hurricane, but stale air full of microbes is also bad without life-giving oxygen. Ideally, keep an eye on the carbon dioxide meter to see if you need to ventilate the room: you don’t need to cool the room too much and reduce the humidity with dry outdoor air.

• The virus survives best in dry and cold air, while moist and warm air reduces the likelihood of transmission [4], [5]. The temperature in the room should be between 20 ° and 25 ° (warmer than usual), and the humidity should be turned up to> 40% (although more is unlikely to work out in terms of absolute humidity) [6], [7].

• Drink a lot.Tea, compote, fruit drink, decoctions, mineral water – anything, not necessarily boiling water: the liquid should simply not be lower than body temperature. Ideally, you should drink rehydration solutions such as Rehydron. It is disgusting, but better than tea, since electrolytes come out with an increased yield of liquid. It is advisable to replenish them. These findings are based on pathogenesis, but some sources question their effectiveness [8].
• Available on request. Do not choke on food despite your lack of appetite, you already feel so bad! If you have an appetite, then lean on light food, liquid and carbohydrates.Kebab will not work.

• Flush the nozzles with saline solutions. Inconvenient and cheap – saline, convenient and luxury – Dolphin, Aqua Maris and so on. The efficiency is the same [9]. After the mucus is gone, you can spray a vasoconstrictor spray into the dry (!) Nose so that it breathes. Repeat the procedure for no more than a week.

Everything. The most difficult thing about this treatment is to realize that this is the main and only treatment.

A day or two after the acute period, when the temperature will drop, and the sweat and chills will pass, you can go outside to get some fresh air, but away from crowds: shopping centers, metro and work.

Tamiflu

“There is Tamiflu and Relenza. They seem to be effective, everyone is buying them! ” – Only risk groups such as people with diabetes, asthma and dementia should be fed these drugs. No, the temperature of 38 ° for two days in a row, which can be lowered with paracetamol, is not a severe course of the disease. No, “I feel bad, I’m dying!” – this is also normal, especially if you are a fragile girl. In those cases when Tamiflu is needed, doctor should tell you (and not you to him): “My friend, this is a difficult course!”If you uncontrollably eat this medicine “just in case”, then:

• In a year or two it will be absolutely useless. Of course, the fame of the effectiveness of this drug has already been seriously shaken [11], but it is better not to use it.
• You will probably waste money without benefit, since oseltamivir will bring side effects rather than recovery to people who are not weakened by something.

It would be logical to distribute this panacea to hospitals without selling it in pharmacies, but it’s too late (back in 2010, WHO reported samples of the virus resistant to it [12]) and this does not make commercial sense: clever buyers read the Internet and switched from arbidol and oscillococcinum for neuraminidase inhibitors.

It is now believed that the likelihood of complications while taking Tamiflu remains the same as without it [13], [14].

Stone Age

Traditional methods of “treatment” that do not have any justification and effectiveness. Barbaric and merciless soviet sadism contains a powerful force of distracting psychotherapy, when one thought in the head requires calming: “We must do something!” Do not. It makes no sense to torture yourself with the following:

• put cans, mustard plasters, pepper plasters;
• soar your feet in boiling water, even with a solution of the same mustard;
• do steam inhalation over potatoes, kettle or saucepan [15];
• rub with alcohol, vodka, vinegar, urine, fat, oil;
• smear with balm “Zvezdochka” and other odorous nasty things.

Non-treatment

• Antibiotics are not required for colds, including prevention [16], [17].
• Allergy products – only for allergy sufferers, do not touch someone else’s.
• Expectorants (Acetylcysteine, Ambroxol, Bromhexine) are used for bronchitis and pneumonia and only on the recommendation of a doctor. Laryngitis, pharyngitis and tracheitis, which are common for ARVI, do not require expectorant and antitussive drugs.The latter (Sinekod / Codelac) can only be taken when you are fully recovered, but a nasty dry cough remains. Bronchipret, Gedelix, Prospan, Gelomirtol, Pertussin, Bronchikum, Tussamag are pseudo-expectorants. And they don’t work with other herbal medicine at all.
• Apart from oseltamivir and zanamivir, there are no antivirals with any significant effect. Arbidol, Arpetol, Derinat, Ingavirin, IRS-19, Kagocel, Oxolin, Proteflazid, Immunoflazid, Flavosid – all this is a scam.
• Homeopathy: NO (Anaferon / Ergoferon / Aflubin and others).
• Honey, garlic, onions, echinacea, eleutherococcus, vodka, gorilka and everything else that can be ingested or smeared will also not save, even as a preventive strike [18], [19], [20], [21].
• Nasal, oral, anal interferons do not help in the treatment of colds / flu. Interferon inducers – into the same furnace: amiksin, amizon, lavomax, tilaxin, tiloron, cycloferon.

All of these pseudo-drugs will not help you heal or avoid a cold. Forget about them!

Prevention

There is no prophylaxis. You are more likely to get sick. If you do not get sick, then you are on the list of the lucky ones out of about 50% who received the influenza vaccine. Perhaps you were sick, but in a very mild form that you did not even notice it.

• Wash your hands: contact transmission is sometimes even cooler than drip.During an epidemic, all commonly used surfaces are potentially contaminated: money, handrails, doors, someone else’s hands, and so on. He touched something, scratched his nose with a dirty hand – and voila, sick leave. The virus retains its “ability to infect” an average of about two hours (in some cases – up to several days). Wash your hands regularly!
• Become unsociable: do not sit at home, but walk away from the crowds. Less transport means more walking in the park. Fewer supermarkets means more small shops.Postpone excursions to the shopping center and queues at Sberbank for the duration of the epidemic.
• Dry air is evil. Invigorating freshness is better than an extra switched on heater and dried mucous membranes, on which viruses will happily fly. If you feel cold, then get dressed: the body in general and the nose in particular should be warm [22].
• Dry mucous membranes are even more evil, as mucus is our natural barrier. You can moisturize with the same saline solutions (saline, Dolphin, Aqua Maris, etc.).Rinse your nose and gargle as often and often as possible.

So-so prevention

There are no medicines or folk remedies that are reliably effective for prevention. We’ll have to catch a cold sometimes, accept it.

• Mask. It should be worn on patients because it reduces the dispersion of infected microdroplets, which give airborne droplets. [23] …Healthy people need a mask only to look like a paranoid idiot: the mask will work for 30-40 minutes until it becomes wet and loses its electrostatic properties, which trap dust particles.
• Increased immunity. There is no such concept, and the “drugs” for this are the same bullshit mycin as the above “antiviral” ones: Galavit, Immunal, Immunorm, Imudon, Immunomax, Broncho-Munal, Imunofan, Polyoxidonium, Inosine, Isoprinosine, Groprinosine , Riboxin, Likopid, Ribomunil.
• Honey, propolis and multivitamins. They do not have any special healing power and do not directly affect treatment / prevention.

• Forget about tons of ascorbic acid, the myth of their benefits has long been debunked [24].

Doctors, doctors!

We always call a doctor. At least in order to allow him to legally skip work and reassure him that an ambulance is not needed.
An ambulance is needed when at least one item from the following list appears:

• temperature from 39 °, which is not reduced by paracetamol / ibuprofen for more than half an hour;
• shortness of breath, feeling short of breath;
• severe pain anywhere;
• loss of consciousness;
• convulsions;
• edema;
• rash.

Home Reading

Sequential or combined use of antipyretics in the treatment of fever in children

When children have infectious diseases, they often have a fever. Fever for common viral illnesses such as colds, coughs, sore throats, and gastrointestinal problems usually lasts several days and is accompanied by poor health and anxiety for children, their parents, and other caregivers.

Paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen) and ibuprofen reduce fever and relieve symptoms in children. This review assessed whether the combination or sequential use of the two drugs is more effective than paracetamol alone or ibuprofen alone.

In September 2013, we found six studies involving 915 children evaluating the co-administration (combination) or alternating (sequential) use of paracetamol and ibuprofen for the treatment of fever in children.

Compared to ibuprofen or paracetamol alone, the combination of these drugs is likely to be more effective in lowering body temperature within the first four hours after drug administration ( moderate quality evidence ). However, only one trial evaluated the effect of combination treatment on reducing discomfort or anxiety and found no difference compared to ibuprofen alone or paracetamol alone.

In practice, caregivers are often advised to first give one medication (paracetamol or ibuprofen) and then, if the child continues to have a fever, give the next dose of an alternative medication (medication). Using an alternative treatment in this way (consistently) may be more effective in reducing body temperature in the first three hours after the second dose ( low-quality evidence ) and in reducing the child’s discomfort ( low-quality evidence )

Only one small trial compared sequential versus combination therapy and found no benefit to either of the two treatments ( very low-quality evidence ).

Check with the health care provider or pharmacist the correctness and safety of the drugs used / Consultant Plus

Check with the health care provider or pharmacist that the medicines used are correct and safe

Antiviral drugs can sometimes help reduce flu symptoms, but they require a prescription. Most people do not need these antiviral medications to fully recover from the flu.However, for people at high risk of serious complications from the flu, or for those with severe flu and needing hospitalization, antiviral drugs may be beneficial. Antiviral drugs can be used for patients over 1 year old. Ask your healthcare provider if you need antiviral drugs.

Influenza infection can lead to a bacterial infection or occur simultaneously with a bacterial infection. Therefore, some people will need to take antibiotics as well.A more severe or prolonged illness, or an illness in which there was an improvement and then a worsening of the condition, may be indicators that the patient also has a bacterial infection. Check with your health care provider if you have any suspicions.

Warning! Do not give aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) to children or teenagers if they have the flu; this can cause a rare but serious condition called Reye’s syndrome.

Check the label of over-the-counter cold and flu medications for aspirin.

– Teens with the flu should take non-aspirin medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol (R)) and ibuprofen to relieve the condition; (Avidil (R), Mortin (R), Nuprin (R)).

– Children under 4 years of age should not be given over-the-counter cold medications without first consulting the health care provider.

– The safest treatment for flu symptoms in children under 2 years of age is to use a cool mist humidifier and a bulb to suck off excess mucus.

– Fever and pain should be treated with acetaminophen (Tylenol (R)) or ibuprofen; (Avidil (R), Mortin (R), Nuprine (R)), or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Examples of this type of drug include:

┌────────────────────────┬────────────────────── ────────┐

│General name │Manufacturer name │

├────────────────────────┼────────────────────── ────────┤

│Acetaminophen │Tylenol (R) │

├────────────────────────┼────────────────────── ────────┤

│Ibuprofen │Avidil (R), Mortin (R), Nuprin (R) │

├────────────────────────┼────────────────────── ────────┤

│Naproxen │Aleve │

└────────────────────────┴────────────────────── ────────┘

– Over-the-counter cold and flu medications, used according to package directions, may help reduce some symptoms such as cough and swelling.It is important to remember that these drugs do not diminish the sick person’s ability to infect others.

– Check the ingredients of medicines on the packaging in case these medicines already contain acetaminophen or ibuprofen before taking an additional dose of these medicines – do not double the dose! Patients with kidney disease as well as stomach problems should check the acceptability of taking any NSAIDs with their healthcare provider.

Consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are already taking non-influenza over-the-counter or prescription drugs.

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90,000 TOP-15 drugs for colds – rating of good remedies 2021

Everyone has encountered a cold and unpleasant symptoms of this condition. People of different age groups are susceptible to acute respiratory infections.A cold in the absence of timely treatment can cause complications. To prevent such a development of events, you should buy the right drugs and start treatment. Pharmacies offer a wide range of medicines that not only help alleviate the condition, but also prevent infection. We offer the TOP of the best cold medicines, which is based on effectiveness, safety and reviews.

How to choose pills for the common cold for adults

The choice of the drug should be dealt with exclusively by the attending physician.Rash actions and taking inappropriate medications can lead to negative and irreversible consequences.

When choosing a medication for a cold, the following are taken into account:

• indications and contraindications;
• drug interactions;
• pharmacological effects;
• age restrictions.

Also, with a cold, the patient may be prescribed antibiotics, antiviral, anti-inflammatory drugs.Only a doctor can choose the type of drug after a preliminary examination and an accurate diagnosis. Also, for a speedy recovery, multivitamin complexes and immunostimulating drugs are prescribed.

Causes of the common cold and respiratory infections

The causes of rhinitis are various provoking factors. At the first signs of a cold, it is necessary to correctly determine the type of disease, depending on which the specialist will select the treatment.

Table – The main reasons for the development of rhinitis

The main reason for the development of a respiratory infection is pathogens, which, after penetration, have a negative effect on the immune system, weakening it. ARVI is caused by different types of influenza viruses, parainfluenza, adenoviruses, rhinoviruses. Mostly pathogens are RNA-containing viruses. Most pathogenic microorganisms are unstable to environmental conditions, quickly die when exposed to ultraviolet radiation and disinfectants.

The source of the common cold is an infected person. The greatest danger is posed by patients in the first week of the disease. Viruses are transmitted by airborne droplets, sometimes by household contact. The body’s susceptibility to respiratory infection is high, especially in childhood. Immunity after infection is unstable, short-term.

What to do with a cold

At the first manifestations of rhinitis, it is recommended to start therapy immediately.You should pay attention to the best antiviral drugs for colds, presented in the ranking below. Be sure to adhere to the dosage prescribed by the manufacturer or follow the doctor’s recommendations.

If a patient is diagnosed with the second stage of rhinitis, then it is necessary to resort to complex symptomatic therapy using broad-spectrum antibiotics, as well as antimicrobial drugs.

To reduce the swelling of the nasal mucosa, it is recommended to use local preparations (drops, sprays) that have a vasoconstrictor effect.After using them with a cold, there is an improvement in breathing and relief of the condition.

When should an ambulance be called?

Treatment of colds, flu and rhinitis is carried out at home after prior consultation with a specialist. But there are situations when the prescribed therapy has ceased to help and the condition has significantly worsened.

An ambulance is recommended to be called in case of deterioration of health and in case of an increase in body temperature.Also, immediate medical advice is needed if there is severe swelling of the throat and nose that makes breathing difficult.

Rating of drugs for colds

Compounds of a chemical nature are used as antiviral agents. Most of them are substances that inhibit the activity of enzymes involved in the assembly reactions of viral proteins. Due to the fact that similar enzymes are used in the synthesis of proteins in the cellular structures of the host, the toxic effect of these agents is not excluded.

Good antiviral drugs for colds and flu are collected in the ranking. When compiling the TOP, the price-quality ratio was taken into account. When choosing a medicine, it is necessary to take into account contraindications, the form of release, the general condition of the body, as well as the age category. With an incorrectly selected medication, there is a risk of developing irreversible health consequences, therefore, one cannot do without consulting a doctor.

No. 1 – TeraFlu Extra (GlaxoSmithKline, France)

The best cold remedy is for the symptomatic treatment of acute respiratory infections.Formulated on the basis of paracetamol, pheniramine and phenylephrine. Available in powder form for solution preparation.

The combined medicine has a pronounced vasoconstrictor and analgesic effect. “TeraFlu” lowers the temperature and eliminates the swelling of the mucous membranes, helping to cope with the common cold.

It is prescribed for the flu and colds in the presence of chills, high fever, muscle pain and nasal congestion. The duration of use is no more than 5 days. Not assigned to children under 12 years of age.

# 2 – TeraFlu (GlaxoSmithKline, France)

Powder for preparing a solution to eliminate symptoms of colds and acute respiratory infections. The best medicine for colds and flu blocks histamine receptors, relieving headaches and clearing up a runny nose. It has antipyretic, anti-allergic and anti-edema properties.

It is recommended to take TeraFlu at the first sign of a cold, dissolving the contents of the sachet in 200 ml of hot water. It is recommended to follow the dosage indicated in the instructions.Otherwise, liver failure and other serious complications may develop, requiring symptomatic therapy.

No. 3 – Coldact Flu Plus (Natco Pharma, India)

Sustained-release granule capsules contain paracetamol, chlorphenamine and phenylephrine. One of the best cold medications for treating the symptoms of acute respiratory infections.

Non-narcotic analgesic has a vasoconstrictor effect and saturates the body with vitamins, strengthening the immune system.The combined preparation relieves signs of allergies, reduces itching in the nose and eyes, and prevents watery eyes. Hyperemia and edema of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract is reduced, which contributes to the improvement of the general condition.

No. 4 – Rinza (Unique Pharmaceuticals, India)

It is produced in tablet form based on chlorphenamine maleate, caffeine, paracetamol and phenylephrine hydrochloride. “Rinza” is a good cold remedy for an adult, which is prescribed to eliminate the symptoms of acute respiratory diseases.

The combined preparation has the following pharmacological action:

• lowers body temperature;
• reduces sore throat and muscles, relieves headache;
• relieves swelling and redness of the mucous membranes;
• has an anti-allergic effect, eliminating exudative manifestations;

“Rinza” can provoke the development of allergic reactions and an increase in blood pressure (blood pressure).Among the adverse reactions, it is also possible to develop dryness of the nasal mucosa and oral cavity.

No. 5 – Anaferon (Materia Medica, Russia)

Antiviral agent for the treatment of ARVI, which has proven itself both among doctors and patients. The drug works on the immune system to help suppress the virus and avoid complications. According to statistics, the speed of recovery with the use of this drug is 3.7 days on average. The greatest effect is achieved if you start taking it from the first days of the onset of symptoms.

No. 6 – Ibuklin (Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, India)

Combined analgesic-antipyretic, which is developed on the basis of paracetamol and ibuprofen. One of the best antiviral agents for colds for an adult has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects.
It is prescribed for flu, colds, neuralgia, myalgia and joint pain. The drug has no effect on the progression of diseases.

№7 – “AnviMax” (Sotex PharmFirma, Russia)

The drug is designed for symptomatic and etiotropic (elimination of the cause of the disease) therapy for ARI.The composition includes paracetamol, loratadine, ascorbic acid, calcium gluconate.

Powder is intended for solution preparation. Effectively eliminates the symptoms of colds and acute respiratory diseases. It has a pronounced antiviral, antipyretic, interferonogenic effect. AnviMax is intended for etiotropic treatment of type A influenza, symptomatic treatment of influenza and ARVI.

# 8 – Coldrex Hotrem (GlaxoSmithKline, Spain)

The drug is available in powder form.Designed to relieve the symptoms of acute respiratory infections. The best medicine for colds and flu is developed on the basis of paracetamol, vitamin C and phenylephrine hydrochloride.

The combined agent has a complex effect:

• removes heat;
• removes inflammation;
• constricts blood vessels;
• regenerates tissue;
• enhances immunity.

It is prescribed for symptomatic treatment of colds and flu, which are accompanied by headache, fever and runny nose.The course of treatment should last no more than 5 days.

No. 9 – “Grippferon” (Firn M, Russia)

Nasal drops are developed on the basis of human recombinant interferon alpha 2-b. The immunomodulatory drug has an antiviral effect and relieves inflammation. It is prescribed for the prevention and treatment of ARVI and influenza. The course of therapy is 5 days.

“Grippferon” can be used during 1-3 trimesters of pregnancy. There are also no restrictions during lactation. Among the contraindications are severe forms of allergic diseases.

No. 10 – Derinat (Technomedservice, Russia)

Solution for local and external use, developed on sodium deoxyribonucleate. The immunomodulatory agent has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps to normalize the state of tissues in case of degenerative changes of the vascular type.

Drops “Derinat” activates antimicrobial, antimicrobial and antiviral immunity. It has a high regenerative and reparative effect. It is prescribed for the prevention and treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections and is used to eliminate inflammation in the oral mucosa.It is widely used in the complex therapy of sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, sinusitis and rhinitis.

No. 11 – “Antigrippin” (Natur Product, Netherlands)

Effervescent tablets are intended to relieve symptoms and treat acute respiratory infections. The combined preparation lowers the temperature, relieves muscle pain and headache. Eliminates allergies, reduces swelling and redness of the mucous membranes, making breathing easier. Antigrippin also increases the body’s resistance.

No. 12 – “Paracetamol” (Pharmstandard-Leksredstva, Russia)

An analgesic-antipyretic is a non-narcotic pain reliever that has a mild anti-inflammatory effect.The drug lowers body temperature. It is prescribed for infectious and inflammatory diseases.

No. 13 – “Fervex” (Bristol-Myers Squibb, France)

The powder is designed to eliminate the symptoms of colds and acute respiratory infections. The combined preparation relieves fever and relieves pain. Reduces swelling and hyperemia of the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx.

It is prescribed for nasal congestion, headache, lacrimation, sneezing and fever. It is recommended to take with extreme caution in case of renal and hepatic insufficiency.The duration of therapy is no more than 3 days.

# 14 – Weeks Antigripp (Procter & Gamble, UK)

Formulated on the basis of phenylephrine, paracetamol and guaifenesin. Available in powder form. Designed to eliminate the symptoms of colds and acute respiratory infections.
It has antipyretic and analgesic effects. It helps to remove phlegm from the bronchi, constricts blood vessels and removes swelling of the nasal mucosa.

No. 15 – “Tsitovir-3” (Cytomed MBNPK, Russia)

An immunostimulating agent effective against influenza A and B viruses.The capsules relieve the symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections, shorten the duration of the disease and prevent the development of complications.

It is prescribed for the prevention and complex treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza in children aged 1 year and older. It is not recommended to use during pregnancy due to the lack of clinical data.

No. 16 – “Antigrippin-ANVI” (Pharmproject, Russia)

Capsules are prescribed to relieve symptoms of colds and acute respiratory infections:

• help to cope with headaches;
• knock down high body temperature;
• restore tissues;
• increase the body’s resistance.

“Antigrippin-ANVI” reduces inflammation and eliminates puffiness, and also strengthens the walls of blood vessels. The capsules have antiallergic effect.

How complex remedies for colds and flu work

In case of a cold, patients are recommended complex remedies that will help not only get rid of unpleasant symptoms, but also fight the infection. They have a firming and antiviral effect. When choosing the best remedy for colds and flu, an adult and a child are advised to take into account the composition and pharmacology.

Preparations help restore immunity, develop the appropriate type of interferon in the body. Also, drugs reduce the severity of symptoms, that is, eliminate nasal congestion, reduce cough, and lower the temperature. Some remedies relieve headaches caused by fever and rhinitis.

Other treatments for colds and flu

In addition to medicines for colds, folk remedies are used, proper nutrition is prescribed.With the flu, it is recommended to drink as much liquid as possible, raspberry tea with lemon. It also helps to relieve the condition of viburnum and blackberries. Of the products, experts advise including onions and garlic in the diet.

Food should be balanced, but not heavy on the stomach. Do not overload the weakened body with fatty, fried and smoked foods. It is best to include broth and porridge in the diet at this time.

In case of flu, it is also recommended to drink chamomile, ginger tea, rosehip infusion.If there are no contraindications for a strong cough, you can use honey with warm milk. If there is no temperature, then it is worth doing inhalations with eucalyptus and mint. It is imperative to adhere to bed rest.

Basic methods of preventing colds and flu

In order not to face colds and flu, it is necessary not only to take immunostimulating and immunomodulating drugs, but also to take preventive measures.

The basic rules are as follows:

1. Timely vaccination.It is held annually during the cold season in clinics on a free basis. Anyone can be vaccinated, provided that there are no contraindications and serious disorders in the body.
2. Short stay in crowded places and public transport. If this cannot be avoided, then it is recommended to use protective equipment and observe the rules of personal hygiene.
3. Avoid contact with people with signs of illness.
4. In the cold season, after visiting the street, public places, it is necessary to flush the nasal cavity every time with a special solution, for example, “Aqua Maris”.
5. Ventilate the room regularly, carry out wet cleaning and humidify the air.
6. Eat a healthy diet, eat more fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin C.
7. If someone in the household is sick, it is necessary to start taking antiviral drugs for the rest to prevent infection.Good antiviral drugs for colds for adults are Rimantadin, Kagocel, Anaferon and Cycloferon. The best pills for colds and flu for a child are Anaferon, Antigrippin, Agri, Tsitovir-3. Medicines must be taken after prior consultation with a specialist, according to the instructions and no more than the specified period.
8. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, frequent walking, quality sleep.

Colds and flu bring people a lot of discomfort and worsen the quality of life.In order not to face pathologies, it is necessary to carry out preventive measures and engage in timely treatment.