Deciding among the OTC (over-the-counter) remedies for cold, flu, or allergy symptoms can be intimidating, and a basic understanding of the types of drugs contained in these medications can help you make an informed choice. This can lead to more side effects, up your chance for overdose, or other serious health problems. All rights reserved. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. If you need to be at work or alert during the day, don’t take an antihistamine decongestant until the evening. cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of And it can’t relieve pain like the medicine codeine -- you'll need a doctor’s prescription for cough meds with that in it.A cough with phlegm can be a good thing -- it clears all the gunk from your airways. Julie Evans is a writer and editor who regularly covers health and wellness topics. NyQuil will help you get the rest you need to kick your cold as quickly as possible. Genexa has a lengthy list of active ingredients, so be sure to take a look before trying. Diphenhydramine is an A stuffy nose can leave you feeling like you’re struggling to take in fresh air. If postnasal drip is irritating your throat and making you cough, decongestants may help both your throat and cough. It turns out they were right. Finally, try pain relievers like aspirin or acetaminophen, and use home remedies to relieve lingering symptoms.Rest is one of the most important things you can give your body when you’re dealing with a cold.Staying hydrated with water, juice, or herbal tea helps thin out mucus, combats congestion, and helps your body fight a cold virus. Remember to always read dosing guidelines, and don’t double up on medications that contain the same active ingredient.A cold can take 7 to 10 days to resolve. Decongestants; Antihistamines; Cough medicines; Cough suppressants; Unsure about the hundreds of cold and flu preparations on the drugstore shelves? This box comes with six packets for daytime use that won't leave you feeling drowsy when you go about your day. The best cough medicine for you depends on your symptoms. A cold remedy used in many cultures, taking in warm liquids, such as chicken soup, tea or warm apple juice, might be soothing and might ease congestion by increasing mucus flow. Dayquil (which is also available in a liquid), which is made by Vick’s, the number one selling cough and cold brand around the world, is a long-time, trusted brand for many. Or you can suck on a lozenge or use a throat spray that contains a pain reliever such as benzocaine. Certain cough syrups also contain an expectorant, and ingredient that … Dextromethorphan is the most common ingredient for this. If you're on any medication, get your doctor’s OK before you try an over-the-counter cough treatment.WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Unani medicine also fights flu, chronic bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough, catarrh and many respiratory congestions.

Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. When your head feels several sizes too big with the pressure of a head cold, relief can’t come quickly enough. © 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. If you double up, you can get too much of the drug in your system. Or use a humidifier or vaporizer in your room while you sleep. That could include an The mash-up can be a good thing if you have a range of The doctor may tell you not to treat a cough from a cold unless it keeps you up at night or gets in the way of your daily life.

Coricidin HBP Decongestant-Free Cough and Cold Medicine for Hypertensives, Cold Symptom Relief for People with High Blood Pressure, 325 mg Acetaminophen Tablets (16 Count) 4.7 out of 5 stars 650 $5.53 $ 5 .

It can also linger in your sinuses even after other symptoms fade.To loosen up a stuffy nose, take a decongestant with the active ingredient Phenylephrine is another decongestant available for stuffy nose.Fever and aches are triggered by inflammation in your body.

Child-safe OTC versions of ibuprofen, antihistamines, and cough suppressants are … Breathe in steam. Cough and cold medications. If a raw, dry throat is making you cough, moisture may help.

If you take a decongestant for a runny nose, your symptoms will get worse before they get better as those types of drugs thin the mucus in your body. The triple-action formula includes a combination of acetaminophen to fight fever, pains, aches, and fever; Guaifenesin, an expectorant to make your cough more productive; and Phenylephrine, a nasal decongestant. Overuse of cough and cold medicine in children can have serious side effects.

Try breathing in steam from a hot shower. The only certified organic cold medicine on the market, this homeopathic formula is designed to provide relief from a host of common cold symptoms in addition to the dreaded runny nose. You’ll see it listed as DM on the bottle or package.This type of medication isn’t used to treat a cough with mucus. When symptoms of congestion hit your sinuses, you can feel cranial pressure and “stuffed up” in your nasal passages.

Drugs that contain the Toddlers and infants have different safety concerns when it comes to choosing a medication.