“There’s nothing you can do to cure a viral illness,” notes Dr. Sterling Ransone, MD, a family physician in Deltaville, Virginia, and president-elect of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). “That huge wall of medications that you’ll see at the pharmacy are merely to control the symptoms you have from a cold.” But still, that can go a long way toward making you feel a little more human (and able to function normally) again. And that may make it worthwhile to you.So, how do you pick?
Read the labels
Start by picking up the box or bottle and carefully reading the label. “Always look at the ingredients,” says Dr. Ransone. You want to know exactly what the medicine contains and what it purports to do. There’s no sense in buying a cold medicine that won’t address your specific symptoms, after all. Here are some common ingredients in cold medicines and what they’re intended to do:
Acetaminophen, which reduces fever and treats minor aches and pains, including sore throats and headachesChlorpheniramine maleate, an antihistamine that will help address symptoms like a runny nose and sneezingDextromethorphan, which is a cough suppressantDoxylamine, which is also an antihistamineGuaifenesin, an expectorant that is designed to relieve chest congestion by thinning out mucus, making it easier to cough upPhenylephrine, a nasal decongestantPseudoephedrine, which relieves nasal and sinus congestion
Reading labels carefully can also help you avoid ingredients that might be problematic for you. For example, you may want to avoid antihistamines, since they can make you drowsy. Or in other circumstances, you may be eager for a product that might help you sleep a little better. It can also help you avoid unintentionally doubling up on ingredients. For example, say you’re already taking Tylenol, which contains acetaminophen to bring down any fever or reduce any aches or pains you may be experiencing. You don’t want to start taking a cold medicine at the same time that also contains acetaminophen. By doubling up on acetaminophen, you could unknowing put yourself at risk for liver damage. Side note: it’s not hard to find medicines that contain acetaminophen as an active ingredient, either. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that more than 600 prescription and OTC meds contain acetaminophen. And follow the directions, including the recommendations for the maximum number of doses that you can take during a 24-hour period, adds Dr. Ada Stewart, MD, a family physician in Columbia, South Carolina and the current AAFP president.
Focus on one symptom at a time
You might be tempted to pick a one-size-fits-all type of med. And indeed, multi-symptom meds abound on the drugstore and big box store shelves. Pick up a box of medicine that advertises multi-symptom relief and check out the list of active ingredients. For example, consider Vicks DayQuil Cold & Flu Multi-Symptom Relief LiquiCaps, which contains the following active ingredients: acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine. Meanwhile, Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom Nighttime contains those same ingredients plus an antihistamine called doxylamine, which may make you drowsy (hence the “night” in the product name). But many experts suggest steering clear of them and sticking with a medication that will address one main symptom instead—the symptom that’s bothering you the most, perhaps. “If you do get a multi-symptom medication,” says Dr. Stewart. “Usually, it has a little bit of everything and not enough of one thing.” But if you’re still not sure, you can always ask your doctor for some guidance. In fact, Dr. Stewart regularly recommends that people consult their doctors about medicines they plan to take. “Every medication has potential risks and benefits, and the only way to be able to recognize those is from talking to their physician who knows them, like whether they have kidney issues that could be a concern with certain medications or if they have blood pressure issues,” she says.
Consider a remedy that’s not a medication
If you prefer to steer clear of OTC cold meds, perhaps because you don’t like the side effects or you don’t want to risk medication interactions, you do have some other options to help you feel better. Consider one of these treatments:
Honey
Honey can soothe your throat, can also help temporarily ward off coughing. It can do a pretty good job, too, although research suggests that it probably isn’t as effective as dextromethorphan.
Saline spray
You can use a saline spray to rinse some of that mucus out of your nose, which may help you breathe a little easier.
Nasal irrigation systems
Along similar lines of using nasal spray, you can also use a bulb syringe or neti pot to rinse out your sinuses. But the FDA cautions that you should only use distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water. No tap water, since it might contain bacteria or protozoa that could cause an infection in your nasal passages.
Saltwater
You could also try gargling some saltwater to relieve sore throat pain. But don’t bother with homeopathic treatments, says Dr. Ransone. “They don’t work,” he said, noting that some people may experience a placebo effect. Homeopathic products are not regulated for safety and reviewed for effectiveness by the FDA.
Skip the OTC cold meds for your kids
Something else to consider: Over-the-counter cold medications are generally not recommended for young children. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that parents should only offer cold medicine to children between the ages of four and six if their child’s doctor specifically recommends doing so. “For kids, they’re less effective and they can have a number of side effects,” says pediatrician Dr. Elizabeth Mack, MD, professor and division chief of pediatric critical care at MUSC Children’s Health. So, if you’re a parent, don’t feel that you should go stock up at the drugstore on cold meds for your sniffly, sneezy toddler. Try putting a humidifier in their room at night to keep the air moist, which can help with some of that nasal congestion. Next up, are you stuffed up with a sore throat? you probably have a cold—here’s what to know.
Sources
Dr. Sterling Ransone, MD, president-elect of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Dr. Ada Stewart, MD, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)Dr. Elizabeth Mack, MD, professor and division chief of pediatric critical care at MUSC Children’s HealthHealthy Children: “Choosing Over-the-Counter Medicines for Your Child.“MedLine Plus: “Cold and Cough Medicines” Healthy Children: “Coughs and Colds: Medicines or Home Remedies?” U.S. Food and Drug Administration: “Don’t Double Up on Acetaminophen” Homeopathic Products. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-drug-class/homeopathic-productsU.S. Food and Drug Administration: “Is Rinsing Your Sinuses With Neti Pots Safe?” Oduwale O, et al. “Honey for Acute Cough in Children.”
