Best cold medicine: OTC Treatment for your symptoms

When it comes to over-the-counter (OTC) cold and flu drugs, you have a lot of options. That's due in part to the fact that colds and the flu have a wide range of symptoms.The first step in determining the appropriate cold treatment for you is to inventory the specific cold and flu symptoms you are now experiencing. A single medication that targets a specific symptom might be adequate. An anti-symptom drug may be what you need instead.For instance, decongestants, analgesics, and other sorts of drugs can help with issues like coughing and sneezing.

DECONGESTANTS

Decongestants can also aid with stuffiness.Over-the-counter (OTC) cold and flu medications are widely available. For the alleviation of several symptoms, various substances are available both individually and as combination. Combination cold and flu products frequently contain acetaminophen (Tylenol), dextromethorphan (Delsym, Robitussin), and phenylephrine (Sudafed PE).

These compounds target ailments like congestion, coughing, and fever.Check the product's ingredients before buying. By doing this, you can prevent taking the same drug twice or addressing symptoms you don't have.Your symptoms, age, and medical problems can all influence the best OTC cold and flu medication for you. You can navigate your selections with the aid of your pharmacist.

NASAL DECONGESTANTS

Nasal decongestants aid in clearing a stuffy nose. They function by constricting the blood arteries in your nose's lining, which causes the enlarged tissue to contract and lessen mucus production. The passage of air is then made easier.These medicines can also aid in postnasal drip evaporation.There are tablets, nasal sprays, and liquid drops for nasal decongestants.

They are often not advised for kids under the age of three.OTC nasal decongestants contain the following active ingredients:(Afrin, Dristan 12-Hour Nasal Spray) Oxymetazoline nasal Neo-Synephrine, nasal phenylephrine(Sudafed PE, Triaminic Multi-Symptom Fever and Cold) Phenylephrine oral Sudafed is a pseudoephedrine.

COUGH SUPPRESSANTS

Through the expulsion of excess mucus, bacteria, and air, coughing actually serves to defend the body. Coughing, though, is a reflex that can occasionally be unnecessarily set off.If a cough is disturbing your sleep or daily activities, cough suppressants may be able to help. For this reason, some medical professionals advise taking cough suppressants mostly before night.These medications function by obstructing the nerve impulse responsible for your cough reflex.

They can aid in offering temporary respite from coughing.Dextromethorphan is the most often used OTC cough suppressant. It serves as the active component in drugs like: Triaminic Cold and Cough, Robitussin Chest Congestion and Cough DM

EXPECTORANTS

Expectorants aid in thinning and loosening mucus to make it easier to cough up. Your body may be able to eliminate extra mucus more quickly as a result of this.

Guaifenesin is the main component of over-the-counter cough expectorants. In Mucinex and Robitussin Cough and Chest Congestion DM, you can find it.

ANTIHISTAMINES

Antihistamines prevent the production of histamine, a chemical our bodies naturally produce in response to allergen exposure. These may consist of: itching ears and eyes and sneezing, dripping eyes,sneezing and nasal discharge OTC

Antihistamines contain the following active ingredients:Chlorpheniramine (Sudafed Plus) and brompheniramine (Dimetapp)One of Nyquil's three active ingredients, diphenhydramine (Benadryl) doxylamine, is a diphenhydramine derivative.These first-generation antihistamines, which could make you sleepy, are what are referred to as such. Because of this, these antihistamines are frequently only present in cold medications taken at night or in the afternoon.

The following second-generation over-the-counter antihistamines don't make you sleepy:(Zyrtec) cetirizine Loratadine (Claritin) with fexofenadine (Allegra)Some medical professionals warn against using these medications to treat colds. While addressing the symptoms, antihistamines cannot get rid of the cold virus.

ANALGESICS/ PAIN KILLER

The various types of pain brought on by the common cold are lessened with painkillers, including:muscular pain headaches painful throat, ear pain The typical active components in painkillers include:naproxen, ibuprofen  and acetaminophen Use with caution around children. When providing children OTC cold medications, exercise/" title="exercise" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">exercise cautious. Some OTC cold medications can have dangerous adverse effects, and it can be simple to give a child too much of them. Accidental overdoses can occasionally result in death.

PRECAUTIONS

Always consult your kid's doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions regarding the suitability of a cold medication for your child.Never let a child under the age of seven administer nasal decongestant spray to oneself. A child-safe alternative that helps relieve congestion is saline nasal drops. their physician for advice.Don't ever give youngsters aspirin, either. Instead, try acetaminophen or ibuprofen. These painkillers are safe for kids, but they need to be dosed differently depending on their age and weight.

Use cold medications only as directed by the product's instructions or your doctor. It makes it safer for you to use them.But some anti-influenza medications need extra attention:using nasal decongestants. Before using nasal decongestants, consult your doctor if you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure may rise as a result of these drugs.Use of nasal decongestant sprays or drops should not extend past three days. After this time, these medications lose some of their effectiveness. As a result of prolonged use, your mucous membranes may develop chronic irritation.