What type of cold medicine should i take

With a little customized guidance about ingredients, you may be able to enjoy better symptom relief. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. By Madeline R. Reviewed: June 25, Medically Reviewed. Food and Drug Administration FDA , must appear in this order: The product's active ingredients, including the amount in each dose The purpose of the product The uses indications for the product Specific warnings, including when the product should not be used under any circumstances and when it is appropriate to consult with a doctor or pharmacist.

This section also describes side effects that could occur and substances or activities to avoid. The drug that you choose will depend on your specific symptoms. Nasal decongestants help unclog a congested nose. They work by narrowing the blood vessels in the lining of your nose so that the swollen tissue shrinks and decreases mucous production. Air can then pass through more easily.

These drugs can also help dry up postnasal drip. Nasal decongestants are available as pills, nasal sprays , and liquid drops. Coughing actually protects the body by expelling unwanted mucus, microbes, and air. However, the urge to cough is a reflex and can sometimes be triggered unnecessarily. Cough suppressants can help if a cough is interfering with your daily life or sleep.

This is why some doctors recommend you take cough suppressants mostly at bedtime. These drugs work by blocking the nerve impulse that causes your cough reflex. They can help provide short-term relief from coughing. The most common OTC cough suppressant is dextromethorphan. Expectorants help thin and loosen mucus so you can cough it up more easily.

This can help your body rid itself of excessive mucus more quickly. The active ingredient in OTC cough expectorants is guaifenesin. Antihistamines may provide some relief of symptoms related to the release of histamine in your body.

These can include:. This won't stray into your bloodstream, says Alonzo. Vitamin C in mega-doses comes brightly packaged as Emergen-C and Airborne , but there's no concrete evidence that large doses of C can reduce the duration or severity of colds or the flu.

Vitamin C is water soluble, so anything over the recommended dietary allowance—which is 90 milligrams a day for men and 75 for women—will be eliminated from the body when you urinate. The better approach: Fill up on whole foods loaded with vitamin C , which are also loaded with other important nutrients to keep your body strong and healthy.

Expectorants such as Mucinex thin the nasty mucus draining down the back of your throat, which helps you cough it up and out. These products can help, but the best expectorant may be as near as your kitchen sink.

If you find water too bland for your tastes, try lemonade or tea, she says. You can also turn on the hot water in the shower and breathe it in or try a cool-mist humidifier. In fact, the National Institutes of Health says that there's little to no evidence that any homeopathic products work.

Homeopathic products are not as tightly regulated as drugs. If your symptoms include runny nose and scratchy throat, an antihistamine may provide temporary relief. Often used to treat allergies , common brand names include Claritin, Zyrtec, and Benadryl. Claritin and Zyrtec aren't likely to make you drowsy. Benadryl will, but that can be a good thing when you need to get some rest, says Dering-Anderson.

Another natural remedy for a head cold, Sambucol consists of extracts from the black elderberry plant. One study reported that the extract cut flu symptoms down by four days. But the study was small, involving only 60 people; the researchers relied on participants' own reports of how they were feeling; and it was funded by the manufacturer of the product.

A pain reliever may be the first thing you reach for when you come down with a cold, and with good reason. They can also help with fever. Anti-inflammatory meds like Advil or Motrin ibuprofen or Aleve naproxen have the advantage of reducing tissue inflammation , but you should take Tylenol acetaminophen instead if you're taking blood thinners to prevent blood clots or if you have stomach problems, congestive heart failure , or asthma and nasal polyps.

Theraflu is basically a dose of acetaminophen along with several other anti-cold ingredients and has a warning about the risk of liver damage if you take more than the recommended dose or mix with alcohol or other acetaminophen-containing products. Better bet: Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen alone and brew yourself a cup of tea or soup, says Dering-Anderson. You'll get the warm, soothing fluids without the extra drugs. A hacking cough is one of the most disabling symptoms of cold or flu, and suppressants containing dextromethorphan abbreviated as "DM" may be able to help a little bit.

But keep in mind that a cough can be part of the natural healing process. Yes, but… Combination products claim to treat all the nagging symptoms of colds and flu: pain, cough, sniffles, runny nose, you name it. The chemical cocktail may get the job done, but that doesn't mean you should use them—especially ones that contain acetaminophen.

Always read the ingredients list to ensure the formula only includes medications that treat the symptoms you have. Avoid taking additional medications at the same time to prevent accidental overdose and interactions. For example, if a medicine contains acetaminophen, do not also take Tylenol, Midol, or Excedrin, drugs that also contain acetaminophen.

You also should not take a multi-symptom reliever that contains dextromethorphan or guaifenesin along with cough syrup, which also contains those ingredients. Some turn to natural remedies to help with cold and flu symptoms as well. Know that some supplements can interact with other medications you may be on—including those sold over the counter. Speak to your healthcare provider or pharmacist before using an OTC cold or flu product alongside any supplement.

Looking to avoid getting the flu? Our free guide has everything you need to stay healthy this season. Sign up and get yours today. Safety and efficacy of over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for use in children. Expert Opin Drug Saf. Treating acute sinusitis. Updated October 18, National Library of Medicine. Updated February 15, National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.

Updated August 15, Oxymetazoline nasal spray. Updated September 15, Mayo Clinic. Fever treatment: Quick guide to treating a fever. Updated March 06, Updated March 16, Reye's Syndrome. American Academy of Pediatrics: HealthyChildren. Coughs and Colds: Medicines or Home Remedies? Updated November 21, Antihistamines for allergies. Updated May 12,