They were not feeling well and were overwhelmed by the aisles of cold/allergy medicines –all claiming to make YOU feel better!

 

When I speak with a patient, I make 3 main points…

1.     There is no cure for the common cold or allergies but there are drugs that can make you feel better.

2.     It does not matter if you have allergies or a cold…you use the same OTC medications.

3.     Don’t be fooled by all the packaging. It does not matter what is says it is for…always turn the box around and look at the “active ingredients” section.  

 

There are 7 main categories of drug treatment:  oral antihistamines, eye antihistamines, oral decongestants, nose spray decongestants, cough suppressants, expectorants and pain/fever medications.

 

So, next, I go over what symptoms the patient has and how to treat them…

 

If you have runny nose, watering eyes, sneezing and dry cough take an antihistamine (like diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, loratadine or cetirizine).   If you want some natural antihistamines –read this article.

 

Don’t worry if none of these drugs look familiar; they are all the scientific generic names.  Just remember to look at the “active ingredients” section. 

 

If you are congested in your head, take an oral decongestant (Phenylephrine or pseudophedrine).  Pseudophedrine is the one that you have to get at the pharmacy with an ID.

 

If your nose is congested, you can take an oral decongestant and/or a nose spray decongestant (oxymetazoline, phenylephrine).  Only use nose sprays for 3 days.  If you use them for longer it can actually make your congestion worse.  You can use salt water spray, like Ocean Spray, as much as you like!  If your nasal congestion is ongoing, another option is a nasal steroid spray like Flonase (fluticasone).

 

If you have a bad dry cough, take a cough suppressant (dextromethorphan),cough drops and honey.

 

If you are coughing up mucus/phlegm, take an expectorant (guaifenesin)

 

My mom told me that when we were kids she could tell the cough medicines apart by thinking D is for dry cough (dextromethorphan) and G is for gunky cough (guaifenesin).

 

If you have a really bad sore throat, take an oral decongestant, an antihistamine, cough drops or spray and gargle with salt water. 

 

If you have annoying watery, itchy eyes, take an oral antihistamine and an eye drop antihistamine (ketotifen).  I get the best feedback on Zaditor eye drops.

 

If you have aches, pains and/or fever, add a pain/fever reducer (ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen).

 

You can take one medication from each category.  Check out the combination medications.

 

Helpful hint: Most symptoms can be helped by taking an antihistamine/pseudophedrine combination product.     

 

Of course, there are more drugs out there but you get the gist.  Always check with your physician or pharmacist about drug interactions and side effects.  Hope you feel better! J 

Want to know more?  Leave us a comment or email me at nova@getpharmacyadvice.com