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Over the Counter Cold Meds

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CHECK WITH YOUR PERSONAL PHARMACIST WE ARE HERE TO HELP.

  • Ensure you get the most from your medicine.
  • Review what each of your medications are for.
  • Check in on any concerns you have.
  • Check for any drug interactions.
  • Prevent complications.
  • Help save you money.
  • Be accessible for when you need it most.

We know that you may have a close relationship with your doctor or pharmacy. Our goal is to be an extension of your healthcare team as an additional resource.

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If you have a cold or the flu you may be able to treat your symptoms without needing antibiotics. However, if you feel that you need seen by your healthcare provider, please reach out to your PeopleOne Health Office.

Over the Counter Cough and Cold Medicines

And how to choose the best one for you

A few questions you should ask yourself to help guide your medicine selection at the pharmacy:

Are you coughing up mucus?

Then you need what is called an expectorant.  This helps to thin the mucus so you can cough it up easier and be done coughing sooner.  The medicine you are looking for is called guaifenesin and is the active ingredient in several  Over the Counter cough medicines such as Mucinex®.  It is also found in combination with other medications in other cough and cold medicines.

Do you have a fever?

A fever is when your body temperature rises to help fight off germs in your system.  If you have a thermometer at home, check your temperature when you are feeling warm.  A fever is when your temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher.  If your temperature is higher than 103 degrees - seek emergency treatment!

Are you trying to stop the cough?

Not coughing up as much mucus but still have an annoying cough? You may be looking for a cough suppressant.  The most common is dextromethorphan which is the active ingredient in several  popular brands such as Delsym® and Robitussin®.  Some products use an expectorant and a cough suppressant together to help you clear the mucus and stop coughing faster.  Keep in mind that coughing is the body’s way clearing harmful build up from the lungs, so we don’t want to completely stop it.  Is it best to only take a cough suppressant before bedtime when coughing is interfering with sleep.

Does your throat hurt?

If your throat hurts from coughing you may consider a cough drop.  There are many flavors available.  These coat the mouth and throat to ease soreness and cough. Sugar free options may be best to avoid excess calories and sugar. 
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This article is a helpful resource for treating adults with cough and cold.  But what about children?  Over the counter medications for children for cough and cold will have directions on the box for the right dose for children based on their age and weight.  Children cannot take the same medicines as adults.  If you need help picking a medicine for a child, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Fever (continued)

You can treat a fever with over the counter medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen.  Acetaminophen typically comes in 325 mg regular tablets or 500 mg extra strength tablets.  You can take 1-2 tablets every 6 hrs for fever, as long as you do not exceed 3000 mg total in 24 hours.  Ibuprofen dose for fever is 200-400 mg every 6 hours, but do not exceed 1200 mg in 24 hours.  Consult your medical provider if you have a fever lasting longer than 3 days or if your fever is accompanied by headache, abdominal pain or painful urination.

Do you have congestion?

If you have sinus pressure or congestion where it feels like you can’t breath out of your nose, you may need a decongestant.  Pseudoephedrine (brand names include Sudafed®) must be purchased behind the counter - this means you don’t need a prescription but have to ask the pharmacy staff for this medication and provide your driver’s license to be able to buy.  This medication cannot be used by people with heart conditions including high blood pressure.  There are some heart safe versions such as Coricidin®.

Always check with your pharmacist or medical provider to make sure you can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen.  Some people cannot take acetaminophen due to liver conditions.  Some people cannot take ibuprofen due to kidney conditions or because they cause an increased risk of bleeding when combined with certain other medications.

Do you have a runny nose?

Many cough and cold medications include antihistamines, like diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) or other over the counter meds typically used for allergies.  These help to dry up your runny nose, help stop any itching, and also make you tired.  Many cough and cold products contain an antihistamine because they will help you fall asleep.

 

Keep in mind, there are many different products sold at your pharmacy to help with cough and cold.  Many of them are combinations of the medicines mentioned in this article.  Always read the back of the bottle or box to find out exactly what ingredients you are getting.  For example, the popular  medicine Nyquil® contains a cough suppressant, an antihistamine and acetaminophen for pain/ fever. These combination products can be great for all-in-one relief, but be careful when combining with other products to avoid duplications!