As soon as a cold strikes, it can be tempting to quickly reach for over-the-counter medicines to ease symptoms. But with so many choices available to us today, choosing an appropriate cold medicine can often prove daunting.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be an effective pain reliever, but excessive doses can damage liver tissue. Furthermore, taking several OTC medicines at once could result in overdosing on certain ingredients like dextromethorphan and guaifenesin.
1. Decongestants
Decongestants provide short-term relief of nasal congestion by constricting swollen blood vessels that cause it. Decongestants can be taken orally in pill or liquid form or applied directly to the nose via sprays and drops; alternatively they may come packaged together with pain killers or antihistamines as “all-in-one” remedies.
Decongestants generally function similarly; their active ingredients may differ. For instance, pseudoephedrine can be found in OTC products like Sudafed; it works by decreasing congestion and helping the body clear mucus from your nose. Phenylephrine works similarly, being present in products like Afrin or Mucinex; similarly oxymetazoline is commonly found in nasal sprays while xylometazoline can be found in products like Nasal Congestion Relief.
If your congestion is due to allergies, try switching up to an antihistamine rather than decongestants like Claritin or Zyrtec; both contain antihistamines which may help relieve allergy-induced congestion. For instance, loratadine and cetirizine may help alleviate discomfort caused by allergy attacks.
Most decongestants may make you feel alerter, but too much may cause restlessness and nervousness. Always follow the directions on the medicine label when taking decongestants; take no more than 1 OTC decongestant at once without consulting with a healthcare provider to do so; taking multiple drugs at the same time increases side effects and increases overdose risks significantly; always read drug fact labels on all medicines to determine their availability as single or multiple drug products and read up on when and how often to take your dose; if necessary consult your pharmacist if necessary!
2. Antihistamines
Antihistamines can help ease symptoms associated with the common cold, such as itchy and watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing. You can take antihistamines in tablet, liquid or nasal spray form. First generation antihistamines like Atkinson’s (hydroxyzine), can start working within 15 minutes and should be taken every 4 to 6 hours for best results; second-generation medications, like Benadryl (diphenhydramine), can be taken every 6-8 hours and often come combined in nighttime cold medicines or sleep aids along with decongestants, pain relievers and cough suppressants; therefore they should not be recommended for children.
3. Muscle relaxants
Muscle relaxants provide your body with restful relief from muscle spasms and tightness (spasticity). They may reduce pain associated with spasms or tightness (spasticity), making life more comfortable for patients suffering from conditions like fibromyalgia or cervical dystonia, in which neck muscles contract involuntary to cause head tilt forward or backward uncontrollably. Skeletal muscle relaxants work by blocking nerve signals to muscles; available as tablets, liquids or injections they include baclofen, Clonazepam Diazepam Etobenzyl Dantrolene and Tizanidine among others.
Expectorants — such as the guaifenesin found in Mucinex and Robitussin cough medicines — loosen thick mucous to make coughing easier, helping clear airways more effectively. Some expectorants also have stimulant properties which provide temporary energy boosts.
Common side-effects of skeletal muscle relaxants may include drowsiness, dry mouth and throat, fast heartbeat, difficulty passing urine, weakness, diarrhoea or sickness symptoms, appetite loss, headache and rash. Other possible effects from taking dantrolene or tizanidine may include respiratory depression, seizures, bloating or abdominal pain in children, severe liver toxicity as well as respiratory depression.
Cold medication addiction is a serious matter that requires professional assistance to effectively address and treat. Recognizing warning signs of overuse can help people avoid developing an addiction, while receiving proper support to ensure recovery.
4. Pain relievers
Coat remedies) as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen) to relieve pain and fever. A few doses may lead to side effects like dizziness and high blood pressure as well as worsening existing medical conditions like acid reflux. Furthermore, taking multiple OTC cold medicines with different active ingredients could result in overdosage.
Most cold symptoms, including runny nose and itchy, watery eyes, tend to subside on their own within one to two weeks. It is important to drink plenty of fluids during this period to help flush away mucus from your nasal passages and throat. A nasal saline solution or warm shower, along with creams or ointments containing herbs such as camphor, menthol or eucalyptus oils may also provide relief from congestion and coughs.
Though many home remedies are safe, such as herbal and dietary supplements have yet to be proven as an effective way to treat or prevent colds. Before trying any alternative medicine or supplement for cold relief, consult your physician first.
The Food and Drug Administration does not advise giving children under 4 any over-the-counter cold medicines as these don’t benefit them and could pose dangerous side effects. Instead, it recommends alternative products like saline spray, neti pots or steam inhalers to clear a stuffy nose.
