How to Choose Over-the-Counter Cold and Flu Meds
How to Choose Over-the-Counter Cold and Flu Meds
Most cold and flu drugs attack symptoms, not the specific viruses that cause the illnesses. They aren't a cure, but they can make you feel better or shorten your illness.
There's no one right way to treat a cold or the flu. But here are some questions you can ask your pharmacist to get the correct over-the-counter medication for you.
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This depends on your symptoms. If you have nasal or sinus congestion, then a decongestant can help. If you have drainage -- either a runny nose or postnasal drip or itchy, watery eyes -- then an antihistamine could work.
Over-the-counter antihistamines could make you drowsy. Decongestants might make you hyper or keep your awake. Antihistamines can thicken mucus, which can be a problem for people with asthma.
Both of these medications may mix poorly with other drugs, like those that treat heart disease, and they may worsen some conditions, like high blood pressure. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which one is best for you.
This type of medicine can increase blood pressure and heart rate, and raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Pseudoephedrine is the main decongestant taken by mouth that's available. In general, if your blood pressure is well controlled with medications, then a decongestant shouldn't be a problem as long as you closely watch your BP. This may not be true with certain types of blood pressure drugs, so check with your doctor or pharmacist about what may be best for you.
Nasal decongestants work fast to open your airways. But if you use them for more than 3 days in a row, you may end up more stuffy than you were at the start.
Some doctors suggest using a saline spray instead of a medicated spray. It may take longer to work, but you won’t have problems down the line.
An occasional cough clears the gunk from your lungs. But one that goes on and on needs treatment.
On the shelf you'll find tons of cough medicines with a zillion combinations of decongestants, antihistamines, analgesics/antipyretics, cough suppressants, and expectorants. Ask your pharmacist which, if any, would be right for you.
There's no one right way to treat a cold or the flu. But here are some questions you can ask your pharmacist to get the correct over-the-counter medication for you.
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1. Should I take a decongestant or an antihistamine?
This depends on your symptoms. If you have nasal or sinus congestion, then a decongestant can help. If you have drainage -- either a runny nose or postnasal drip or itchy, watery eyes -- then an antihistamine could work.
Over-the-counter antihistamines could make you drowsy. Decongestants might make you hyper or keep your awake. Antihistamines can thicken mucus, which can be a problem for people with asthma.
Both of these medications may mix poorly with other drugs, like those that treat heart disease, and they may worsen some conditions, like high blood pressure. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which one is best for you.
2. Is it safe to take a decongestant if I have high blood pressure?
This type of medicine can increase blood pressure and heart rate, and raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Pseudoephedrine is the main decongestant taken by mouth that's available. In general, if your blood pressure is well controlled with medications, then a decongestant shouldn't be a problem as long as you closely watch your BP. This may not be true with certain types of blood pressure drugs, so check with your doctor or pharmacist about what may be best for you.
3. How often should I use nasal spray?
Nasal decongestants work fast to open your airways. But if you use them for more than 3 days in a row, you may end up more stuffy than you were at the start.
Some doctors suggest using a saline spray instead of a medicated spray. It may take longer to work, but you won’t have problems down the line.
4. What's the deal with cough medicine?
An occasional cough clears the gunk from your lungs. But one that goes on and on needs treatment.
On the shelf you'll find tons of cough medicines with a zillion combinations of decongestants, antihistamines, analgesics/antipyretics, cough suppressants, and expectorants. Ask your pharmacist which, if any, would be right for you.
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