Understanding what each medicine does is important in answering this question. A decongestant helps reduce swelling in the nasal passageways by shrinking the blood vessels. It helps you breathe easier because it relieves the pressure and improves airflow.
Antihistamine blocks the body from releasing a chemical called histamine. Your body releases this chemical in response to an allergy. Many over-the-counter OTC products can relieve cold and flu symptoms. However, the variety of products available can sometimes be overwhelming. People need to know which symptoms they want to relieve when choosing a cold medicine. Choosing the wrong medicine for the symptoms will mean that the medicine does not help.
However, certain medicines may be unsuitable for people with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, and young children. Some medicines may also cause side effects. This article reviews the best cold medicines for a runny nose, a stuffy nose, wet or dry coughs, and for children.
It also looks at cold medicine interactions and how people can take care of themselves at home. People with a cold or flu may experience a runny nose, or rhinitis. However, no OTC medicine can help relieve a runny nose due to a cold. Topical anticholinergics , such as ipratropium bromide 0. However, this medicine requires a prescription from a doctor. Sometimes, a runny nose is a symptom of an allergic reaction.
If this symptom is due to an allergy and not a cold, antihistamines may help. Learn about some home remedies that may help with a runny nose here. Decongestants can help relieve a stuffy nose. Both topical and oral decongestants are available over the counter. Topical nasal sprays offer quick relief but may cause rebound congestion with overuse. People should restrict using decongestants to a maximum of 3 consecutive days. Oral decongestants, including pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, are effective for the short-term relief of nasal congestion.
However, some people may experience side effects from decongestants, such as insomnia or increases in heart rate or blood pressure.
Some cold medicines contain other ingredients, such as antihistamines. People typically use antihistamines for allergies, but because they can cause drowsiness, manufacturers also add them to nighttime cold and flu formulations. This can help people if they have difficulty getting to sleep.
Adding an antihistamine to a decongestant does not guarantee that a person will fall asleep. Also, people should stop using decongestants at nighttime if they find that they cause insomnia. People with a cold or flu may experience a cough. Doctors do not recommend medicines that suppress a cough for people with a wet cough. People with a wet cough may take guaifenesin. This is an expectorant that manufacturers claim can help loosen mucus and phlegm. People with a dry cough, which is a cough that does not produce mucus, may take a cough suppressant.
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant present in many cold and flu medicines. It acts on parts of the brain to stop a person from coughing. People must read the full ingredient list to make sure that they are not taking medicines that do not fit their symptoms or that may interfere with other medications they take.
A pharmacist can help a person choose a safe product. Also, according to the Food and Drug Administration FDA , a person should not take multiple medicines that contain acetaminophen at the same time. In some countries, people can purchase codeine cough syrup without a prescription. Codeine does not help people with coughs caused by a cold virus. Evidence suggests that codeine may help suppress a cough in humans only in some situations. Most stuffy noses are caused by infection with a virus, so antibiotics are powerless in treating them.
Antibiotics are only effective in treating infections caused by bacteria. Still, there are warning signs that your congestion may be a sign of something more serious, such as a sinus infection. See a doctor if you experience congestion symptoms that last more than 7 to 10 days, cause an earache , are accompanied by a fever of more than By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: May 30, Medically Reviewed. National Library of Medicine , frequent causes of stuffy nose include: Common cold Flu Sinus infection Hay fever or other allergies Overuse of some over-the-counter nasal sprays or drops Irritants, including dry air, air pollution, alcohol, certain medications, spicy foods, and strong odors, such as perfumes and cleaning products Nasal polyps, marked by small benign sacs made up of inflamed tissues that can grow large enough to impair breathing through your nose.
Reach for a Decongestant. Consider an Antihistamine. Seek Out Zinc. Just Add Water. Chicken Soup to the Rescue.
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