Nonprescription Remedies for Common Cold Symptoms
Action | Medication | Some Common Side Effects |
|---|---|---|
Analgesics/antipyretics | ||
Relieve aches and pains and reduce fever | Minimal | |
Stomach irritation Risk of Reye syndrome in children | ||
Stomach irritation | ||
Stomach irritation | ||
Antihistamines* | ||
Open nasal passages and help relieve sneezing | Drowsiness, dry mouth, and, in older adults, blurred vision, difficulty urinating, constipation, light-headedness when they stand, and confusion | |
Cough suppressants | ||
May help reduce cough | Confusion and stomach upset | |
Constipation, drowsiness, difficulty urinating, and stomach upset | ||
Minimal, but at high doses, confusion, nervousness, and irritability | ||
Decongestants, nasal sprays* | ||
Open clogged nasal passages | Xylometazoline | Rebound congestion (worse congestion when the medication wears off) if the medication is used for more than a few days |
Decongestants, oral* | ||
Dries runny nose | Palpitations, high blood pressure, nervousness, and insomnia | |
Anxiety, dizziness, nervousness, and insomnia | ||
Expectorant | ||
May help loosen mucus | Minimal, but at high doses, headache and stomach upset | |
* Decongestants and antihistamines (whether alone or combined) should not be given to children under 4 years old. | ||