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People are often confused
about which over-the-counter products might be helpful
for colds, flu, sinus symptoms, allergies, and related
problems. This
sheet does not list every product or every type of
medication, but it may help you sort out things to
look for and things to avoid.
With any
medication, whether prescription or over-the-counter,
it is important to follow the instructions exactly. Please read the
instructions on the box, and pay special attention to
any warnings about when NOT to take the medication.
All medicines have two (or
more) names: a generic name and one or more
brand names. Knowing
how to recognize these and understanding what they do
in the body can help you choose the most appropriate
over-the-counter product.
|
Generic
name
|
Brand
name(s)
|
Purpose
|
Other
notes
|
|
acetaminophen
|
Tylenol, store brands
|
Relieves pain, reduces fever
|
|
|
chlorpheniramine maleate
|
Chlor-Trimeton, combo
products, store brands
|
Antihistamine; controls sneeze, itch,
runny nose
|
Makes some people very sleepy; only
lasts 4-6 hours
|
|
dextromethorphan
|
In Robitussin-DM, Mucinex-DM, DexAlone,
others
|
Suppresses cough
|
|
|
diphenhydramine
|
Benadryl, store brands
|
Antihistamine; controls sneeze, itch,
runny nose
|
Makes some people very sleepy; only
lasts 4-6 hours
|
|
guaifenisin
|
Mucinex, Mucinex DM, combo products
|
Thins and loosens mucus and secretions
|
Take with lots of clear fluids for best
effect
|
|
ibuprofen
|
Motrin, Aleve, store brands
|
Relieves pain, reduces
fever
|
Can be hard on the stomach. Avoid if
sensitive/allergic to aspirin.
|
|
naproxen sodium
|
Aleve Cold & Sinus, others
|
Pain reliever
|
|
|
pheniramine maleate
|
TheraFlu, combo products
|
Antihistamine; controls
sneeze, itch, runny nose
|
Makes some people very sleepy; only
lasts 4-6 hours
|
|
phenylephrine
|
TheraFlu, Duraphen II,
combo products
|
Decreases nasal congestion
|
May raise blood pressure, so use
cautiously.
Can dry mucus and make it harder to
clear.
|
|
pseudephedrine
|
Sudafed; ingredient in many combo
products, store brands
|
Decreases nasal congestion
|
May raise blood pressure, so use
cautiously.
Can dry mucus and make it harder to
clear.
|
FOR EXAMPLE, the back of an
over-the-counter product might show a box like this:
|
acetaminophen _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
|
Relieves pain and
reduces fever
|
|
pseudephedrine _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
|
Decreases nasal
congestion
|
|
dextromethorphan _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
|
Suppresses cough
|
This combination might be a
good choice for someone who felt achy and had a stuffy
nose and cough (and no blood pressure problems). But if sneezing
and a runny nose were primary complaints, the person
might want to look for a product containing an
antihistamine. In
some cases, it will be easiest to tailor therapy to
the specific problem by buying products separately;
for instance, have Tylenol (acetaminophen) for use
when achiness is troublesome, and Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
for use when the sneezing and runny nose are the
worst. This
can allow for greater control over what you or your
family receive.
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