Colds are caused by a virus, and there isn’t an easy fix to prevent them or make them go away. That said, some over-the-counter (OTC) medications may help ease your symptoms.
Millions of Americans get a cold every year, with most people getting
Since most cold medications treat more than one symptom, it can be helpful to identify your most severe symptom and make your choice based on lessening that symptom.
It’s important to try not to take two medications that contain the same active ingredients. If you double up, you may get too much of the drug in your system. This can lead to more side effects or other serious health problems.
Always read labels carefully for expiration dates and side effects.
| Symptom | Brand name | Drug name |
|---|---|---|
| Sinus headache | Advil, Aleve | ibuprofen, naproxen |
| Runny nose | Benadryl | diphenhydramine |
| Stuffy nose | Sudafed, Suphedrine PE | pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine |
| Fever and aches | Advil, Neoprofen, Tylenol | ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen |
| Sore throat and coughing | Delsym 12-hour, Tussin Cough (DM only) | dextromethorphan |
| Nighttime | Benadryl, Unisom | diphenhydramine, doxylamine |
| For children | Children’s Tylenol | acetaminophen |
When symptoms of congestion hit your sinuses, you can feel cranial pressure and “stuffed up” in your nasal passages. Sinus headache is typically the main symptom people associate with a “head cold.”
Treatment for a sinus headache may depend on whether you want to treat the pain from the sinus blockage or the blockage itself.
- Pain relief: Ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) could help reduce your pain.
- Decongestion: A decongestant like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) could help relieve congestion, but has been known to produce a side effect of restlessness or nervousness.
A runny nose is the body’s reaction to the inflammation and irritation caused by a cold virus in the nasal passages.
If you have congestion, taking a decongestant may help improve your runny nose.
However, it’s important to be aware of the potential side effects, such as raising your blood pressure or making your nose and throat feel too dry.
Taking diphenhydramine (Benadryl) might be better for drying up a runny nose if you don’t feel too congested. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine, which means it reduces your body’s natural reaction to irritants and pathogens. This may help if your runny nose is caused by your body releasing histamines.
Benadryl also might make you drowsy, so it’s best to take this medication at bedtime.
A stuffy nose can make breathing harder and linger in the sinuses even after other symptoms fade.
To relieve a stuffy nose, try a decongestant with the active ingredient pseudoephedrine (Sudafed). This helps reduce inflammation in the small blood vessels in your nasal passageways, which may dry up the mucus your body produces and allow you to breathe a little easier.
Phenylephrine is another decongestant available for stuffy nose.
It’s not advisable to take either of these two decongestants more than four times a day.
Learn more about how to clear a stuffy nose.
Fever and aches are
Ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that could help ease fever and aches.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may also provide pain relief from fever and aches, but it doesn’t target inflammation.
If your coughing is making your throat sore, look for a medication that contains dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan may
Some medications that contain dextromethorphan also contain an ingredient called guaifenesin. This ingredient is an expectorant, which thins out mucus and helps your cough to be “productive,” meaning that you’re coughing out mucus that could be aggravating your throat and chest.
Antihistamines may help repress coughing and also make you feel sleepy.
Drugs that contain the antihistamines doxylamine or diphenhydramine might help you sleep easier when you have a cold.
Learn more about 12 ways to get a better night’s sleep with a cold.
Toddlers and infants have different safety concerns when it comes to choosing a medication.
It’s best to consult with a child’s pediatrician before giving them cold medication.
A child’s weight, development, age, and symptom severity will help determine the medication and dosage, if necessary.
If your child is younger than age 6 months, stick to the recommended dose of acetaminophen (children’s Tylenol) for pain relief.
Child-safe OTC versions of ibuprofen, antihistamines, and cough suppressants are available for children ages 2 years and older.
However, it’s important to note the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recommend OTC medications for children ages
Learn more about tips for treating kids with a cold.
Decongestants
The
- oxymetazoline
- phenylephrine
- pseudoephedrine
Instead, take an expectorant, such as guaifenesin, and look for OTC drugs manufactured for people with high blood pressure in mind.
The AHA also recommends avoiding NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, if you’re living with high blood pressure. These can have negative side effects when taken too often.
Follow dosing instructions carefully and speak with a doctor if you’re unsure about how cold medications might interfere with your blood pressure treatment.
In addition to OTC medications to ease symptoms, there are certain home remedies that may also help. The
- getting plenty of rest
- hydrating your body
- trying steam inhalation to help loosen congestion
- using a humidifier to help keep nasal passages clear
- taking honey if you’re age 1 year and older
Learn more about foods and supplements that could help boost your immune system.
Do you need antibiotics for a cough and cold?
Antibiotics don’t treat the common cold. They only treat bacterial infections, and colds are typically caused by a virus.
If you develop a secondary infection caused by bacteria, speak with a healthcare professional about different treatment options.
What is the most effective medicine for a cold?
The best type of medication for the common cold will depend on the type and severity of your symptoms. For example, decongestants may help relieve stuffy nose and congestion causing sinus headaches, while pain relievers may help reduce fever and aches.
What medicine gets rid of a cold the fastest?
There’s no singular, best medication to help cure your cold the fastest. However, combining OTC medications with home remedies like drinking plenty of fluids, resting, and trying steam inhalation could help speed up your recovery.
What do most doctors prescribe for colds?
A doctor may prescribe different types of medications based on your symptoms. These may include NSAIDs, decongestants, antihistamines, and analgesics, among others.
When choosing a cold medication, try choosing one based on the symptoms impacting you the most, and consider the time of day you’re taking them.
Remember to always read dosing guidelines, and do not double up on medications that contain the same active ingredient.
A cold can usually take up to