About Cold Medicines

Cold medicines are available in both prescription strength and in over-the-counter formulations. Cold medicines are used to reduce the severity of symptoms associated with the common cold, but are not effective at preventing cold symptoms. Moreover, they should not be used to treat bacterial infections, even when those symptoms are similar to those caused by a cold. Treatment with cold medicines should only be done under the supervision of a doctor or pharmacist to prevent drug-to-drug interactions and to reduce the likelihood of serious side effects.

Benefits

• Although not generally a serious medical threat, the common cold can make a person feel very ill for several days to a week. Cold medicines can alleviate most or all of the symptoms of a cold, allowing the sufferer to continue working and tending to daily obligations. When used correctly, cold medicines may also shorten the duration of a cold and prevent some health complications from developing.

Types

• Over-the-counter and prescription cold medicines can be divided into four groups: pain relievers (such as aspirin and acetaminophen), antihistamines, decongestants and cough medicines. Pain relievers help to reduce fever and aches associated with cold symptoms, while antihistamines work by blocking the internal triggers responsible for nasal irritation, itching, mucus production and sneezing. Decongestants alleviate cold symptoms by narrowing the blood vessels in the lining of the nose, reducing blood flow and swelling and unclogging stuffy noses. Cough medicines work in two ways: antitussives suppress coughing, while expectorants thin mucus to make coughing more effective. Anti-viral medications are also available in prescription form, but those are reserved for people who are at risk of developing complications from the cold, such as pneumonia or sinusitis.

Considerations

• Cold medicines are effective at relieving most cold symptoms, but when used incorrectly, they may actually worsen symptoms and lengthen the course of the illness. Read the label on cold medicine bottles carefully and discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your doctor or pharmacist before beginning treatment. If you are taking other medications, it is crucial to determine how your body will react to the addition of a cold medicine. Your existing medication may need to be stopped or changed before a cold medicine is introduced. Never take cold medicine belonging to anyone else and take both prescription and OTC medications exactly as directed by your doctor or as indicated on the product label.

Warning

• In addition to the general considerations when taking cold medicines, some foods must be avoided to prevent potentially serious side effects. Some foods, when consumed at the same time as cold medicines, may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms may become severe enough to cause dehydration, a condition that requires prompt medical attention. Some cold medicines may also cause sensitivity to sunlight, increasing the risk of burns and rashes from even short periods of exposure to the sun. Anyone taking cold medicine also needs to carefully monitor their symptoms and look for signs of a developing bacterial infection. Cold medicines may mask early symptoms of serious complications. Aspirin and other NSAIDs, when taken for prolonged periods of time or in high doses, may cause gastrointestinal bleeding or permanent kidney damage. NSAIDs may also worsen existing hypertension or interfere with medications used to treat high blood pressure. Antihistamines may cause severe drowsiness in some people, resulting in cognitive impairment and an inability to safely drive a vehicle or operate machinery and decongestants may increase blood sugar and cause dangerous heart palpitations.

Misconceptions

• Many people erroneously believe that generic cold medicines are not as effective as brand names, but the truth is that most over-the-counter medications are similar or identical. To be certain, it is important to compare all the ingredients when choosing a cold medicine, including both active and inactive ingredients. It is also crucial to compare the amount of active ingredients the cold medicine contains. This is not always clear, but a pharmacist can answer any questions or concerns you may have.