COMMON
COLD
MEDICATIONS
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Produced by:
University of Virginia
Department of Student Health
400 Brandon Ave.
P.O. Box 800760
Charlottesville, Virginia 22908-0760
Telephone: 434–924-5362
Copyright © 1985 by the Rector and Visitors of the University of
Virginia
All rights reserved.
Revised 10/13
UPJ–222439/1187
The following list indicates the major types of non-prescription medications available for cold symptom relief. Student
Health does not endorse any one brand over another; discount stores often carry their own products which are cheaper
in price and contain the same active ingredients as brand name products. When taking multiple cold medications, check
active ingredients on the label. Do not combine medicines with the same active ingredients.
TYPE
ANALGESICS
ACTION
Reduce aches and
fevers
COUGH
SUPPRESSANTS
Suppress cough
reflex.
COUGH
EXPECTORANTS
Loosen secretions.
ORAL
DECONGESTANTS*
Relieve nasal stuffiness
by promoting nasal
drainage and reducing
swollen nasal passages.
NASAL SPRAYS
Fast relief of nasal
stuffiness by promoting
nasal drainage and
reducing swollen nasal
passages.
ANTIHISTAMINES
Dry nasal secretions;
relieve allergy symptoms
of sneezing, runny nose
and watery, itchy eyes.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS BRAND NAMES
Advil
Motrin
Produces stomach upset in some
people. Take with full glass of water
or milk, not on an empty stomach.
Avoid if you have ulcers.
Naproxen Sodium
Aleve
See "Ibuprofen" above.
Acetaminophen
Tylenol, Paracetamol
Usually none.
Ibuprofen
Dextromethorphan
Mucinex DM
Robitussin DM
Robitussin Cough Gels
Delsym
Usually none.
Guaifenesin
Robitussin
Mucinex
Usually none.
Sudafed
Advil Cold & Sinus
Mucinex D
Sudafed PE
Sleeplessness.
Nervousness.
Increased heart rate.
Dizziness.
Afrin Spray
4-Way Nasal Spray
Neo-Synephrine
Usually none; however, should be
used no more
than 4 days to avoid “rebound
effect” of
increased nasal congestion.
Pseudoephedrine (restricted access - ask the pharmacist)
Phenylephrine
Various agents
Doxylamine Succinate
Chlorpheniramine
maleate
Diphenhydramine
Clemastine fumarate
Loratidine
Cetirizine
Fexofenadine
COMBINATION
PRODUCTS
Contain combinations of
two or three of the
above drugs for relief of
cold symptoms. Read
labels carefully before
taking. Many also contain Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
SIDE EFFECTS
Chlor-Trimeton
Benadryl
Tavist
Dry Mouth.
Drowsiness; avoid drinking, driving
or operating power tools. Best to
take at bedtime.
Claritin
Zyrtec
Allegra
Nonsedating
Sudafed Sinus
Actifed
Comtrex
Dayquil/Nyquil
Claritin D
NyQuil Cough Relief
Combinations of the above.
*DO NOT USE DECONGESTANTS OR ATROPINE-CONTAINING PREPARATIONS IF YOU HAVE ASTHMA, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, THYROID DISEASE, DIABETES,
HEART DISEASE OR GLAUCOMA.
* CHECK LABELS TO ASSURE NOT TAKING PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE, WITHDRAWN FROM THE MARKET.