What are Cold and Cough Medicines

Cold and Cough Medicines -What can you do for your cold or cough symptoms? Besides drinking plenty of fluids and getting plenty of rest, you may want to take medicines. There are lots of different cold and cough medicines, and they do different things.

Nasal decongestants - unclog a stuffy nose

Cough suppressants - quiet a cough

Expectorants - loosen mucus so you can cough it up

Antihistamines - stop runny noses and sneezing

Pain relievers - ease fever, headaches, and minor aches and pains

Here are some other things to keep in mind about cold and cough medicines. Read labels, because many cold and cough medicines contain the same active ingredients. Taking too much of certain pain relievers can lead to serious injury. Do not give cough medicines to children under four, and don't give aspirin to children. Finally, antibiotics won't help a cold.

Lots of cough medicines are available to buy from pharmacies or supermarkets. They usually contain one or more of the following:

  • An antitussive (cough suppressant) - for example, dextromethorphan, or pholcodine.
  • An expectorant - for example, guaifenesin, or ipecacuanha.
  • An antihistamine - brompheniramine, chlorphenamine, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, promethazine, or triprolidine.
  • A decongestant - for example, phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, oxymetazoline, or xylometazoline.

A glycerin, honey and lemon cough medicine is also available to buy. This preparation does not have an active ingredient as such. It is thought to have a soothing action.

Cough medicines can also contain other medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Some contain alcohol.

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