The "best" cold medicine targets your specific symptoms, with options like ibuprofen/acetaminophen for fever/aches, pseudoephedrine (behind the counter) or nasal sprays (oxymetazoline) for stuffiness, and dextromethorphan for coughs, but remember these treat symptoms, not the virus; consult a pharmacist or doctor, especially for children (avoid aspirin) or existing conditions, and use nasal sprays sparingly.
Best Cold Medicine for Fever and Aches
“Typically, we recommend an analgesic such as acetaminophen for fever and reserve anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen for conditions that are inflammatory in nature. These conditions are often characterized by redness, swelling, pain or warmth.
No medication can cure a cold. But some therapies may be effective for symptom relief: A combination of antihistamines and decongestants for nasal symptoms. Acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen for fever and aches.
Safe medications and remedies during pregnancy
Prescription Medications for Colds or Flu
Since most colds and upper respiratory infections are caused by viruses, your urgent care doctor can't cure you. Antibiotics are ineffective at treating viral infections. Your doctor may offer support for severe symptoms, such as anti-inflammatories or steroid injections if no secondary infection is found.
Although not fully proven, large doses of vitamin C may help reduce how long a cold lasts. Large doses of vitamin C do not protect against getting a cold. Vitamin C may also be helpful for those exposed to brief periods of severe or extreme physical activity.
When used as directed, Vicks VapoRub is safe to use during pregnancy.
Colds are not dangerous for you or your baby, and will usually get better in a few days.
Medical experts advise against using the following medication when you're pregnant: Cough mixtures, like Benylin, Bisolvin and Mucospect. Antihistamines, like Telfast and Loratidine. Flu medications, like Degoran, Advil, Flutex, Sinutba or Demazin.
Do
Coughing and Sneezing—Within a few days of a viral infection, the fluid from a runny nose may change color from clear to yellow to green. 4 Mucus is designed to trap offending viruses, which are efficiently and quickly expelled from the body through coughing and sneezing.
There's no cure for a cold. You have to let it run its course. Most colds go away on their own within seven to 10 days and don't turn into anything more serious.
The signs and symptoms of flu can include fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue (tiredness). Cold symptoms are usually milder than the symptoms of flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose.
Choose immune-boosting nutrients
There are several good options among antihistamines to dry up a runny nose, including diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Nytol), brompheniramine (Dimetapp Cold, Robitussin Cold & Allergy, Allergy Elixir), and doxylamine (Alka-Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold Medicine, NyQuil).
How can I treat a cold when pregnant?
Someone who is sick can spread the virus to a baby by talking, sneezing or coughing. Direct contact. Someone with a cold who touches a baby's hand can spread the cold virus to the baby. The baby then can get the virus by touching the eyes, nose or mouth.
Pseudoephedrine and pregnancy
Pseudoephedrine is not recommended in pregnancy because it can reduce the blood flow in the placenta and to the baby. There is some evidence that pseudoephedrine, taken in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, may be associated with birth defects, although this evidence is not strong.
There are several steps you can take to alleviate the discomfort of nasal congestion or allergies during pregnancy.
For a pregnancy-safe sore throat, focus on hydration, rest, and home remedies like gargling with warm salt water, sipping honey and lemon tea, and using lozenges with local anesthetics (like benzocaine) or antiseptics (like menthol). Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) are generally safe, but always consult your doctor before taking any medication, avoiding NSAIDs like ibuprofen and decongestants in the first trimester.
Vicks VapoRub doesn't clear up congestion in the nose. But its strong menthol odor may trick your brain. So you might feel like you're breathing through an unclogged nose. Vicks VapoRub is an ointment that's rubbed on the throat and chest to relieve a cough.
Vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and other supplements may provide an edge against colds and the flu, but they should only serve to complement your main defensive arsenal: good hygiene, proper hydration, healthy diet, restful sleep, stress control, and exercise.
So taking Emergen-C or similar products isn't likely to prevent you from getting sick. But it is possible they may help you feel better a little faster. Low levels of some vitamins and minerals can weaken your immune system. But taking extra amounts won't necessarily treat or prevent infections like the common cold.
1. Orange Juice. A cup of fresh-squeezed 100% orange juice provides 120% of your daily vitamin C needs, making it one of the best sources you can drink.