Table: Nonprescription Remedies for the Common Cold

Home /

StandaloneMedia /

Nonprescription Remedies for the Common Cold

Action	Drug	Some Common Side Effects
Analgesics/antipyretics
Relieve aches and pains and reduce fever	Acetaminophen	Minimal
	Aspirin	Stomach irritation Risk of Reye syndrome Reye Syndrome Reye syndrome is a very rare but life-threatening disorder that causes inflammation and swelling of the brain and impairment and loss of function of the liver. The cause of Reye syndrome is... read more in children
	Ibuprofen	Stomach irritation
	Naproxen	Stomach irritation
Antihistamines*
Open nasal passages and help relieve sneezing	Diphenhydramine Chlorpheniramine	Drowsiness, dry mouth, and, in older people, blurred vision, difficulty urinating, constipation, light-headedness when they stand, and confusion
Cough suppressants
May help reduce cough	Benzonatate	Confusion and stomach upset
	Codeine	Constipation, drowsiness, difficulty urinating, and stomach upset
	Dextromethorphan	Minimal, but at high doses, confusion, nervousness, and irritability
Decongestants, nasal sprays*
Open clogged nasal passages	Naphazoline Oxymetazoline Phenylephrine Xylometazoline	Rebound congestion (worse congestion when the drug wears off) if the drug is used for more than a few days
Decongestants, oral*
Dries runny nose	Pseudoephedrine	Palpitations, high blood pressure, nervousness, and insomnia
	Phenylephrine	Anxiety, dizziness, nervousness, and insomnia
Expectorant
May help loosen mucus	Guaifenesin	Minimal, but at high doses, headache and stomach upset
*Decongestants and antihistamines (whether alone or combined) should not be given to children under 4 years old.

Merck Manual

Leave this Site?

Nonprescription Remedies for the Common Cold