- Antibiotics. Many people with nagging symptoms of cough and colds will ask their healthcare provider for antibiotics.
- Antihistamines and Decongestants. Antihistamines work by blocking the release of histamine, which is a natural substance our bodies release when we're exposed to allergens.
- Antiviral Medications. Antivirals are medications that specifically target viruses in an effort to prevent them from reproducing.
- Cough Medicines. Coughing is your body's natural way of clearing your airways and preventing pneumonia. You can expect to cough at some phase of the cold or flu.
- Nasal Steroids. Nasal steroids relieve the symptoms of a runny nose or sinus pressure, although they won't cure a cold or the flu.
Full Answer
What kind of medicine can I take for a cold?
Cough suppressants, antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal steroids are prescription cold and/or flu medications that can help provide you some symptom relief, while the main job of antivirals and antibiotics is to stop what's causing your illness in its tracks. When to See a Doctor About Cold and Flu Symptoms
What medicine can I take for a runny nose with flu?
People with a cold or flu may experience a runny nose, or rhinitis. However, no OTC medicine can help relieve a runny nose due to a cold. , such as ipratropium bromide 0.03% nasal spray, may help reduce a runny nose. However, this medicine requires a prescription from a doctor. Sometimes, a runny nose is a symptom of an allergic reaction.
Can I take a decongestant with a cold medicine?
FAQ: Cough and Cold Medicines. It depends on what's bothering you. If your nose and sinuses are stuffed up, a decongestant may help. You can use it alone or combine it with an antihistamine. Remember, though, it can increase your heart rate and may cause anxiety or make it hard to fall asleep.
Can you take cold medicine if you have high blood pressure?
FAQ: Cough and Cold Medicines. If you have high blood pressure, it's a good idea to check with your doctor or pharmacist to find out what's right for you. You can also try decongestant-free cold medicines, such as Coricidin HBP. For in-depth information, see WebMD's article on Decongestants and Antihistamines.
What drug could be prescribed to a patient with a cold?
Cough suppressants, antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal steroids are prescription cold and/or flu medications that can help provide you some symptom relief, while the main job of antivirals and antibiotics is to stop what's causing your illness in its tracks.
Does Medicare cover cough medicine?
It helps to stop or reduce coughing and congestion. It is more popular than comparable drugs. Promethazine/codeine is only available as a generic drug; all brands have been discontinued. Generic promethazine/codeine is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans, but some pharmacy coupons and cash prices may be lower.
Does Medicare pay for cough syrup?
Do Medicare prescription drug plans cover guaifenesin / codeine? No. In general, Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D) do not cover this drug.
What prescriptions does Medicare cover?
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) includes limited drug coverage. It doesn't cover most drugs you get at the pharmacy. You'll need to join a Medicare drug plan or health plan with drug coverage to get Medicare coverage for prescription drugs for most chronic conditions, like high blood pressure.
What OTC items are covered by Medicare?
Medicare Advantage over-the-counter drug cards help cover the cost of OTC drugs....What Can I Purchase With my Medicare Advantage OTC Card?Cold and cough medications.Flu medication.Antibiotic ointment.Band-Aids.Denture-related products.Digestive medications.First-aid materials.Orthopedic support.More items...
Are any drugs covered under Medicare Part B?
Generally, Part B covers drugs that usually aren't self-administered. These drugs can be given in a doctor's office as part of their service. In a hospital outpatient department, coverage generally is limited to drugs that are given by infusion or injection.
Does Medicare Part D cover over the counter drugs?
Generally, your Medicare drug plan only covers prescription drugs and won't pay for over-the-counter drugs, like aspirin or laxatives. Your Medicare drug plan will only cover prescription drugs that are on its formulary (drug list), unless it's covered by an exception.
Does Medicare cover Benzonatate?
Does Medicare cover Benzonatate and how much does it cost? Benzonatate is not covered by Medicare prescription plans. Customers who have a free SingleCare savings card could save money and pay a discounted rate of $3.63 for 30, 100MG Capsule of generic Benzonatate on their prescription.
Does Medicare B pay for prescriptions?
Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services. covers a limited number of outpatient prescription drugs under certain conditions. A part of a hospital where you get outpatient services, like an emergency department, observation unit, surgery center, or pain clinic.
Does Medicare cover 90 day prescriptions?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare drug plans must relax their “refill-too-soon” policy. Plans must let you get up to a 90-day supply in one fill unless quantities are more limited for safety reasons.
Is GoodRx better than Medicare Part D?
GoodRx can also help you save on over-the-counter medications and vaccines. GoodRx prices are lower than your Medicare copay. In some cases — but not all — GoodRx may offer a cheaper price than what you'd pay under Medicare. You won't reach your annual deductible.
Is it worth getting Medicare Part D?
Most people will need Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Even if you're fortunate enough to be in good health now, you may need significant prescription drugs in the future. A relatively small Part D payment entitles you to outsized benefits once you need them, just like with a car or home insurance.
Drugs used to treat Cold Symptoms
The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this condition.
Alternative treatments for Cold Symptoms
The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Cold Symptoms. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Cold Symptoms.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
How old should a child be to take cold medicine?
Your child’s weight, development, age, and symptom severity help to determine the medication and dosage. If your child is younger than 6 months , stick to acetaminophen for pain relief.
What is the best medicine for a fever?
Treating the inflammation can bring down your pain levels and soothe discomfort. Fever and aches are best treated by ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), as is naproxen. Acetaminophen is another pain reliever that can treat fever and aches.
How to treat sinus headaches?
To treat a sinus headache, decide if you’d like to treat the pain from your sinus blockage or the actual blockage itself. Ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) can reduce your pain. A decongestant like pseudoephedrine can thin out your congestion, but it might take a few doses before your sinus pressure goes away.
How to get rid of a stuffy nose?
To loosen up a stuffy nose, take a decongestant with the active ingredient pseudoephedrine. It thins out the mucus that your body produces, allowing it to escape your inflamed nasal passages so you can breathe easy again. Phenylephrine is another decongestant available for stuffy nose.
What to do if you cough so much?
If your coughing is making your throat sore, look for a medication that contains dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan helps control your brain’s signal to your body that you need to cough. This can decrease your coughing symptoms enough to promote healing of a sore throat, but it doesn’t treat the cause of your coughing.
What are the ingredients in decongestants?
Decongestants can be dangerous for people who have high blood pressure. The Mayo Clinic recommends you avoid the following active ingredients: 1 pseudoephedrine 2 ephedrine 3 phenylephrine 4 naphazoline 5 oxymetazoline
How long does it take for a cold to go away?
Remember to always read dosing guidelines, and don’t double up on medications that contain the same active ingredient. A cold can take 7 to 10 days to resolve. If you’re still feeling sick after that, or if your symptoms start to worsen, see a doctor. Last medically reviewed on January 8, 2019.
What is the best cough suppressant?
Antitussives help to quiet a cough and can be used at night when coughing is keeping you awake. The generic drug dextromethorphan is the common cough suppressant found in many over-the-counter cough medicines including: 9. Delsym.
What is the best medicine for a runny nose?
For nasal symptoms including a stuffy or runny nose and sneezing, many people turn to antihistamines. Antihistamines are commonly used to treat allergic rhinitis. They work by blocking the receptor for histamine, a chemical released in response to an allergen.
Which is better, Aleve or Asprin?
Aleve (naprox en) Asprin. Overall, analgesics relieve pain and reduce fever, though some do this more effectively than others. Aspirin and acetaminophen are generally better at treating fevers and headaches, while ibuprofen and naproxen may be better at reducing pain.
Can you take cough medicine with a cold?
Cough Medicine. Treating a cough from a cold or flu can be tricky. You first want to evaluate your cough to determine the type of cough medicine that you need. A dry cough may benefit from taking an antitussive cough suppressant, while a wet and productive cough typically requires an expectorant.
Can you take decongestants in nasal spray?
Decongestants can be taken orally or in a nasal spray. Oral decongestants include Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) and Sudafed PE (phenylephrine). Pseudoephedrine comes in regular and extended-release tablets and liquid, and in combination cold and allergy medications. Although it is an over-the-counter medicine, pseudoephedrine is controlled ...
What is the best medicine for cold and flu?
You have two main choices in the cold-and-fluaisle: Cough suppressants, like dextromethorphan, can provide relief for a short time. They work on the part of your brainthat controls the process. Expectorants, like guaifenesin, can break up congestion in your chest by thinning the mucus in your airways.
How to get rid of colds?
Other more traditional remedies might help relieve common colddiscomfort, too. Drink plenty of liquids, including chicken soup. It can make you feel better.
How to reduce fever from a sore throat?
Each type of medicine has risks, so check with your doctor or pharmacist as to which type of pain reliever or fever reducer is best for you. Drinking lots of fluids and using salt water gargles (made by mixing a cup of warm water and a teaspoon of salt) can often ease the pain of a sore throat.
How to get rid of a sore throat?
To relieve a sore throat, gargle with warm salt water, use throat sprays, and suck on ice or lozenges. Try a saltwater nasal rinse. These can help with a stuffy or runny nose. Use petroleum jelly on your nose if it’s irritated from constant blowing.
How to help with redness and soreness?
Facial tissues with added lotions can help prevent, and heal, redness and soreness. Use a humidifier to help break up phlegm. Do what you can to make yourself as comfortable as possible, and rest while your body fights the cold virus. WebMD Medical Reference . Sources .
Is zinc good for colds?
Maybe you've heard that vitamin C, echinacea, and zinc are good for a cold. They aren’t cures, but vitamin Cand zinc may shorten the length of an illness. Research on echinacea has been mixed. Before you try these products, check with your doctor to make sure they’ll work well with other medicines you’re taking.
Is it okay to take ibuprofen with a cold?
These symptoms are usually mild with a cold compared to a more serious illness, like the flu. Still, if you feel bad and can’t rest, most experts agree it’s OK to take something to ease pain and lower a fever, like acetaminophenor ibuprofen. Fever may be a good thing.
What is the best medicine for a runny nose?
Topical anticholinergics. Trusted Source. , such as ipratropium bromide 0.03% nasal spray, may help reduce a runny nose. However, this medicine requires a prescription from a doctor. Sometimes, a runny nose is a symptom of an allergic reaction. If this symptom is due to an allergy and not a cold, antihistamines may help.
How long does it take for a toddler to get a cold?
A cold will typically run its course over 1–2 weeks.
How old do you have to be to take cough syrup?
However, doctors do not recommend codeine cough syrup for people under the age of 18. Acetaminophen is the fever- and pain-relieving medicine of choice for babies under 6 months old. Ibuprofen is safe in most children after 6 months of age.
How long can you use nasal spray?
Topical nasal sprays offer quick relief but may cause rebound congestion with overuse. People should restrict using decongestants to a maximum of 3 consecutive days. Oral decongestants, including pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, are effective for the short-term relief of nasal congestion.
Can you take OTC medicine for a cold?
Although the common cold is uncomfortable, it will usually resolve on its own with time. OTC medicines may help ease the symptoms, but they will not cure the common cold. Some people wish to avoid using OTC medicines and try home remedies instead. For example, doctors recommend resting for the first few days.
Can expectorant help with cough?
This is an expectorant that manufacturers claim can help loosen mucus and phlegm. People with a dry cough, which is a cough that does not produce mucus, may take a cough suppressant. Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant present in many cold and flu medicines.
Can decongestants raise blood pressure?
Oral decongestants can raise blood pressure. Therefore, in people with uncontrolled hypertension, decongestants may be harmful. People with high blood pressure and those who are taking blood pressure medications should speak with a doctor or pharmacist before taking a cold medicine with a decongestant.
What is the best medicine for cough?
Acetaminophen or other medicines like ibuprofen are your best choices. Each medication has its own risks, so check with your doctor to see which is best for you. Be careful not to overdose. These drugs are often mixed in with other cough and cold medicines you may also be taking.
How to avoid colds naturally?
For in-depth information, see Vitamin C for the Common Cold. To avoid colds the natural way, it's best to make sure you've got a well-nourished immune system . Experts say a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help you ward off infections like colds and the flu.
How to get rid of a sore throat?
Mix up a batch by combining a cup of warm water and a teaspoon of salt. Acetaminophen or medicated lozenges and gargles can also temporarily soothe your sore throat. But see your doctor if you have a fever, a lot of pain, or you find it hard to swallow. You may have strep throat and need antibiotics.
How long can you use nasal decongestant?
But if you use them for more than 3 days in a row, you may end up more stuffed up than you were before. Doctors call this the "rebound effect.". Some side effects of nasal decongestants are having a hard time falling asleep, restlessness, and trouble peeing. You might try a saline spray instead of a nasal decongestant.
What to do if you have a runny nose?
If you have a runny nose or sneezing, try an antihistamine. Some types may have diphenhydramine, which can make you drowsy. Be careful if you need to drive or use machinery. You can also try non-sedating antihistamines, which don't make you as sleepy. Dry mouth is another common side effect of antihistamines.
Can you give cold medicine to kids?
Children have special needs when it comes to cold medicine. Don't give over-the-counter cough and cold drugs to children under 4. Although kids' cold medicines may still be on the shelves at your drugstore, talk to your child's doctor before using them.
Can antihistamines make you sleepy?
Antihistamines, which can make you sleepy, are in "nighttime" versions. If you try a combination cold medicine, make sure you can safely use the specific ingredients. For instance, if you have high blood pressure or heart disease, avoid ones that have decongestants, which can make those conditions worse.
What are some ways to get rid of a cold?
The list of ineffective cold remedies is long. Some of the more common ones that don't work include: 1 Antibiotics. These attack bacteria, but they're no help against cold viruses. Avoid asking your doctor for antibiotics for a cold or using old antibiotics you have on hand. You won't get well any faster, and inappropriate use of antibiotics contributes to the serious and growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. 2 Over-the-counter cold and cough medications in young children. OTC cold and cough medications may cause serious and even life-threatening side effects in children. Talk with your child's doctor before giving any medications.
How to make yourself miserable with colds?
It's tempting to try the latest remedy, but the best thing you can do is take care of yourself. Rest, drink fluids and keep the air around you moist. Remember to wash your hands frequently.
How to heal a sore throat from a swollen throat?
Rest. Your body needs rest to heal. Soothe a sore throat. A saltwater gargle — 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in an 8-ounce glass of warm water — can temporarily relieve a sore or scratchy throat.
How long do you stay sick after catching a cold?
If you catch a cold, you can expect to be sick for one to two weeks. That doesn't mean you have to be miserable. These remedies might help you feel better:
How to get rid of coughing in older adults?
Honey may help coughs in adults and children who are older than age 1. Try it in hot tea. Add moisture to the air. A cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier can add moisture to your home, which might help loosen congestion. Change the water daily, and clean the unit according to the manufacturer's instructions.
How to help a coughing child?
Sip warm liquids. A cold remedy used in many cultures, taking in warm liquids, such as chicken soup, tea or warm apple juice, might be soothing and might ease congestion by increasing mucus flow. Try honey. Honey may help coughs in adults and children who are older than age 1. Try it in hot tea.
Can you take aspirin with chickenpox?
Though aspirin is approved for use in children older than age 3, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. This is because aspirin has been linked to Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, in such children. Sip warm liquids.
Question
What is a good over-the-counter chest cold congestion medicine, for someone with high blood pressure?
Answer
While cold medications do not necessarily make a cold go away any more quickly, they can certainly ease some of the discomfort until it clears.
Who Should Get An Annual Flu Shot
The Centers for Disease Control recommends the following groups receive an annual flu vaccine shot between November and February :
What Else Can I Do To Prevent Getting Colds And The Flu
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or alcoholic hand wipes. Cold and flu viruses are spread by touching your nose or mouth after touching an infected person, breathing in the air of an infected person’s sneeze or cough, or touching objects that have come in contact with the virus and then touching your nose.
What Is Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease, sometimes called CKD, is an umbrella term for several conditions that affect the kidneys, but it generally means permanent and usually progressive damage to the kidneys caused by a variety of conditions.
Keeping Kidneys Safe: Smart Choices About Medicines
If blood pressure medicines help my kidneys, why all this extra caution?
Dialysis And Over The Counter Medications
It is safe to take most over the counter allergy medications in the normal doses as they are eliminated from your body through the liver. If you have liver problems check with your pharmacist or physician first before using.
Flu Vaccines For People With Ckd
Injectable influenza vaccines are recommended for use in people with CKD and other health conditions. The flu shot has a long, established safety record in people with CKD.
Symptoms Of Chronic Kidney Disease
Most people with CKD have no symptoms because the body can tolerate even a large reduction in kidney function.
