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Medications for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Other names: Respiratory Tract Infection, Upper; URI; URTI

Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI) is a term used to describe acute infections of the nose, throat, ears, and sinuses. Most URTIs are caused by viruses.

They are the most common illness to result in missed days off work or school. Symptoms of an URTI include:

  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Nasal congestion
  • Nasal discharge
  • Sinus pain or headache
  • Sneezing
  • Sore throat.

URTIs can happen throughout the year but are more common in the fall and winter. Most URTIs resolve without any treatment; however, some people, such as people with asthma or cancer, are at a higher risk of complications such as pneumonia.

Drugs used to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
doxycycline 6.0 67 reviews for doxycycline to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Rx D N X
Generic name:
doxycycline systemic
Brand names:
Doryx, Vibramycin, Doxy 100, Monodox, Doryx MPC, Oraxyl
Drug class:
tetracyclines, miscellaneous antimalarials
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
azithromycin 6.8 67 reviews for azithromycin to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
azithromycin systemic
Brand names:
Azithromycin Dose Pack, Zithromax
Drug class:
macrolides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
amoxicillin 6.1 15 reviews for amoxicillin to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
amoxicillin systemic
Brand name:
Amoxil
Drug class:
aminopenicillins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Azithromycin Dose Pack 4.8 9 reviews for Azithromycin Dose Pack to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
azithromycin systemic
Drug class:
macrolides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Augmentin 6.4 27 reviews for Augmentin to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
amoxicillin / clavulanate systemic
Drug class:
beta-lactamase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
cephalexin 7.0 23 reviews for cephalexin to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
cephalexin systemic
Brand name:
Keflex
Drug class:
first generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Zithromax 8.6 12 reviews for Zithromax to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
azithromycin systemic
Drug class:
macrolides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
amoxicillin / clavulanate 6.6 42 reviews for amoxicillin / clavulanate to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
amoxicillin / clavulanate systemic
Brand names:
Augmentin, Augmentin XR, Amoclan
Drug class:
beta-lactamase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Amoxil 6.0 3 reviews for Amoxil to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
amoxicillin systemic
Drug class:
aminopenicillins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
clarithromycin 5.3 73 reviews for clarithromycin to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Rx C N
Generic name:
clarithromycin systemic
Brand name:
Biaxin XL
Drug class:
macrolides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Keflex 5.4 5 reviews for Keflex to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
cephalexin systemic
Drug class:
first generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Bactrim 2.0 2 reviews for Bactrim to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Rx D N X
Generic name:
sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim systemic
Drug class:
sulfonamides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
cefuroxime 7.4 13 reviews for cefuroxime to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
cefuroxime systemic
Brand names:
Ceftin, Zinacef
Drug class:
second generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim 4.1 16 reviews for sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Rx D N X
Generic name:
sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim systemic
Brand names:
Bactrim, Septra, Septra DS, Co-trimoxazole, Sulfatrim Pediatric
Drug class:
sulfonamides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Doryx 10 2 reviews for Doryx to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Rx D N X
Generic name:
doxycycline systemic
Drug class:
tetracyclines, miscellaneous antimalarials
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
erythromycin 7.0 10 reviews for erythromycin to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Rx B N X
Generic name:
erythromycin systemic
Brand names:
Erythrocin, E.E.S. Granules, Ery-Tab, Eryc, EryPed, Erythrocin Lactobionate, PCE Dispertab
Drug class:
macrolides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
cefixime 9.0 1 review for cefixime to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
cefixime systemic
Brand name:
Suprax
Drug class:
third generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Ceftin 8.7 3 reviews for Ceftin to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
cefuroxime systemic
Drug class:
second generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
cefpodoxime 10 2 reviews for cefpodoxime to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
cefpodoxime systemic
Drug class:
third generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Septra Rate Add review
Rx D N X
Generic name:
sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim systemic
Drug class:
sulfonamides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Septra DS 9.0 2 reviews for Septra DS to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Rx D N X
Generic name:
sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim systemic
Drug class:
sulfonamides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Vibramycin Rate Add review
Rx D N X
Generic name:
doxycycline systemic
Drug class:
tetracyclines, miscellaneous antimalarials
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Doxy 100 5.5 2 reviews for Doxy 100 to treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Rx D N X
Generic name:
doxycycline systemic
Drug class:
tetracyclines, miscellaneous antimalarials
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Monodox Rate Add review
Rx D N X
Generic name:
doxycycline systemic
Drug class:
tetracyclines, miscellaneous antimalarials
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
tetracycline Rate Add review
Rx D N
Generic name:
tetracycline systemic
Brand names:
Achromycin V, Ala-Tet, Brodspec
Drug class:
tetracyclines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

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Topics under Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Alternative treatments for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection. 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 Upper Respiratory Tract Infection.

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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