Safe Use of Cough and Cold Medicines
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 2, 2024.
Over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines contain 1 or more ingredients used to decrease cough and cold symptoms. OTC cough medicine may contain an antitussive, expectorant, or both. Antitussives decrease cough by blocking your cough reflex. Expectorants thin your mucus to help clear it from your airway. Cold medicines may have any combination of a cough medicine, antihistamine, decongestant, and pain medicine. Antihistamines may help reduce runny nose and sneezing. Decongestants may help to reduce nasal congestion (stuffiness). Pain medicines also help to decrease a fever.
DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Call 911 or have someone else call if:
- You have a seizure.
- You have hallucinations.
- You have trouble breathing.
Return to the emergency department if:
- Your heart is beating faster than usual.
- You have anxiety, irritability, restlessness, slurred speech, or trouble thinking.
- You have nausea, or you are vomiting.
Contact your healthcare provider if:
- You have a severe sore throat with a fever, headache, rash, nausea, or vomiting.
- You have a fever that lasts longer than 3 days.
- You have a cough that lasts longer than 1 week.
- You have wheezing when you cough or breathe.
- You have blurred vision or dilated pupils.
- You have diarrhea or constipation.
- You have a headache that does not go away.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
People who should not take OTC cough and cold medicines:
People with certain medical conditions should talk to their healthcare provider before taking OTC cough or cold medicines. Examples include high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or liver disease. Decongestants, antihistamines, and medicines high in sodium (salt) can raise blood pressure. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your healthcare provider if you can take these medicines.
How to safely take OTC cough and cold medicines:
- Read the directions on the label to learn how much medicine you should take and how often to take it. Do not take more than the recommended amount. Choose medicine that decreases the symptoms you have.
- Do not combine cough and cold medicines together or with pain medicine. Different cold medicines may contain the same ingredient. For example, cold medicines may contain acetaminophen. When you take more than one type of medicine, you may take too much of the same ingredient.
- Do not combine cough and cold medicines with prescription medicines unless your healthcare provider says it is okay. When you take these medicines together they may not work correctly. It may also increase your child's risk for side effects.
- Do not drink alcohol while you are taking cold medicines that make your drowsy. Alcohol can make the drowsiness worse.
OTC cough and cold medicine overdose:
An overdose means you have taken too much cough and cold medicine. An overdose can become life-threatening. You may have any of the following if you have had an overdose of OTC cough and cold medicine:
- Blurred vision, dilated pupils, or severe headache
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
- Anxiety, irritability, restlessness, or hallucinations
- Slurred speech, trouble thinking, or unusual behavior
- A fast heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, or trouble breathing
- Seizures, loss of consciousness, or not waking up
What to do if you think you took too much OTC cough and cold medicine:
Call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 immediately.
© Copyright Merative 2024 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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