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Medications for Cold Symptoms

Other names: Cold; Common Cold; Coryza

Symptoms of a viral infection involving the upper respiratory tract and characterized by congestion of the nasal mucous membrane, watery nasal rhinorrhea, and general malaise, with a duration of 3–5 days.

See also: sub-topics

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.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Benadryl 9.5 2 reviews
Rx/OTC B N X

Generic name: diphenhydramine systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antihistamines, anticholinergic antiemetics, anticholinergic antiparkinson agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

diphenhydramine 6.8 5 reviews
Rx/OTC B N X

Generic name: diphenhydramine systemic

Brand names:  Benadryl, Benadryl Allergy, Banophen, Diphedryl, Diphen, Complete Allergy Relief, Allermax, Dicopanol, Dytuss, Scot-Tussin Allergy, Siladryl Allergy, Twilite, Valu-Dryl, Vanamine PD …show all

Drug class: miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antihistamines, anticholinergic antiemetics, anticholinergic antiparkinson agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Vicks Nyquil D Cold and Flu Nighttime Relief 8.2 5 reviews
OTC N N X

Generic name: acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / doxylamine / pseudoephedrine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

chlorpheniramine 6.7 3 reviews
Rx/OTC B N X

Generic name: chlorpheniramine systemic

Brand names:  Chlor-Trimeton, Wal-finate, Aller-Chlor, Allergy Relief, C.P.M., Chlo-Amine, Chlor-Mal, ChlorTan, Ed-Chlortan, Ed ChlorPed, Ed Chlor Ped Jr. …show all

Drug class: antihistamines

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Vicks NyQuil Cold & Flu Nighttime Relief Rate Add review
OTC N N X

Generic name: acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / doxylamine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Coricidin HBP Cold & Flu 6.3 8 reviews
OTC N N X

Generic name: acetaminophen / chlorpheniramine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Vicks DayQuil Severe Cold & Flu Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N X

Generic name: acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / guaifenesin / phenylephrine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Benadryl Allergy 7.0 1 review
Rx/OTC B N X

Generic name: diphenhydramine systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antihistamines, anticholinergic antiemetics, anticholinergic antiparkinson agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Vicks Dayquil Cold & Flu Relief Rate Add review
OTC N N X

Generic name: acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / phenylephrine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Vicks NyQuil Severe Cold & Flu Rate Add review
OTC N N X

Generic name: acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / doxylamine / phenylephrine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Promethazine DM 10 1 review
Rx C N X

Generic name: dextromethorphan / promethazine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Tylenol Cold & Flu Severe Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N X

Generic name: acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / guaifenesin / phenylephrine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Vicks VapoRub Rate Add review
OTC N N

Generic name: camphor / eucalyptus / menthol topical

Drug class: topical rubefacient

For consumers: side effects

Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Flu Rate Add review
OTC N N X

Generic name: acetaminophen / chlorpheniramine / dextromethorphan systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Theraflu Nighttime Severe Cold & Cough 1.0 1 review
Rx/OTC C N X

Generic name: acetaminophen / diphenhydramine / phenylephrine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

acetaminophen / chlorpheniramine / phenylephrine 7.3 16 reviews
Rx/OTC N N X

Generic name: acetaminophen / chlorpheniramine / phenylephrine systemic

Brand names:  Robitussin Peak Cold Nighttime Nasal Relief, Allergy Multi-Symptom, Contac Cold + Flu (Night Formula), Dristan Cold Multi Symptom Formula, Norel AD, Tylenol Plus Children's Cold, Tylenol Sinus Congestion & Pain Nighttime, Comtrex Severe Cold & Sinus, GNP Cold Relief Plus, Medicidin-D, Onset Forte, Tylenol Allergy Multi-Symptom …show all

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Sudafed PE Cold & Cough Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N X

Generic name: acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / guaifenesin / phenylephrine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Tussionex Pennkinetic 7.6 14 reviews
Rx C 2 X

Generic name: chlorpheniramine / hydrocodone systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Banophen Rate Add review
Rx/OTC B N X

Generic name: diphenhydramine systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antihistamines, anticholinergic antiemetics, anticholinergic antiparkinson agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Benadryl Allergy Plus Cold Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X

Generic name: acetaminophen / diphenhydramine / phenylephrine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

pseudoephedrine / triprolidine 7.8 11 reviews
Rx/OTC C N X

Generic name: pseudoephedrine / triprolidine systemic

Brand names:  Aprodine, A-Phedrin, Allerfrim, Aphedrid, Histafed, Vi-Sudo …show all

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Chlor-Trimeton Rate Add review
Rx/OTC B N X

Generic name: chlorpheniramine systemic

Drug class: antihistamines

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Diphedryl Rate Add review
Rx/OTC B N X

Generic name: diphenhydramine systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antihistamines, anticholinergic antiemetics, anticholinergic antiparkinson agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Diphen Rate Add review
Rx/OTC B N X

Generic name: diphenhydramine systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antihistamines, anticholinergic antiemetics, anticholinergic antiparkinson agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Complete Allergy Relief Rate Add review
Rx/OTC B N X

Generic name: diphenhydramine systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antihistamines, anticholinergic antiemetics, anticholinergic antiparkinson agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Topics under Cold Symptoms

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.

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.
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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