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Medications for Cold Symptoms

Other names: Cold; Common Cold; Coryza

About Cold Symptoms:  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 Rx / OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol Reviews Rating Popularity
Benadryl B N X 2 reviews
9.0

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 B N X 4 reviews
7.0

Generic name: diphenhydramine systemic

Brand names:  Benadryl, Benadryl Allergy, Banophen, Benadryl Children's Allergy, Complete Allergy Relief, Diphedryl, Q-Dryl, Allermax, Dicopanol, Diphenhist, Dytuss, Quenalin, Scot-Tussin Allergy, Siladryl Allergy, Silphen Cough, Twilite, Valu-Dryl, Vanamine PD, Vicks QlearQuil Nighttime Allergy Relief …show all

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

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Vicks Nyquil D Cold and Flu Nighttime Relief N N X 5 reviews
8.0

Generic name: acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / doxylamine / pseudoephedrine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Coricidin HBP Cold & Flu N N X 7 reviews
6.0

Generic name: acetaminophen / chlorpheniramine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

chlorpheniramine B N X 1 review
7.0

Generic name: chlorpheniramine systemic

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

Drug class: antihistamines

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, Prescribing Information

Benadryl Allergy B N X 1 review
7.0

Generic name: diphenhydramine systemic

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

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Vicks Dayquil Daytime Cold / Flu (old formulation) N N X Add review Rate

Generic name: acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / pseudoephedrine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Vicks DayQuil Severe Cold & Flu N N X Add review Rate

Generic name: acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / guaifenesin / phenylephrine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

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

Generic name: acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / phenylephrine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Promethazine DM C N X 1 review
10

Generic name: dextromethorphan / promethazine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

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

Generic name: acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / doxylamine / phenylephrine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Tussionex Pennkinetic C 2 X 12 reviews
8.0

Generic name: chlorpheniramine / hydrocodone systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

acetaminophen / chlorpheniramine / phenylephrine N N X 10 reviews
6.0

Generic name: acetaminophen / chlorpheniramine / phenylephrine systemic

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

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Flu N N X Add review Rate

Generic name: acetaminophen / chlorpheniramine / dextromethorphan systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Tylenol Cold N N X 1 review
6.0

Generic name: acetaminophen / chlorpheniramine / dextromethorphan / pseudoephedrine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Benadryl Allergy Plus Cold C N X Add review Rate

Generic name: acetaminophen / diphenhydramine / phenylephrine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

pseudoephedrine / triprolidine C N X 8 reviews
8.0

Generic name: pseudoephedrine / triprolidine systemic

Brand names:  Actifed, Aprodine, A-Phedrin, Allerfrim, Allerphed, Altafed, Aphedrid, Biofed-PE, Genac, Hist-PSE, Histafed, Pediatex TD, Trip-PSE, Tripohist D, Vi-Sudo, Zymine-D …show all

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

Sudafed PE Cold & Cough N N X Add review Rate

Generic name: acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / guaifenesin / phenylephrine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Actifed C N X 7 reviews
8.0

Generic name: pseudoephedrine / triprolidine systemic

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Banophen B N X Add review Rate

Generic name: diphenhydramine systemic

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

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

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

Generic name: acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / doxylamine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Benadryl Children's Allergy B N X Add review Rate

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

Chlor-Trimeton B N X Add review
6.0

Generic name: chlorpheniramine systemic

Drug class: antihistamines

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Tylenol Cold & Flu Severe N N X Add review Rate

Generic name: acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / guaifenesin / phenylephrine systemic

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / doxylamine / pseudoephedrine N N X 5 reviews
8.0

Generic name: acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / doxylamine / pseudoephedrine systemic

Brand name:  Vicks Nyquil D Cold and Flu Nighttime Relief

Drug class: upper respiratory combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

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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.

Learn more about Cold Symptoms

Symptoms and treatments

Mayo Clinic Reference

Legend

Off Label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
Prescription Only / Over the Counter
Rx Prescription Only
OTC Over the Counter
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over the Counter
Pregnancy
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 Schedule
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.

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