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	Rating	Reviews	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, Benadryl Children's Allergy, 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: A-Z Drug Facts, 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, Allergy Relief, Wal-finate, Aller-Chlor, C.P.M., Chlo-Amine, Chlor-Mal, ChlorTan, Ed-Chlortan, Ed ChlorPed, Ed Chlor Ped Jr., Topco Allergy …show all Drug class: antihistamines For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, 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

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

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

Vicks Dayquil Daytime Cold / Flu (old formulation)	Rate	Add review	OTC	N	N	X
Generic name: acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / pseudoephedrine systemic Drug class: upper respiratory combinations For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

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 For professionals: Prescribing Information

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:

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	6.8	14 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 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, 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

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

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

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

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

Tylenol Cold	2.0	1 review	OTC	N	N	X
Generic name: acetaminophen / chlorpheniramine / dextromethorphan / pseudoephedrine systemic Drug class: upper respiratory combinations For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Benadryl Children's Allergy	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

Topics under Cold Symptoms

Sore Throat (25 drugs)

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.

Echinacea

Learn more about Cold Symptoms

Symptoms and treatments

Common Cold (Viral Rhinitis)

Drugs.com Health Center

Mayo Clinic Reference

Common cold

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
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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Further information

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