Skip to Content
Print Share

Medications for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

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

About Upper Respiratory Tract Infection: 

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.

See also: sub-topics

Drugs Used to Treat Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

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
Azithromycin Dose Pack B N 7 reviews
6.0

Generic name: azithromycin systemic

Drug class: macrolides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

amoxicillin B N 9 reviews
7.0

Generic name: amoxicillin systemic

Brand names:  Amoxil, Moxilin, Apo-Amoxi

Drug class: aminopenicillins

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

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

doxycycline D N X 42 reviews
6.0

Generic name: doxycycline systemic

Brand names:  Doryx, Vibramycin, Doxy 100, Doryx MPC, Monodox, Morgidox, Ocudox, Oraxyl, Vibra-Tabs …show all

Drug class: tetracyclines, miscellaneous antimalarials

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

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

azithromycin B N 50 reviews
7.0

Generic name: azithromycin systemic

Brand names:  Azithromycin Dose Pack, Zithromax, Zmax

Drug class: macrolides

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

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

Augmentin B N 24 reviews
6.0

Generic name: amoxicillin / clavulanate systemic

Drug class: beta-lactamase inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

cephalexin B N 17 reviews
7.0

Generic name: cephalexin systemic

Brand names:  Keflex, Daxbia

Drug class: first generation cephalosporins

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

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

Zithromax B N 11 reviews
9.0

Generic name: azithromycin systemic

Drug class: macrolides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Amoxil B N 3 reviews
6.0

Generic name: amoxicillin systemic

Drug class: aminopenicillins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Keflex B N 4 reviews
7.0

Generic name: cephalexin systemic

Drug class: first generation cephalosporins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

clarithromycin C N 49 reviews
5.0

Generic name: clarithromycin systemic

Brand names:  Biaxin, Biaxin XL

Drug class: macrolides

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

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

amoxicillin / clavulanate B N 31 reviews
6.0

Generic name: amoxicillin / clavulanate systemic

Brand names:  Augmentin, Augmentin ES-600, Amoclan, Augmentin XR …show all

Drug class: beta-lactamase inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

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

Bactrim D N X 2 reviews
5.0

Generic name: sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim systemic

Drug class: sulfonamides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim D N X 13 reviews
5.0

Generic name: sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim systemic

Brand names:  Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra, Septra DS, Co-trimoxazole, Sulfatrim Pediatric …show all

Drug class: sulfonamides

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, Prescribing Information

Bactrim DS D N X 5 reviews
4.0

Generic name: sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim systemic

Drug class: sulfonamides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

cefuroxime B N 8 reviews
8.0

Generic name: cefuroxime systemic

Brand names:  Ceftin, Zinacef

Drug class: second generation cephalosporins

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

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

Ceftin B N 3 reviews
8.0

Generic name: cefuroxime systemic

Drug class: second generation cephalosporins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Biaxin C N 8 reviews
6.0

Generic name: clarithromycin systemic

Drug class: macrolides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Doryx D N X 2 reviews
10

Generic name: doxycycline systemic

Drug class: tetracyclines, miscellaneous antimalarials

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

cefixime B N Add review
7.0

Generic name: cefixime systemic

Brand name:  Suprax

Drug class: third generation cephalosporins

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

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

erythromycin B N X 9 reviews
7.0

Generic name: erythromycin systemic

Brand names:  Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, PCE Dispertab, E.E.S.-400, E.E.S. Granules, Eryc, EryPed, Erythrocin Lactobionate, Ilosone …show all

Drug class: macrolides

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

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

Septra D N X Add review
10

Generic name: sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim systemic

Drug class: sulfonamides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Septra DS D N X 2 reviews
9.0

Generic name: sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim systemic

Drug class: sulfonamides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Vibramycin D N X Add review Rate

Generic name: doxycycline systemic

Drug class: tetracyclines, miscellaneous antimalarials

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Moxilin B N Add review Rate

Generic name: amoxicillin systemic

Drug class: aminopenicillins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

ampicillin B N Add review Rate

Generic name: ampicillin systemic

Drug class: aminopenicillins

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

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

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.

Learn more about Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Drugs.com Health Center

Legend

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.
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.

Browse Treatment Options

Further information

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

Medical Disclaimer

Drugs.com Mobile Apps

The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Available for Android and iOS devices.

Explore Apps
Hide