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Medications for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

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

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 Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
doxycycline 6.0 61 reviews
Rx D N X

Generic name: doxycycline systemic

Brand names:  Doryx, Vibramycin, Doxy 100, Monodox, Doryx MPC, Morgidox, Oraxyl …show all

Drug class: tetracyclines, miscellaneous antimalarials

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

azithromycin 6.9 60 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: azithromycin systemic

Brand names:  Azithromycin Dose Pack, Zithromax

Drug class: macrolides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

amoxicillin 6.3 14 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: amoxicillin systemic

Brand names:  Amoxil, Apo-Amoxi

Drug class: aminopenicillins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Azithromycin Dose Pack 5.3 8 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: azithromycin systemic

Drug class: macrolides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Augmentin 6.4 27 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: amoxicillin / clavulanate systemic

Drug class: beta-lactamase inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

cephalexin 6.9 21 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: cephalexin systemic

Brand name:  Keflex

Drug class: first generation cephalosporins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Zithromax 8.6 12 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: azithromycin systemic

Drug class: macrolides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

clarithromycin 5.1 70 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: clarithromycin systemic

Brand name:  Biaxin XL

Drug class: macrolides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

amoxicillin / clavulanate 6.6 42 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: amoxicillin / clavulanate systemic

Brand names:  Augmentin, Amoclan, Augmentin XR

Drug class: beta-lactamase inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Amoxil 6.0 3 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: amoxicillin systemic

Drug class: aminopenicillins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Keflex 4.3 4 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: cephalexin systemic

Drug class: first generation cephalosporins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Bactrim 2.0 2 reviews
Rx D N X

Generic name: sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim systemic

Drug class: sulfonamides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim 4.1 16 reviews
Rx D N X

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, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

cefuroxime 7.4 11 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: cefuroxime systemic

Brand names:  Ceftin, Zinacef

Drug class: second generation cephalosporins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Bactrim DS 3.3 5 reviews
Rx D N X

Generic name: sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim systemic

Drug class: sulfonamides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

erythromycin 7.6 9 reviews
Rx B N X

Generic name: erythromycin systemic

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

Drug class: macrolides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

cefixime Rate Add review
Rx B N

Generic name: cefixime systemic

Brand name:  Suprax

Drug class: third generation cephalosporins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Doryx 10 2 reviews
Rx D N X

Generic name: doxycycline systemic

Drug class: tetracyclines, miscellaneous antimalarials

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Ceftin 8.7 3 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: cefuroxime systemic

Drug class: second generation cephalosporins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

cefpodoxime 10 2 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: cefpodoxime systemic

Drug class: third generation cephalosporins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Septra Rate Add review
Rx D N X

Generic name: sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim systemic

Drug class: sulfonamides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Septra DS 9.0 2 reviews
Rx D N X

Generic name: sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim systemic

Drug class: sulfonamides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Vibramycin Rate Add review
Rx D N X

Generic name: doxycycline systemic

Drug class: tetracyclines, miscellaneous antimalarials

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Apo-Amoxi Rate Add review
Rx B N

Generic name: amoxicillin systemic

Drug class: aminopenicillins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Doxy 100 5.5 2 reviews
Rx D N X

Generic name: doxycycline systemic

Drug class: tetracyclines, miscellaneous antimalarials

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: 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.

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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