Runny Nose And Sneezing
OTC DrugsAntihistamines, such as cetirizine , chlorpheniramine , diphenhydramine , fexofenadine , and loratadine
How effective are they? Very, when symptoms stem from allergies, but a 2015 review of 18 trials concluded that the drugs have little benefit when symptoms are from a cold.
What are the risks? Drowsiness, nausea, blurred vision, and difficulty urinating, and, with diphenhydramine, impaired coordination.
What they can interact with: Taking chlorpheniramine or diphenhydramine with narcotics, sleeping pills, or alcohol makes sedation more likely. Taking cetirizine, fexofenadine, or loratadine with certain antifungals or antibiotics increases the risk of side effects. Antacids with aluminum or magnesium, and grapefruit and certain other juices can make fexofenadine less effective.
Home RemediesHonestly, theres not much you can do besides stocking up on tissues. But note that a runny nose and sneezing help rid your body of germs. If you find yourself without a tissue in hand, sneeze into your elbow so that the germs dont end up across the room infecting an innocent bystander.
Common Cold And Flu Medicine Ingredients
Cold and flu medicines come in all shapes and sizes, with many different ingredients.
When youre in the over-the-counter medications aisle looking for cold and flu relief, you generally reach for a product because of the symptoms it treats. But when you only have a minute, you may not have time to really understand the list of ingredients in that product. Each ingredient treats a specific symptom so its important to understand what they are and what they do. Using various Theraflu products, lets examine some of the main symptom relieving ingredients youll find in over-the-counter cold and flu medication.
Which Antiviral Drugs Are Recommended For Both Treatment And Prevention Of The Flu
The CDC recommends the antiviral drugs baloxavir marboxil , oseltamivir , and zanamivir for both flu prevention and treatment..
Baloxavir marboxil is taken orally and is approved for use in treatment of children 12 years of age and older.
Oseltamivir, which is taken by mouth, is approved for treating flu in those over 2 weeks of age and preventing flu in people one year of age and older.
Peramivir, given in one intravenous dose, is approved for people over the age of 2 for treatment only.
Zanamivir is approved for treating flu in people 7 years and older and for preventing flu in people 5 years and older. Relenza is inhaled through the mouth.
All four antivirals are most effective when given within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms, although they may still prevent severe flu complications when given more than 48 hours after symptoms appear.
For in-depth information, see WebMD’s Flu Prevention Strategies.
Read Also: Long Term Effects Of Flu Shot
Do Antiviral Drugs For Flu Have Side Effects
Side effects of antivirals may include nausea, vomiting, runny nose, stuffy nose, cough, diarrhea, and behavioral changes. Zanamivir is not recommended for individuals who have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , or other lung disease. Based on your individual health status, your doctor will prescribe the antiviral drug that’s safest for you.
Will An Antibiotic Cure Me Of The Flu

No, antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections and do not work on viral infections like the flu. This is another common myth about the flu and possible flu medicine used to treat it.
You might hear people say that they took an antibiotic and it cured them of the flu. Since the flu usually lasts about 5 to 7 days, it might seem that an antibiotic may have helped cure the flu. However, it is likely that the flu just resolved on its own.
Research studies of antiviral flu medicine shows that it can lessen symptoms of the flu and shorten the amount of time youre sick. If you think you may need a flu medicine to help with the flu, you should talk about it with your healthcare provider.
OTC flu medicines, as mentioned above, can help with symptoms but usually do not shorten the flus course.
Recommended Reading: Flu Shot Cost Without Insurance Walgreens
Flu Medicine For Children
Children can take some types of flu medicine, but other types may be unsafe. Children can take prescription flu medicines based on their age, as listed above for each of the four FDA-approved antiviral medications approved.
The OTC flu medicines that children can use also depend on the childs age and the medication. Always follow the directions on the OTC medication package and talk to a healthcare provider or pharmacist if youre unsure.
Fda Approved Drugs For Influenza
There are four FDA-approved influenza antiviral drugs recommended by CDC for use against recently circulating influenza viruses.
Two older drugs, amantadine and rimantadine historically have been approved for treatment and prevention of influenza A virus infection. But many strains of influenza virus, including the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, are now resistant to these drugs. CDC has not recommended the use of amantadine and rimantadine for recently circulating influenza viruses, although recommendations could change if there were future re-emergence of specific virus strains with susceptibility patterns favoring such use.
Don’t Miss: What To Do If Arm Hurts After Flu Shot
What Treatment Options Are Safe During Pregnancy
According to the Cleveland Clinic, natural remedies like saline nasal drops and warm salt-water gargling are ideal cold and flu treatments during pregnancy.
Vicks VapoRub and cough drops are also considered safe during pregnancy.
Women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant should check with their healthcare provider before taking any drug. While no medication can be considered 100 percent safe for pregnant women, the Cleveland Clinic lists the following as among those generally considered to be okay:
- Acetaminophen
- Guaifenesin
Note: Do not take the sustained action or multisymptom forms of these drugs.
As for the decongestant pseudoephedrine, the Cleveland Clinic recommends that pregnant women avoid it in the first trimester , while a review published in the journal American Family Physician concluded that women should use it only sparingly later in pregnancy.
For pregnant women with the flu, oseltamivir is the preferred medication because it has the best safety and efficacy record, according to the CDC.
The CDC recommends that pregnant women with a fever take acetominophen and contact their doctors immediately.
RELATED: 7 Natural Flu Remedies That Actually Work
Fever Aches And Sore Throat
These symptoms are usually mild with a cold compared to a more serious illness, like the flu. Still, if you feel bad and canât rest, most experts agree itâs OK to take something to ease pain and lower a fever, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Fever may be a good thing. It helps the body fight off infection by suppressing the growth of bacteria and viruses and activating the immune system. Doctors no longer recommend fighting fever for most people, except perhaps for the very young, the very old, and those with certain medical conditions such as heart disease or lung disease. But if youâre uncomfortable, it’s fine to take these medications.
Young people , however, should avoid aspirin. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are best. Each type of medicine has risks, so check with your doctor or pharmacist as to which type of pain reliever or fever reducer is best for you.
Drinking lots of fluids and using salt water gargles can often ease the pain of a sore throat. Some oral medications and medicated lozenges and gargles can also temporarily soothe a sore throat. Check with your doctor before using any medications, including over-the-counter drugs, and don’t use lozenges or gargles for more than a few days. The drugs could mask signs of strep throat, a bacterial infection that should be treated with antibiotics.
Read Also: Cvs Pharmacy Schedule Flu Shot
Safe Use Tips For Cough Medicines
Always read the Drug Facts label carefully. The label tells you everything you need to know about the medicine, including the ingredients, what you are supposed to use it for, how much you should take, and when you should not take the product.
Do not take more than the maximum number of doses recommended on the products label in a 24-hour period.
A lingering cough may be a sign of a serious condition. If your cough lasts more than one week or is accompanied by fever, rash, or a persistent headache, you should contact a healthcare provider.
If you have a persistent cough due to smoking, asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema, contact a healthcare provider before taking a cough expectorant medicine.
Talk to a healthcare provider before using an oral or topical cough suppressant if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not give a cough expectorant or suppressant medicine to a child under the age of 4.
Talk to a healthcare provider before using a topical cough suppressant ointment on a child under the age of 2.
Before giving a cough lozenge to a child under the age of 6, make sure the child is able to safely dissolve a lozenge in their mouth without choking. Read the Drug Facts label carefully for appropriate use in children and contact a healthcare provider as directed.
Safe Use Tips For Cold And Flu Medicines
Always read the Drug Facts label carefully. The label tells you everything you need to know about the medicine, including the ingredients, what you are supposed to use it for, how much you should take, and when you should not take the medicine.
You should choose a multi-symptom cold medicine that matches only the symptoms you have.
For liquid medicines, use the measuring device that comes with the product and do not take more than the recommended dose in a 24-hour period.
If you have a bad sore throat, or if it lasts more than two days or is accompanied by fever, headache, rash, nausea, or vomiting, immediately contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Certain multi-symptom cold medicines may interact with other drugs. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are on a prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitor or a prescription drug for depression, psychiatric or emotional conditions, or Parkinsons disease before taking a multi-symptom medicine.
Talk to a healthcare provider before taking a multi-symptom cold medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not give any oral multi-symptom cold medicine to a child under the age of 4.
Do not give a multi-symptom cold medicine or any OTC medicine that is only intended for an adult to a child.
Never use any multi-symptom cold medicine to sedate or make a child sleepy.
Recommended Reading: What Is In The Flu Shot
Ronpepecho Cold And Flu Drug Recalls
Cold medicine and influenza medicine recalled due to microbial contamination
Influenza season This year, along with regular commons, it has already hit us hard. cold And COVID-19.But if you are experiencing Cold and flu symptoms, You may want to reconfirm the bottle of cold When influenza Medicine in the cabinet. The Food and Drug Administration recently announced Voluntary collection Efficient Laboratories, Inc. due to potential microbial contamination. RompePecho from Liquid Cold and flu relief.
Related video above: 3 ways to prevent a cold from spreading at home
Voluntary collection affects 4 products nationwide and 12 lots of products. Cold and flu medicines will be distributed in 2019 and will expire throughout 2022 depending on the specific lot. The lot number and expiration date can be found at the bottom of the carton. If you have one of the potentially contaminated products, FDA recommends that you discontinue use of the product and dispose of it.
4 products are used to treat symptoms influenza For colds, each product is packed in a box containing a bottle of chemicals. Products include Rompe Pecho CF, Rompe Pecho DM, Rompe Pecho EX, and Rompe Pecho MAX. A complete list of lot numbers to determine if a product may be contaminated is FDA website.. As of today, no health problems have been reported with the use of these products.
Ronpepecho Cold and flu drug recalls
Ronpepecho Cold and flu drug recalls
Is There Medication For The Flu

The CDC recommends prompt medical attention for people who get the flu and are at high risk of developing complications, such as adults who are 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, HIV, and cancer.
For people in these groups, treatment may include antiviral medications these prescription drugs are used to battle influenza viruses.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the following antivirals to treat flu:
- Tamiflu is available as a liquid or a capsule, and it can be prescribed for infants who are least 14 days old, children, and adults.
- Relenza is available as a powder that is inhaled, and it can be prescribed for people who are 7 and older.
- Rapivab is given intravenously, and it can be prescribed for people who are 2 and older.
- Xofluza is available as a single-dose pill that can be prescribed for people who are 12 and older.
Antiviral medications might shorten the duration of symptoms somewhat, but in order for them to be effective, they need to be started in the first two days of illness, says Dr. Ohl.
The CDC stresses that these drugs are a second line of defense against the flu: A flu vaccine remains the best way to stay healthy.
RELATED: Raising Awareness About the Flu and Vaccination in the Face of Tragedy
You May Like: Sanofi High Dose Flu Vaccine
When To Seek Medical Care
See a doctor if you have:
- Difficulty breathing or fast breathing
- Dehydration
- Fever that lasts longer than 4 days
- Symptoms that last more than 10 days without improvement
- Symptoms, such as fever or cough, that improve but then return or worsen
- Worsening of chronic medical conditions
This list is not all-inclusive. Please see a doctor for any symptom that is severe or concerning.
Because colds can have similar symptoms to flu, it can be difficult to tell the difference between the two illnesses based on symptoms alone. Flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses.
In general, flu is worse than a cold, and symptoms are more intense. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations. Flu can have very serious associated complications.
When you have a cold, mucus fills your nose and could cause post-nasal drip, headache, and a sore throat.
Can Children Take Antiviral Drugs
Yes, though this varies by medication. Oseltamivir is recommended by CDC for treatment of flu in children beginning from birth and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends oseltamivir for treatment of flu in children 2 weeks old or older. Zanamivir is approved for early treatment of flu in people 7 years and older, though it is not recommended for use in children with underlying respiratory disease, including asthma and other chronic lung diseases. Peramivir is recommended for early treatment in people 2 years and older. Baloxavir is approved for early treatment of flu in people 12 years and older.
If your childs health care provider prescribes oseltamivir capsules for your child and your child cannot swallow capsules, the prescribed capsules may be opened, mixed with a thick sweetened liquid, and given that way. Learn more here.
Also Check: Shoulder Pain After Flu Shot Treatment
Prescription Medications For Colds Or Flu
The first line of treatment for the common cold and influenza is self-care as you allow these viral illnesses to simply run their course. But there are cases in which you may need a medical evaluation and prescription medication to tame severe symptoms, prevent a worsening of your condition, or avoid related complications.
Cough suppressants, antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal steroids are prescription cold and/or flu medications that can help provide you some symptom relief, while the main job of antivirals and antibiotics is to stop what’s causing your illness in its tracks.
What Antiviral Drugs Are Recommended This Flu Season
There are four FDA-approved antiviral drugs recommended by CDC to treat flu this season.
- oseltamivir phosphate ,
- zanamivir
- baloxavir marboxil .
Generic oseltamivirexternal icon and Tamiflu® are available as a pill or liquid suspension and are FDA approved for early treatment of flu in people 14 days and older. Zanamivir is a powder that is inhaled and approved for early treatment of flu in people 7 years and older. is administered using an inhaler device and is not recommended for people with breathing problems like asthma or COPD.) Oseltamivir and zanamivir are given twice a day for 5 days. Peramivir is given once intravenously by a health care provider and is approved for early treatment of flu in people 2 years and older. Baloxavir is a pill given as a single dose by mouth and is approved for early treatment of flu in people 12 years and older. is not recommended for pregnant people, breastfeeding people, outpatients with complicated or progressive illness, or hospitalized patients because there is no information about use of baloxavir in these patients.)
Also Check: High Dose Flu Vaccine Recommendations
Gas And Electric Ranges
#RECALL: Do you have a GE, Moffat, GE Profile, Insignia, or Haier brand free-standing or slide-in gas or electric range? Find out about the recall and what to do: http://ow.ly/nzse50H74EB\u00a0pic.twitter.com/9awnAoBgCE Health Canada and PHAC 1639083623
“This recall involves the 24-inch and 30 inch free-standing and slide-in gas and electric ranges sold under the brands GE, Moffat, GE Profile, Haier and Insignia,” according to the government in a notice from December 8.
If something heavy is placed on an open oven door, the entire thing could tip over, which could result in serious burns or accidents.
As many as 12,960 units of the affected product were sold in Canada between May 2021 to July 2021.