What’s the best way to treat a cold?

Since colds and their symptoms can vary from person to person, one of the best ways to treat a cold is to treat the individual symptoms. It can be hard to know what medications to take—especially when combination medications are convenient, but may treat symptoms you don’t actually have (and cause side effects!). For example, if you’re coughing, you want something different than if you're congested, or if you have a runny nose.

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We’ve broken down some medications and what they treat, so that you can avoid wasting your time staring down the “cold” aisle of the pharmacy next time you are sick. 

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Sinus congestion or pressure: phenylephrine (over the counter) or pseudoephedrine (requires a prescription)

• Use: relieves congestion
• Common brand: Sudafed 

Nasal congestion (a “stuffy nose”): oxymetazoline 

• Use: relieves nasal congestion, only use for THREE days
• Common brand: Afrin

Cough suppressant: dextromethorphan 

• Use: relieves coughs due to colds or the flu 
• Common brands: Delsym, Robitussin

Antihistamines: diphenhydramine, cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine, and others

• Use: relieves allergy symptoms such as runny nose and itchy or watery eyes…  
• Common brands: Allegra, Claritin, Zyrtec, Benadryl (note that Benadryl is a shorter-acting medication that’s associated with more drowsiness. If you have stuff to do, you may be better off with one of the others.)

Expectorant: guaifenesin

• Use: thins mucus to help make your cough more productive 
• Common brand: Mucinex

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The most efficient way to determine what kind of treatment you need is to check with a healthcare provider to see what they recommend and make sure you don’t have any underlying conditions or ongoing medications that could interact. We’re available 24/7 to help you figure out the best solution for you!

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Reviewed by Sara Levine, MD, MPH, FAAP, Medical Director of Adolescent Medicine

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