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We asked medical professionals for their advice in using OTC medications. Here are their suggestions.
Keep it simple. If you take several multi symptom products at once, you may be overdoing it says, Hoeschen, who owns a drug store. "With viral colds, all you need are fluids, decongestants and an expectorant".
Be careful if you're taking medications. For example decongestants may increase blood pressure. "It's always safest to check with your doctor if you have questions about it"Stroebel Says.
Use as directed. This seems like a no-brainer, but some people continue to think more is better. But beware. For example, if your use topical decongestants for more than five days, they can irritate and damage cells and cause swelling and fluid in your nose, Uden says.
Monitor your symptoms, Battling a virus can make you more susceptible to other infections. If you star running a fever of 101.5 to 102 degrees, have a bad sore throat and difficulty swallowing, call the doctor.
People with diabetes or those on immune suppressants or chemotherapy are more susceptible to bacterial infections, Stroebel says.
Avoid spreading germs in the first place. "I think a person's best defense is good hand washing," Stroebel says.
Consider other promising products on the market, including zinc lozenges. "Zinc is pretty interesting, " Uden says, "There is some information that zinc might prevent the viruses from multiplying. " Not every one jumps on the OTC bandwagon, Uden, for on, advocates not using them. He points to the medical literature for colds and couth.
"There is no data that antihistamine products are convincingly effective." He says. "Cold are not histamine-based. Symptoms are due to the virus killing normal cells. (An antihistamine) is not going to deal with the virus, and it's not effective for symptoms."
So, what does Uden do when his throat starts to tickle?
He may use a decongestant nasal spray but only if he's having trouble sleeping. Otherwise, he's a big fan of lemon drops and gargling with tepid salt water.
