MEDICATION GUIDE FOR COUGH, COLD AND FLU

Some people can afford to buy medicine but many of us are not able to sustain the health expense because of their status in life. They tried to medicate their selves to lessen the cost of consulting a doctor.

Here are some health knowledge on what is to take in case of having a cough, colds and flu; it is depends on what kind, so better to know what is right for you rather than just taking without assessment of what is you really need.

Loose, chesty cough? 

Consider expectorants and mucolytics

"Chesty cough" liquids contain expectorants and/or mucolytics. Expectorants, including guaiphenesin, ammonia and senega, help make coughing out secretions easier, while bromhexine, a mucolytic, thins mucus in the lungs.

Dry cough? 

Consider suppressants

"Dry cough" liquids, as well as many combination cold and flu tablets, contain suppressants such as codeine, pholcodine and dextromethorphan. However, the effect is little better – if at all – than a placebo. Use them only for painful, dry and persistent coughs – using suppressants for chesty coughs could delay recovery.

Blocked nose? 

Consider decongestants

Decongestants reduce the "stuffed up" feeling and mucus formation. They're not always effective, so you may or may not experience any noticeable difference.

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant, but it's kept behind the counter because it can be used to make methamphetamine. If you want to purchase it, you will have to ask the pharmacist for it and show ID.

Phenylephrine (look for PE on product labels – e.g. Sudafed PE) has been marketed as a substitute for pseudoephedrine, but is not as effective.

Side effects of decongestants may include increased blood pressure, sleeplessness, anxiety, and dizziness. If you have heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or thyroid conditions, check with your doctor before taking them.

Spray (topical) decongestants, including oxymetazoline and xylometazoline, are faster-acting than oral decongestants and have fewer side effects. They should be used sparingly – continued use can make congestion worse.

Runny nose? 

Consider anticholinergic spray

Atrovent nasal spray contains ipratropium bromide (which is an anticholinergic), which can help dry up a runny nose and is also recommended for allergies.

There's not much evidence oral antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, brompheniramine, doxylamine and chlorpheniramine help dry up a runny nose caused by colds, but they may make sleeping easier by countering the stimulating effects of decongestants.

Side effects include dry eyes and mouth and daytime drowsiness – these effects are usually, but not always, found in night-time products, so check the label. People with narrow-angle glaucoma or an enlarged prostate should avoid using them.

Stuffy and runny nose? 

Consider anticholinergic/decongestant combo spray

Otrivin Plus nasal spray contains ipratropium bromide as well as a decongestant (xylometazoline) to reduce stuffiness.

Aches and pains? 

Consider paracetamol or ibuprofen

Some cough and cold medicines contain paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain relief and to reduce fever, so check the ingredients before use to avoid the risk of overdose if you are also taking painkillers separately.

Fever? 

Consider leaving it!

Fever can help fight infection, so unless it's really uncomfortable, it might be best to ride it out. See a doctor if it's higher than 39.5°C for three days and doesn't respond to medication such as paracetamol.