Viruses cause numerous infections, and the most common ones are cold and flu. There’s no particular medicine to cure a common cold or flu, and the treatment involves resting, eating healthy, and drinking plenty of fluids. You may also take over-the-counter medicines to make you feel better and speed up recovery.

Here are a few types of over-the-counter remedies for cold and flu:

• Fever and pain are the most common symptoms of these illnesses, and you may use analgesics to relieve these symptoms. Acetaminophen is the most preferred analgesic. Ibuprofen and naproxen are also available over the counter and are commonly used medicines. However, you should refrain from giving aspirin to a child or teenager because it has been linked to Reye’s syndrome, a disease that can damage the brain and liver.
• Antihistamines like diphenhydramine and loratadine are common over-the-counter remedies for cold and flu and are used to dry out the nose. While using antihistamines, remember that these medicines can make you feel lethargic to do a complex task like driving. So, it’s advisable to avoid engaging in such tasks. Loratadine, although not as effective an antihistamine, does not make you drowsy. Fexofenadine and brompheniramine are also known to not cause sleepiness and can be used to get relief from the symptoms.
• Decongestants are the best over-the-counter remedies for a stuffy or clogged nose, a common symptom of cold and flu. An oral over-the-counter solution like pseudoephedrine can help you with this. Side effects like nervousness, irritability, or even insomnia are common, and decongestants can also increase blood pressure levels. For better results, you may combine pseudoephedrine with antihistamines, but do not use a nasal spray for more than 3 consecutive days.
• Nasal steroids can help relieve sinus pressure or a runny nose. Fluticasone and mometasone are among the common nasal steroids available over the counter.
• Sore throats are always an uncomfortable symptom of common cold and flu. While gargling with saline water can help, you can also use throat lozenges to relieve a sore throat.
• Over-the-counter medicines like expectorants can make it easier to blow your nose during a common cold or flu. Expectorants like Guaifenesin loosen up the mucus in the chest. You may experience side effects like nausea or vomiting, but allergies are rare with this medication.
• Coughing can make your life miserable during a common cold or flu, but antitussives like dextromethorphan can help you suppress the cough.

Other symptoms of the common cold or flu may disrupt your daily routine, but they can also be managed with some over-the-counter medicines. However, while purchasing medication, you must read the labels carefully and be aware of any kind of side effects that might accompany a medicine. Also, overuse or misuse of any over-the-counter remedies for cold and flu can lead to further complications.