August 1, 2022

This cold and flu season, everyone should be prepared with a few essentials. It’s good to start with some immune boosters such as vitamin C and zinc and some natural supplements like echinacea and elderberry. If you do come down with a cold or flu, it’s helpful to have antipyretics, or fever reducers, in your medicine cabinet, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. These medications are also pain relievers. For other symptoms like congestion, cough, or sore throat, pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan, and guaifenesin can help combat symptoms.

For your convenience treating multiple symptoms, many products include a combination of these medications in liquid or pill form. It is important to check which active ingredients are in the combination medications so you know exactly how much of what you will be taking.

Diphenhydramine, or Benadryl, is also a great medication to have on hand. Not only is it used to treat allergic reactions, but it also alleviates cold symptoms such as a runny nose and helps you sleep. When purchasing combination medications, be sure to take note of daytime vs. nighttime since this is the difference between non-drowsy and drowsy medications.

A saline nasal spray may also come in handy for a stuffy nose. Another must for cold and flu season is having cough drops, a thermometer, hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray or wipes, and tissues on hand.

If you need any assistance determining which medications are best to treat your symptoms, your pharmacist is always available to help.