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What Medicine Should I Take for a Cold?

People often ask when or whether they should take cold medicine. Below are some key questions that, we hope, will answer yours.1

What Medicine Should I Take for a Cold?

Should you always take medication to stop a cough that comes with a cold or flu?

If your cough is productive, meaning that you are coughing up mucus, you shouldn’t try to completely stop it, because your body needs to get rid of that mucus. However, you can make your coughs more productive and under your control so they are less bothersome. A non-prescription cough medicine with an expectorant and cough suppressant, such as certain Robitussin products, will help by keeping the mucus secretions liquid and easily expelled while the cough suppressant helps you bring your cough under greater control.

Can decongestants be used to relieve a cough?

Decongestants can be used to relieve stuffy, congested noses, not coughs. Non-prescription medicines that contain guaifenesin and dextromethorphan, such as Robitussin DM, can relieve your cough while they loosen the mucus, making it easier to expel.

Quotation marksNon-prescription medicines that contain guaifenesin and dextromethorphan, such as Robitussin DM, can relieve your cough while they loosen the mucus, making it easier to expel.Quotation marks

What can I do to help me or my child feel better during a cold?

There are a number of ways you can help you or your child feel better while living with a cold. Robitussin products may be one option, but there are other comforting ways, used for generations:

  • Rest – Make sure to get plenty of rest both day and night to recharge and get better faster.
  • Drink lots of liquids – Make sure to drink lots of fluids, such as water and natural orange juice, throughout the day.
  • Moisten the air – Use a humidifier or vaporizer to moisten the air. This also will help ease congestion during the day and night.
  • Warm baths – Draw a warm, soothing bath to rest and relax muscles. The warm water and air also will help to clear the nasal passages.
  • TLC – Sometimes the best medicine is just knowing you are there to take care of your children, hug them and make them feel comforted. Spend time with your kids, cuddle with them and tell them stories of when you were sick. Let them know that feeling better is just a few days away.

TAGGED: COLD MEDICINE, COUGH, COUGH CHILDREN, DEXTROMETHORPHAN

References

  1. Always read and follow label directions. Consult your doctor with any questions.

We are aware of FDA’s proposed order to remove oral phenylephrine (PE) as a nasal decongestant from the OTC monograph. Note, FDA’s proposed order does not question the safety of oral PE, only efficacy. We have introduced several new formulations across our brand portfolios, to remove oral PE, to ensure product availability for consumers to treat their symptoms ahead of the 2024/2025 cold, cough, flu season and to provide new remedies and forms to ensure people have options.

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  • ⚬This product contains the active ingredients Dextromethorphan.
  • **This product contains the active ingredients Dextromethorphan and Guaifenesin.
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