Relieving your Cold, Flu or COVID-19 Symptoms

Medications and products to keep your symptoms at bay

If you are suffering from cold, flu, or COVID-19 symptoms such as cough, fever, or sniffles, you might be in search of treatments to help you feel better. With all the options available on the shelves, it can be confusing to figure out which is the right product for you. Read on to learn more about medications and products to manage your symptoms.

Pain and Fever Medications

Whether you’ve come down with a fever or are noticing aches all over, there are over-the-counter medications that can offer some much-needed relief. These include acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Advil®), naproxen (Aleve®) and ASA (Aspirin®).^1,2,3 Besides pain, fever and muscle aches, these medications (analgesics) can also help to soothe a sore throat and alleviate headaches.¹

Pain and fever medications, or analgesics, come in a variety of formulations and strengths, ranging from tablets to suspensions (a drug formulation where small medication particles are spread out in a liquid base).¹ In fact, having all these options is important as recommended doses vary across age groups. Liquid drops or suspensions are excellent for infants and children, since they usually need lower doses based on their weight.⁴ It’s best to use a medication syringe or medication measuring cup to get the right amount.

While analgesics generally tend to be safe for most people, children should not be given naproxen or ASA.⁴ If you have medical conditions such as high blood pressure, or a history of stomach, kidney or liver problems, it’s best to check with your Rexall® pharmacist or doctor first. If you’re pregnant, always ask your health care provider about any medications that you plan to take.

Cough Medications

Cough medications come in two types: cough suppressants (antitussives) and expectorants, which relieve congestion in your throat.⁵ You can find them in cough syrups or tablets.

Common cough suppressant ingredients include dextromethorphan and codeine.⁵ Cough suppressants may help offer some relief for a dry, hacking cough from a cold, flu or COVID-19.^3,6,7 Be extra cautious when driving, since they can make you drowsy.⁴ On the other hand, you might find that this helps you rest a little bit easier.

Currently, guaifenesin is the only expectorant used in Canadian products.⁵ Expectorants loosen up mucus and phlegm, making a congested cough less irritating.⁵ Having some food beforehand can help to reduce upset stomach (a common side effect). Both antitussives and expectorants should be avoided in children under the age of 6.⁵

Decongestant Medications

Decongestants can relieve the nasal congestion that’s often seen with the common cold or the flu.¹ There are two types of decongestants. Oral decongestants, like pseudoephedrine, are taken by mouth, whereas nasal decongestants, like xylometazoline (Otrivin®), are used in nasal sprays and nasal drops.¹

Both types of decongestants can be helpful with clearing out a stuffy nose.¹ Oral decongestants might make you feel more jittery and can increase your blood pressure, so avoid these if you already have high blood pressure or difficulty sleeping.¹ Nasal sprays tend to be preferred since they’re as effective as oral decongestants, but work more quickly with fewer side effects.⁶ If you feel uncomfortable about using a nasal spray, your Rexall® pharmacist can demonstrate how to use one properly.

If you decide to use a nasal decongestant, it should only be used for a short period of time, no longer than 3 to 5 days.¹ Stopping a nasal decongestant, especially if you’ve used one for more than 5 days, can cause the congestion to come back.⁶ Children under the age of 12 should not use nasal decongestant sprays or drops.¹

Combination Products

Many cold and flu medications are available on their own or combined with other medications. Combination products can be helpful if you’re experiencing a number of different symptoms and would like a convenient, all-in-one format.¹ They come in a range of formulations, including tablets, liquids and even ready-to-mix beverage powders.¹ Some will specify if they cause drowsiness by using words like “night” or “nighttime” on the product label.

On the other hand, if you decide to use more than one product, it’s possible to double up or take too much of a medication.¹ For example, you can get too much acetaminophen if you’re taking both acetaminophen tablets and a medicated beverage with acetaminophen. It’s also more difficult to increase or decrease the dose of a specific medication since it’s mixed in with the other ingredients.¹

It’s a good idea to ask a Rexall® pharmacist first if you’re looking for a combination product for your symptoms. Keep in mind that cough medications and decongestants, whether on their own or in a combination product, should not be used in children under the age of 6.¹

Vitamins and Other Natural Health Products

Outside of these over-the-counter medications, you may have heard of vitamins or other natural health products that claim to reduce the duration of cold or flu symptoms. While there’s some data to suggest that supplements like vitamin C, vitamin D or other supplements can reduce symptoms or your risk of developing the cold or flu, the overall evidence still remains unclear.¹ When taken in high doses, natural health products may interact with other medications or cause side effects. Discuss with your Rexall® pharmacist first if you’re planning to take a natural health product for your symptoms.

Non-Medicated Products and Devices

Outside of medications, there are many non-medicated products and devices that can alleviate your symptoms. Here are a few that you might find helpful:

Nasal rinse devices:

Nasal rinse devices, including bulb syringes and squeeze bottles, are designed to help relieve congestion.⁸ They work by flushing out your nasal passages, removing mucus and other substances.⁸

It’s a common misconception that nasal rinses simply use tap water. Rather, it’s important to use clean and sterile water, as you can develop infections from harmful microorganisms found in tap water.⁸ Distilled water, which can be purchased, is safest.⁸ If you’re planning to use tap water, it needs to be passed through a special filter. Alternatively, you can boil and cool it first.⁸

Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using a nasal rinse, as devices can vary from one to another.⁸ Clean and dry the device thoroughly after each use.⁸ Your Rexall® pharmacist can guide you through the process if you’re not sure how to do it.

Humidifiers:

Humidifiers help to relieve nasal congestion by increasing moisture content in the air. There are many types of humidifiers, including vaporizers and cool-mist humidifiers.⁹ Vaporizers heat up water to generate steam, whereas cool-mist humidifiers release a cool mist.⁹

Although humidifiers can relieve nasal congestion indirectly,¹ there are potential health risks if used improperly.⁹ Water that’s left in any humidifier for long periods can accumulate bacteria or moulds.⁹ These organisms can be released into the air if the water is reused, causing breathing problems in those with allergies or other lung diseases.⁹

After turning off your humidifier, be sure to empty out the water reservoir.⁹ When you plan to use it again, clean it thoroughly before adding water.⁹ Keeping your humidifier clean can minimize health risks for you and other household members.

If you don’t have a humidifier at home, try taking a steamy shower to help ease a sore throat and cough.¹⁰

Honey:

You may be surprised to know that honey is effective at suppressing coughs specifically in children.⁶ This can be a great option since cough and cold products are not recommended for those under the age of 6.¹ It can help reduce their cough throughout the day, allowing your child to get some much-needed rest at night. Avoid giving honey to children under 12 months of age or if they have a weakened immune system.⁵

While getting plenty of quality sleep and fluids is key when you have a cold, the flu, or COVID-19, there are a variety of medications and products to help relieve your symptoms. Speak with your Rexall® pharmacist to find the best options for you.