Influenza, or the flu, comes on swiftly and fades fairly rapidly. For a week or so, however, patients will need medicines that soothe unpleasant flu symptoms. This viral condition can't be cured with allergy medications, but such drugs that curb inflammation and congestion do ease the sneezing, coughing, stuffy and runny nose associated with the flu too. Patients with persistent influenza cases can consult their physicians for prescription dosages. But symptoms of this swiftly resolving ailment may instead be relieved with easily available over-the-counter drugs.
Fever Reducers
Flu symptoms usually commence with a high fever of up to 106 degrees, which continues for two to five days, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help to control flu patient's fever. The Mayo Clinic suggests taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Allergy patients use these oral pain relievers to decrease runny noses and sinus pressure, but they will also address the high temperatures and body aches that occur. Fever will give way to other symptoms, such as nausea and respiratory problems, but may return later. Patients should adjust their medication schedules accordingly.
Cough Suppressants
Respiratory symptoms, including cough and sore throat, may arise a few days after the fever begins. Allergy medications that address bronchial symptoms can also curb the insistent, hacking cough and aching throat caused by the flu. According to the Mayo Clinic, over-the-counter cough suppressants such as dextromethorphan and caramiphen do not contain narcotics. They restrict coughing spells to fewer incidences, breaking up mucus and soothing throat soreness. Many cough suppressants are available in liquid form.
Decongestants
Unaccompanied by other ingredients, decongestant allergy medications act only to reduce nasal and sinus congestion. However, drug makers often add ingredients to products in order to expand their treatment to runny nose flu symptoms. Decongestants work against stuffy nose symptoms by constricting the blood vessels, as the UMMC states. This raises blood pressure, however, so heart patients cannot safely take medicines that contain the decongestants oxymetazoline, phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine.
Antihistamines
Antihistamine allergy medications address sneezing and runny nose flu symptoms, which can last for three or four days. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, a "first-generation" antihistamine medicine such as diphenhydramine may cause drowsiness, while "second-generation" loratadine does not carry that risk.
Manufacturers also make antihistamines and other flu and allergy drugs in combination formulas that roll fever reducers, cough suppressants, antihistamines and decongestants into a single tablet or liquid dose. Patients must take care not to "overlap" their drugs by taking stand-alone formulas in addition to combination flu drugs.
