Over-the-counter combination drugs let hay fever and cold patients take one dose instead of several to alleviate runny nose, stuffy nose, sneezing, fever and itchy eye and nose symptoms. Patients may suffer some or all of these uncomfortable effects from seasonal allergies or colds. Brands such as Tylenol, Theraflu, Contac, Robitussin and generic store brands offer various formulas for allergy and cold symptoms. Patients should read the ingredients and choose products that don't supply a drug they are currently taking in another form.
Cough and Cold
Antihistamines address itching, sneezing and runny nose allergy and cold symptoms. Most OTC combination cold preparations add other drugs to antihistamines to broaden their level of treatment. According to MayoClinic.com, so-called "cough and cold" formulas include antihistamines such as diphenhydramine or pheniramine and antitussives such as dextromethorphan or carbetapentane. Combination drug products that are limited to these active ingredients don't pose risks to patients who already take daily aspirin, but may cause drowsiness. They perform best against dry coughs from hay fever and upper respiratory infections, rather than those from lower respiratory symptoms that produce excess mucus.
Fever and Cold
Manufacturers commonly add fever-reducing elements to OTC cold and hay fever combination drugs. Patients who purchase these "fever and cold" products should not take additional acetaminophen, aspirin or other analgesics.The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that fever reducers are often added to antihistamine/antitussive combinations. As the number of drug elements in the formula grows, however, so does the risk for allergies and overdose. In addition to the cough and respiratory relief, analgesic ingredients address allergy or cold symptoms of sinus pain, high temperature and body aches. Many fever and cold products may cause drowsiness, and taking more of them for an increase in symptoms can be dangerous. Patients with fevers over 103 degrees, or whose fevers persist for longer than three days, should see their doctors.
Congestion and Cold
Congestion is a major allergy and cold symptom that antihistamines don't address, so manufacturers often add a decongestant to combination drugs. "Congestion and cold" medicines will contain either ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine or oxymetazoline, in addition to antihistamines and other elements. Cold or hay fever sufferers with severe congestion should not take more of this medicine to get a larger dose of decongestant, as doing so can give them dangerous amounts of analgesic or sedating antihistamine ingredients. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that decongestant formulas may also harm patients who have high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart, kidney or thyroid disease.
