Symptoms of coughing, sneezing and runny and stuffy noses may be shared by patients with either colds or allergies. People who can't tolerate the side effects of over-the-counter drugs may need effective prescription medications for cold and hay fever relief instead. If individuals require stronger doses or alternate formulas, they can ask their doctors which medicines will best treat their coughs and other allergy or cold symptoms. Physicians may prescribe individual antihistamines, corticosteroids, decongestants and antitussives, or cough suppressants, or combination drug products.
Acrivastine and Pseudoephedrine
Some prescription medications combine powerful antihistamine and decongestant drugs to relieve sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and runny and stuffy noses. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, oral, prescription-controlled acrivastine/pseudoephedrine may cause sedation. People with seasonal cold symptoms may welcome this side effect, which helps them sleep. Those with seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, however, may prefer a non-sedating formula. Cold or hay fever patients who have high blood pressure should not take pseudoephedrine. They should ask their doctors to prescribe a standalone antihistamine and suggest home remedies to relieve stuffy-nose congestion.
Desloratadine
Patients may choose desloratadine when they want a standalone oral antihistamine that doesn't cause drowsiness. Although it doesn't treat coughs or congestion, this prescription medication clears up itching, sneezing and runny-nose hay fever and cold symptoms without affecting blood pressure. The AAAAI points out that physicians can also prescribe a desloratadine formula that includes a decongestant.
Fluticasone Propionate
Individuals who get frequent seasonal cold symptoms or who have perennial allergies may request prescriptions for nasal corticosteroids. Doctors also recommend fluticasone propionate for strong hay fever attacks, although it must be taken daily regardless of the degree of symptoms in order to work.
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that this nasal spray prescription medication does not carry the serious side effects associated with oral and injectable steroids. It is non-sedating and effective for both runny and stuffy noses and itching and sneezing, and can safely be used by heart patients.
Codeine and Guaifenesin
Coughs arise from throat inflammation and irritation from postnasal drip in either colds or allergies. Doctors may prescribe a strong liquid cough medicine for patients who don't respond to over-the-counter formulas such as dextromethorphan. As the Mayo Clinic relates, guaifenesin encourages patients to expectorate the mucus that stimulates a cough. Codeine both suppresses the cough reflex and soothes painful sore throats. Codeine/guaifenesin narcotic cough medicine can be habit forming and is generally not added to other medications.
