Influenza, whether seasonal or H1N1 (swine flu), carries symptoms such as fever, body aches, stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing and coughing. Though the flu cannot be cured with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs--or even prescription drugs--many symptoms can be relieved or lessened with OTC medications.
Analgesics and Antipyretics
Fever, headache and body aches are common flu symptoms which can be treated with over-the-counter medication. Acetaminophen is the most commonly used analgesic/antipyretic for the treatment of fever and mild to moderate pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen are also commonly used. Aspirin should not be used for the treatment of flu symptoms due to the possibility of developing a life-threatening condition known as Reye syndrome, particularly in children and adolescents.
Nasal Decongestants
Nasal decongestants can be obtained without a doctor's prescription. Phenylephrine is a common decongestant in many combination OTC cold products, and is available as a single-agent medication in pill form. Pseudoephedrine may be more effective at relieving nasal congestion or stuffiness for some, but it will have to be obtained from the pharmacy counter, as it requires an adult signature to purchase. Nasal decongestant sprays containing oxymetazoline may be effective, but they should not be used for more than three days without the advice of a physician.
Antihistamines
A runny nose and sneezing can be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines. Loratidine is a common non-sedating antihistamines, while older medications such as diphenhydramine, brompheniramine and chlorpheniramine are considered to be more sedating, but may be more effective. Most combination cold remedies which claim to treat a runny nose and sneezing will contain one of the older antihistamines, and may cause drowsiness
Cough Medications
An over-the-counter cough suppressant containing dextromethorphan may help to reduce the frequency and severity of a cough. Medications containing guaifenesin may help to loosen chest congestion. In all cases, care should be taken to read the ingredient list of any over-the-counter medication to avoid inadvertent duplication of medications, particularly when using combination products.
