Cough And Sore Throat Medicine

What Else Can I Do To Feel Better For A Cold Or Cough

If you decide that you don’t want to take cold and cough medicines, there are other ways to feel better:

• Drink lots of fluids
• Use a cool mist humidifier
• Use saline nose drops or sprays
• Use nasal suctioning with a bulb syringe, which can be very helpful in children under a year old

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

What Are Cold And Cough Medicines

Cold and cough medicines can help relieve symptoms of a common cold. The symptoms of a cold can include a sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, and coughing.

You don’t usually need to treat a cold or the cough that it causes. You can’t cure a cold, and antibiotics won’t help you get better. But sometimes the symptoms can keep you awake or cause a lot of discomfort. In that case, cold and cough medicines can sometimes be helpful.

Best Cough Drops For A Sore Throat

Cepacol cough drops are small to stash in a pocket and use two oral anesthetics to numb and soothe your throat.

Pros: They melt slowly for a long-lasting numbing effect, affordable

Cons: Pain relief only lasts about two hours, mild interactions with acetaminophen

Many people like a lozenge when they have a cough since the medicine is small enough to fit in your pocket or purse and it can be nice to suck on something soothing over time. If you prefer a cough drop or portability is your goal, Cepacol may make more sense than buying a bottle of Chloraseptic spray.

A 2018 study out of Germany found sucking on cough drops with benzocaine, among other ingredients, for three days significantly helped improve throat pain and made swallowing easier for folks with a sore throat. Meanwhile, an older 2012 study found similar benefits from lozenges with benzocaine alone.

For less than $4, Cepacol drops help to soothe and numb your throat, similar to Chloraseptic. But these cough drops use two oral anesthetics benzocaine and menthol instead of phenol.

There are two formulas: Cepacol Instamax which has the added cool of menthol, and Cepacol Extra Strength. We recommend Extra Strength since not everyone loves menthol. Also, it comes in honey lemon flavor, which means you can also drop the lozenge into hot tea if you want to dilute the medicinal flavor.

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Customer Questions & Answers

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When To See A Doctor About Throat Pain

Dr. Allan advises using common sense when deciding whether to seek out medical care.

• Have throat pain thats severe, prolonged or not improving, or stretches into your ear.
• Have trouble swallowing, breathing or opening your mouth.
• Are coughing up blood or have blood in your saliva.
• Feel enlarged lymph nodes, or lumps, in your neck.
• Have white patches on the back of your throat or a rash, possible signs of strep throat or scarlet fever.
• Have a high fever.
• Lose your voice for more than a week or two.

And remember, when it comes to illnesses, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Wash your hands often. And if you do get sick, Dr. Allan recommends immediately replacing your toothbrush with a fresh, germ-free one.

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Best Cold Medicine For Headache

Headaches occur frequently with the common cold. Often, headaches happen secondarily to swelling in the nasal passages and accumulation of mucus, and may result in what is referred to as a sinus headache-causing pressure and pain in the forehead, behind the eyes, and worsens with bending over or lying down. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen will provide the best pain relief as they reduce inflammation. Other medications, like expectorants and decongestants, can complement the NSAID to help drain the mucus and decrease the pressure.

What Is The Cause Behind A Sore Throat

There are several different causes of a sore throat.

They include viruses, such as those that cause colds, the flu, and COVID-19. Bacteria, specifically those that cause strep throat, can cause a sore throat too.

Allergies to substances such as pollen, mold, and pet dander are another possible cause. So are irritants in the environment, such as secondhand smoke, air pollution, or chemical fumes.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease or a tumor in the throat can cause a sore throat as well.

According to the , a viral infection is the most common cause of a sore throat.

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Best Sore Throat Medicine For Kids

Little Remedies Sore Throat Pops use pectin and honey for natural sore throat relief, in a form your kids will love.

Pros: Tasty, soothing, medicine-free

Cons: Contain honey and are a choking hazard so not safe for kids under 3

If your child has a sore throat from the flu, strep throat, or COVID-19, chances are, they are already taking other medicine to help with all their symptoms. Little Remedies Sore Throat Pops will be a welcome break from the icky-tasting stuff, and since they contain only natural throat-soothers, they can be safely combined with other medicine.

Formulated as a lollypop, this product’s active ingredient is pectin, which Keller says is a natural anti-inflammatory that soothes irritation. Pectin is a fiber found in fruit that has many uses, one being that it coats the throat. Each lolly pop also has a small amount of honey in them to further coat the throat.

When I tried these pops, I found they had a pleasant, slightly sweet taste compared to the numbing products. These lollypops eliminate a bunch of unknown ingredients, including preservatives, and they are also gluten-free. Though they have fewer artificial sweeteners than other treatments, these suckers do still contain honey and corn syrup. Keller says the latter shouldn’t worry you too much corn syrup is safe, just not healthy in high amounts.

What Do I Need To Know About Taking Cold And Cough Medicines

Before taking these medicines, read the labels and follow the instructions carefully. Many cold and cough medicines contain the same active ingredients. For example, some of them include pain relievers. If you are taking these medicines and are also taking a separate pain reliever, you could be getting a dangerous amount of the pain reliever.

Do not give cold or cough medicines to children under two, and don’t give aspirin to children.

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Best Cold Medicine For Children

Cold medicines for children can get tricky. Children should not be given medications that are packaged and made for adults, and parents need to be aware that OTC products may contain multiple ingredients. It is very important to pay attention to the drug label, and discuss any questions with healthcare professionals since the risk of giving children more than the recommended dose, giving medication too often, and giving more than one product containing the same medication are common mistakes made. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against using cough and cold medications in young children. It is also important to avoid any aspirin-containing medications in children, especially those with viral illnesses, given the risk of Reyes syndrome. Medications containing codeine and its derivatives, while effective in treating cough, should be avoided in those less than 18 years of age.

Toddlers

Infants

Remedies To Soothe Your Sore Throat Pain

A sore throat is often the first sign that you are coming down with a cold or the flu.

A sore throat is an inflammation at the back of throat and surrounding area, known as the pharynx. That inflammation leads to common sore throat symptoms like scratchiness, pain, swelling, and discomfort.

Acting fast when you notice that first telltale tingle or twinge of pain might help keep your sore throat symptoms to a minimum. If your sore throat has quickly taken on a life of its own, donât worry. There are plenty of over-the-counter medicines for sore throat â some of them already in your kitchen cupboard or medicine cabinet â ready to help ease the pain and scratchiness.

Keep reading for 10 remedies for sore throat ready to ease your pain.

From its warm, amber color to its thick, syrupy consistency, and mild, sweet taste honey is natureâs sore throat remedy. Honey boasts a range of anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties.1

As a precaution, children under 1 year of age should not consume honey due to susceptibility to a toxin it may contain.2

Saltwater Gargle

Itâs something most of us grew up with and might be the first thing you think of when a sore throat catches hold. Gargling with warm salt water reduces inflammation, promotes healing, and inhibits the growth of bacteria in the mouth. Salt water also helps thin mucus and is a one of the best home remedies for cough and sore throat. Gargle twice a day for sore throat relief.3

Baking Soda Gargle

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Medications Not Considered Effective Against Covid

Antibiotics are not effective in treating COVID, which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, because antibiotics only work against bacteria, not viruses.

Please don’t believe in any products not authorized by the FDA that claim to prevent or treat the coronavirus at home.

• This includes ivermectin, which the FDA says is not approved to treat COVID and can be dangerous if taken in large doses.
• Likewise, the National Institutes of Health concluded that hydroxychloroquine is not an effective treatment for COVID.

Oral Pain Relievers/fever Reducers

Acetaminophen – for pain/fever. Comes in 325 or 500 mg tablets. Can take 650-1000 mg 3 times daily. Do not exceed 4,000 mg/24 hrs. Some OTC cold and flu medications contain acetaminophen.Ibuprofen – for pain/fever/inflammation. Comes in 200 mg tablets. Can take 400-600 mg 3 times daily with food. Do not exceed 2400 mg/24 hrs.Naproxen sodium – for pain/fever/inflammation. Comes in 220 mg tablets. Can take 220 mg – 440 mg twice daily with food.

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Best Cold Medicine For Body Aches

Analgesics refer to medications that relieve different types of pain. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are also examples of analgesics, so for those suffering from both a fever and body aches, many will experience relief from both symptoms with a single agent. These are common ingredients in combination cold medication products, so always be sure to read the labels of the medications you are taking. These medications may need to be avoided with certain health conditions, so you can always discuss with an expert if these are your best option.

To Monitor Your Oxygen Level

A home pulse oximeter, which clips to your finger and measures how much oxygen is in your blood, can help you monitor your condition. This may be recommended by your doctor, especially if you have risk factors for severe illness. Talk to your doctor about how to use it and what oxygen level should prompt a call to the doctor.

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Symptoms Of Sore Throat

A sore throat can make it painful to swallow. A sore throat can also feel dry and scratchy. Sore throat can be a symptom of strep throat, the common cold, allergies, or other upper respiratory tract illness. Sore throat caused by a virus or the bacteria called group A Streptococcus can have similar symptoms.

Sometimes the following symptoms suggest a virus is causing the illness instead of Strep throat:

Find The Best Cold Medicine Based On Your Symptoms

Types of cold medicine | Best cold medicines | How to get rid of a cold fast | Natural remedies | Symptom-specific cold medicines | When to see a doctor

The common cold is a viral infection that affects the nose and throat. The bad news is that it takes some time to get over a cold virus, but the good news is that treatment requires just a quick trip to the pharmacy. Cold medicine like decongestants and cough suppressants can help alleviate symptoms such as a stuffy nose or sore throat. Lets take a look at some of the best cold medicines so youll know what to look for if you or one of your family members gets a cold.

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What Else We Recommend

• Ricola Original Herb : While Ricola products do the trick, the herbaceous taste and fragrance can be off-putting. These are worth a try if you don’t mind an earthy, medicinal taste .
• Halls Cough Drops : Halls products use cooling menthol to soothe your throat and nasal passages. These are widely available products and very affordable.

Robitussin Adult Severe Cough + Sore Throat Relief Maximum Strength

SKUNot Available For Sale OnlineVisit our Pharmacy Counter for Purchaseaccount icon

Item No. 0378932

You’re coughing up a storm. Your throat is so sore it’s hard to swallow. There’s no denying it, you’re sick. When nothing else works, feel like yourself again with a soothing formula specially formulated to relieve your worst cough & sore throat pain. Life is happening, don’t let sick stop you.

• Works to relieve even the worst cough and sore throat
• Maximum strength formula to relieve symptoms occurring with a cold or flu
• Strong cooling liquid for powerful sore throat relief
• Non-Drowsy Pain Reliever and Fever Reducing cough medicine for adults
• Contains 4oz bottle and dosing cup. For ages 12 and over.
• This item may be eligible for FSA and HSA reimbursement. For any questions you may have regarding FSAs or HSAs, please browse our FAQ.

Do not take more than 6 doses in any 24-hour period. Do not exceed recommended dosage. Taking more than the recommended dose may cause serious liver damage. Measure only with dosing cup provided. Keep dosing cup with product. mL milliliter. This adult product is not intended for use in children under 12 years of age. For adults and children 12 years and over, use 20mL every 4 hours. For children under under 12 years, do not use.

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Best Natural Remedies For A Sore Throat

Zarbee’s products are more than 96% honey, which is one of the best natural remedies for a sore throat as it helps suppress coughing.

Pros: Natural ingredients no processed sugars, artificial colors, or artificial flavors tasty

Cons: Expensive, not suitable for kids under 5

“Honey is great because it coats the throat,” Richard Bowen, PA-C, a primary care provider in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Georgetown, SC told Insider. This reduces the irritation, which is why some use honey to soothe burns. As an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral, studies show that honey can help with all kinds of healing.

Bowen says honey won’t get rid of your cold, but he does feel that it is a great natural remedy for a sore throat as it soothes the pain and irritation by tackling the inflammation.

In fact, naturopathic doctor Melanie Keller, ND, says that honey is her first recommendation for any cold symptoms. “Honey has been used both as food and medicine since ancient times.” She adds that research shows honey has an inhibitory effect on around 60 species of bacteria and some fungi and viruses.

We like Zarbee’s cough drops in particular because its formula is entirely honey and natural flavorings, so there’s more of the natural medicine and no processed sugars, artificial colors, or artificial flavors. The medicine comes in lozenge form, so it’s less messy than a liquid-based honey formula. And most of all, it tastes good.

How Do You Get Rid Of A Cold Fast

Generally, once infected with the common cold you simply must allow it to run its course. The average cold lasts anywhere from several days to several weeks. Even though you wont beat a cold in 24 hours, with proper medicine and home remedies, you should be able to get symptom relief quickly which may help you feel like yourself in just a few days. Here are some of the best cold remedies:

Staying at home while youre treating your cold is always a good idea if youre able to do so. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends staying home if you have a cold to help prevent spreading it to others. Keeping children out of school or daycare if they have a cold is also a good idea to help keep others from getting sick.

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