What medication do you take for a common cold?

[RichterScale7]

I usually just suffer through it with lots of water / hot drinks and ibuprofen. Paracetamol does nothing for me. On holiday in the US now with a head full of cold, DH the same also with chesty cough. In the supermarket there is so much choice - mucus dissolve by, cough suppressant, decongestion medicines etc. This made me wonder if we are missing a trick by not taking advantage of all these symptoms relievers? The cold is going to take however long it needs to go, so why suffer more than perhaps we could? Are we just behind times in not taking any other medicines?

Curious to hear others experience with any additional medication - does it help?

Nothing really

Unless my nose is blocked, then I'll use a nasal spray.

Night nurse so that I can actually sleep. Maybe Lemsip if I have time. Paracetamol during the day.

Paracetamol cold cures and Night Nurse.

You can get either pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine here and the phenylephrine is not as effective as the pseudoephedrine as far as I can tell. So seconding the recommendation for pseudoephedrine.

Beechams powders I find best.

Aren't a week and seven days the same thing? Sorry am confused!

I don't generally, but will make a hot toddy based on my Grancha's recipe (hot water, honey, lemon, ginger and a healthy tot of whisky) to help me sleep and therefore recover.

But if I have no option and have to put the brakes on my symptoms for a work event or similar, then this stuff really works (although probably also prolongs the illness overall): https://lloydspharmacy.com/products/contac-non-drowsy-dual-relief-tablets-x-18

I always use sudafed and cocodamol

Yes!! That's the point! It doesn't make any difference if you 'treat' or not!

Just checking..!

Unless it came with a headache, I’d take nothing. If I have a headache, I’d take ibuprofen or paracetamol if I could find any in the cupboard.

Not very good for you.

Zinc - double dose
Vitamin C - double dose
If I have a chesty cough, an inch of milk with a 1/4 spoon of tumeric. 10 secs in the microwave. But you can have it room temp. Nothing cold.
Paracetamol at night

Lemsip and Strepsils.

Cocodomol or night nurse
Vaporub or similar so I can breathe
Golden latte to boost health and for comfort.

I would choose a Rioja.

I feel one needs something reasonably robust at such a time.

I was drinking miniature flavoured gins straight the first time I had covid, was so bad I was a little delirious with it. It helped

Exactly this. I still have to work and care for a disabled child when I have a cold. I don’t have the option to rest, as he still needs caring for, including throughout the night. So I take whatever I can to make me feel better!

because ?

Why is Neti potting not good for you?

@luckylavender that question was for you re Neti pot (above)

None. I don't like taking medication unless I really have to. I can manage fine without with a cold.

Hot toddy..natural ingredients like lemon,honey,garlic,cinammon,turmeric
This is the time of year now to be harvesting elderberries and blackberries to make syrups and tinctures.
Steam inhalation with essential oils such as eucalyptus,or use herbs such as rosemary or basil to help clear the head.Yarrow as a tea will induce sweating.

And....regular paracetamol also helps!

Lempsip, paracetamol, Anadin, nasal spray, Vic, eucalyptus cough sweets, honey and lemon - any of these might feature, but probs not ibruprophen as that’s more for pain.

I find single Anadin is brilliant for a bout of allergic reaction hayfever

Decongestant and cough mixture at night so I can sleep.

Paracetamol if I have a headache.

Maybe suck a Strepsil if I've got any, if I've got a sore throat.

Drink lots of hot tea.

It's really about treating the symptoms, rather than expecting to cure it.