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?

Also answers why they also sell Narcan single dose sprays for very little cost.

Reading with interest as the whole household here are down with bad colds (which I brought in so can't blame the DC).

I just use paracetamol (preferably a day/night one if I can get it). But I may throw some antihistamines and sudafed into the mix based on previous comments. I would also go for the Rioja, but wouldn't be able to taste it

Also answers why they also sell Narcan single dose sprays for very little cost.

Opioids do suppress coughs (and breathing!) but I wouldn't for a cold! Using a bazooka to kill a fly.

This. And eat loads of fruit. Drink herb tea with honey. Vicks on your feet when you sleep. Vitamin D all winter. Probiotics always.

At the first whiff of a cold use otrivin nasal spray ( menthol one). That seems to short circuit the cold to about 4 days as you just don’t have any congestion ( dont use it more than a week though or you get addicted). For coughs I get a proper cough medicine from HK that still has codeine in it that stops it dead- having a cough is such a PITA if you literally can’t stop coughing on a call or whatever and a dry cough can linger a bit otherwise.

I don't get you OP - all those medicines are available over here too. You just need to be careful that you aren't overdosing - eg taking more than one medication which has paracetamol. And not taking decongestants for too long as this can cause problems in itself.

Not in the wild formulations and quantities added to that the million brands and combos. It really is wild pharm in the US and it all locked cabinet and you have to ring a bell and the assistant comes and opens the cabinet for you (this is my experience)

The tables I posted had a superset and an expectorant in it .

Pseudroepherine is more difficult to get but it is great for many ailment. Not just cold but can make people feel odd. Not sure if you need a prescription. (because people turn it in to crystal
Meth)

Im on the brandy now but I cant even taste it!

What's the difference between an opioid and an opiate?

(I could Google...)

I googled. Opiates are naturally derived from theopium poppy, e.g. morphine, heroin. Opioid may be produced in a lab.

Deleted as seems to have posted twice.

Paracetamol is all I usually have. Being restricted to 8 Paracetamol per day though only really covers 12 hours in 24 hours so if it's a really bad cold I sometimes alternate between Paracetamol and Ibuprofen.

I also drink ridiculous amounts of herbal tea as that keeps me super hydrated and stops all the snot bunging up my sinuses.

I do sometimes 'boil my head' with the hot water, olbas oil and towel over head thing.