*FOR ORDER PICKUP: Simply place your order online and we'll have it waiting for you at the store in as soon as one hour. Colleagues will begin packing orders 30 mins after store opening. 24 hour stores will begin packing orders at 8am. Any order placed by 8:00pm will be ready the same day. If a store closes prior to 8:00 pm, orders placed 90 minutes before store closure will be available same day. If a store closes less than 90 minutes after 8:00pm, orders placed 90 minutes before store closure will be available same day. Holidays may impact store pickup availability hours. CVS® reserves the right to limit the quantity of items ordered for pickup, as well as the days of the year and daily hours this service is offered. When your order is ready, you'll receive a "Ready for pickup" email (separate from your order confirmation email) with additional instructions. To pick up your order, go in the store’s checkout counter and ask a colleague for assistance. After picking up your order, we'll send a "Your order was picked up" confirmation email. Show
*FOR COVID-19 HOME TEST SELECT INSURANCE CLAIM: Applies to fully-insured and self-insured group and individual coverage, including FEHB plans until the end of the public health emergency. This also applies to Medicare and Medicaid plan coverage. Covers up to eight (8) rapid antigen single-test kits or four (4) rapid antigen two-test kits per month. COVID-19 home test kit returns will not be accepted. At-home COVID-19 tests are excluded from all coupon discounts and promotions, including CarePass® and ExtraBucks Rewards®. *Check with your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements. Certain statements not evaluated by the FDA. See product for more detail. Feeling under the weather can make you sluggish, uncomfortable, and fatigued. Whether it's the common cold, a nagging cough, or the flu, you need medicine to help ease your symptoms so you can get back to a normal life. As you shop for cough, cold, and flu medicine, it's important to understand which ones you need and what they can do for you. No matter which one you choose, read on to determine what the right medication is for your specific symptoms. Cold Vs FluBefore purchasing cold, cough and flu medicine, it's a good idea to recognize the symptoms of your condition. A cold usually starts with a sore throat that goes away in a few days. You'll also experience a runny nose, congestion, and a slight cough within a few days. Most people do not have a fever if they have a common cold, however, children may have a slight fever during the first day to two days. A typical cold should last approximately one week. What are Symptoms of the Flu?If you have the flu, your symptoms will be much more severe than a cold. Flu symptoms happen fast, and they usually include a sore throat, headache, muscle aches, fever, cough, and congestion. You could also experience vomiting and diarrhea if you have the flu. Fever and stomach issues are two of the most important factors in determining whether it's the cold or flu. If your symptoms persist for more than a week, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Cold and Flu MedicineYou can purchase a variety of products at your local drugstore to help combat the symptoms of cold, cough, and flu. Cough syrups can coat your throat and keep coughing to a minimum. Certain cough syrups also contain an expectorant, and ingredient that will help to loosen chest congestion. Antibiotics will not help with cold or flu since they are not effective against the cold and flu virus. You can find cold, cough, and flu remedies over the counter that can relieve pain, reduce fever, and help you sleep until your body heals. When you look for treatments, make sure they contain ingredients that will not cause an allergic reaction. Some cold and cough medications contain ingredients that increase the heart rate and are not recommended for patients with high blood pressure. Always read the ingredient label and the dosage directions before you buy a treatment for cold, cough, and flu. If your fever does not break or your symptoms continue to persist, see your doctor as soon as possible. Related Searches sugar free cough syrup , gluten free cough medicine , Neti Pot, best cold medicine for high blood pressure, robitussin dry cough, vicks chest rub, portable vaporizer You have a lot of choices when it comes to over-the-counter (OTC) cold and flu medications. In part, that's because colds and influenza cause a lot of different symptoms. Taking stock of exactly which cold and flu symptoms are bothering you is the first step in figuring out which type of OTC medication is right for you. A single drug targeting a particular symptom may be fine. Or you may want a multi-symptom medication. Decongestants, for example, can help improve stuffiness, analgesics can reduce pain and fever, and other types of medications can help with problems like coughing and sneezing. This article walks you through the various options and how they work, so you can choose the best medication for your cold and flu symptoms.
DecongestantsCongestion is a hallmark symptom of colds and flu. It's caused by swollen blood vessels in the nasal passages and airways. Over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants narrow these blood vessels and decrease inflammation. That means air can flow and mucus can drain. Decongestants come as pills, tablets, liquid, and nasal spray. Oral decongestants include:
Nasal sprays contain oxymetazoline. They deliver relief directly to the nasal passages. OTC brands include:
AnalgesicsAnalgesics are painkillers and fever reducers. Common OTC analgesics are:
Aspirin and acetaminophen may work better for fevers and headaches. Ibuprofen and naproxen may be better for body aches. For fevers above 102 degrees, it may help to alternate between acetaminophen and ibuprofen every three hours. That's especially true if the fever comes back as the medication wears off. A note about acetaminophen: Taking too much acetaminophen can cause potentially fatal liver damage. Don't take more than 4,000 milligrams (mg) of acetaminophen per day. This drug is in dozens of OTC products. Read labels closely to make sure you don't take more than one product containing this drug. In children with a cold or other virus, aspirin or other salicylate medicines increase the risk of Reye's syndrome. Children under 18 shouldn't take aspirin unless specifically instructed to by a healthcare provider. Cough MedicineTreating a cough from a cold or flu is tricky. The type of cough determines the kind of medicine you need.
The time of day also matters. Antitussives quiet a cough so you can sleep. The generic antitussive dextromethorphanis in many OTC medicines, including:
During the day, you want your cough to clear mucus from your lungs. If the mucus isn't removed, it can lead to pneumonia or other lung infections. An expectorant loosens chest congestion and thins mucus so it can drain. It doesn't stop a cough; it helps your cough remove mucus better. The expectorant guaifenesin is the only expectorant approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It's in multiple brand-name products, including:
OTC cold medicine isn't recommended for children under 4. And kids between 4 and 6 should only take cough medicine under a healthcare provider’s supervision. AntihistaminesMany people turn to antihistamines (allergy pills) for sneezing and a stuffy or runny nose. They may not be the right choice. Antihistamines block the chemical histamine. Your body releases that in response to an allergen, such as pollen or dust. Common antihistamines include:
Antihistamines relieve congestion related to allergies. But their effect on the common cold is questionable. A review of 18 high-quality trials found antihistamines may help relieve congestion in the first two days of a cold. They're less effective on day three or later. Some antihistamines have side effects including:
Are Antihistamines Safe for You?Talk to your healthcare provider before taking antihistamines if you have:
Multi-Symptom TreatmentsMulti-symptom formulas typically include a combination of:
These treat many different cold and flu symptoms in one dose. But they should be used with caution. Always read the ingredients list. Make sure the product only includes drugs that treat symptoms you have. Don't take other medications or you could risk an accidental overdose or drug interactions. For example, if a medicine contains acetaminophen, don't also take Tylenol, Midol, or Excedrin, because they also contain acetaminophen. Also, don't take cough syrup with multi-symptom products that contain dextromethorphan or guaifenesin. You may get a dangerous double dose of those drugs. SummaryKnowing what cold and flu medicines do helps you choose the best medication for your symptoms. Decongestants help clear stuffed-up nasal passages and airways. Analgesics treat pain and fever. Cough suppressants treat dry coughs. They also quiet a cough so you can sleep. Expectorants loosen up phlegm in your lungs and help it drain. They're good during the day for wet coughs. Antihistamines may help cold and flu symptoms somewhat. But they're better for allergies. With multi-symptom treatments, look for one with ingredients that match your symptoms. Read labels of everything you take to avoid doubling up on a drug. A Word From VerywellSome people turn to natural treatments or home remedies for cold and flu symptoms. But certain supplements can interact with OTC medications. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist before using a supplement plus an OTC cold or flu product. Frequently Asked Questions
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By Kristina Duda, RN Thanks for your feedback! What is the best medicine for a cold and runny nose?When you have a cold, your body makes chemicals called histamines. That leads to sneezing, a runny nose, and watery eyes. Over-the-counter antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine and diphenhydramine block this process and can relieve those symptoms.
What stops a runny nose the fastest?Typically, the best treatment for a runny nose includes:. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.. Use a saline nasal spray to help relieve symptoms. ... . A cool-mist humidifier at your bedside can combat congestion worsened by dry winter air.. How do you stop a runny nose in adults?10 home remedies for helping to ease a runny nose. Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking fluids and staying hydrated when dealing with a runny nose can be helpful if you also have symptoms of nasal congestion. ... . Hot teas. ... . Humidifier. ... . Facial steam. ... . Hot shower. ... . Neti pot. ... . Nasal spray. ... . Warm compress.. What is a good cold medicine for adults?Overview. |