The flu season can strike at any time, leaving us feeling unwell with symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, and fatigue. While getting a flu shot is the best prevention, sometimes the flu sneaks through. That’s when having the right over-the-counter flu medicines can make all the difference. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults experience two or three colds a year, and children even more. That’s millions of people affected by cold seasons. As temperatures drop and seasons change, our immune systems weaken, making us more vulnerable to flu viruses.
Therefore, over-the-counter flu medicine can help you tackle the flu head-on. This article will discuss the top 5 over-the-counter flu medicines to have on hand.
Why Over-The-Counter Flu Medicine?
You might be wondering, why over-the-counter medicine? You know how devastating it feels when you have flu and how important it is to have medicine to help ease the situation. Well, over-the-counter flu medicines are readily available and lack prescriptions, making them convenient for anyone. Even though they don’t treat the infection, they help you feel better and recover faster by alleviating the flu symptoms.
Over-the-counter flu medicines come in various forms, such as syrups, tablets, and even lozenges, allowing you to choose one that suits your needs and preferences. However, choosing the right over-the-counter medicine to treat your symptoms can be overwhelming. Some medicines offer all-in-one relief, while others treat certain specific symptoms. But do you know the best one? Let’s explore!
Top 5 Medicines for Flu Season
#1. Theraflu Multi-Symptom Severe Cold Relief
Theraflu Multi-Symptom Severe Cold Relief helps to treat both the flu and the common cold. If you need to relieve cold or flu symptoms and get back to your feet faster, Theraflu powder is to go to medicine. While it might seem the easiest way to treat the flu, the hot liquid powder soothes even the most frustrating symptoms, and drinking the concoction helps with sore throats.
However, this medication is not suitable for ongoing coughs from asthma, smoking, or other long-term breathing conditions. Its ingredients include honey, green tea, lemon, and chamomile, giving you a great taste. Theraflu tea medicine targets many symptoms but can also be effective if you are unsure whether you have a cold or flu. Before taking this over-the-counter medicine, read all the instructions on the product package and consult your pharmacist in case of doubts. Improper use of this medication can lead to seizures, brain damage, or even death. Use as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
It treats symptoms like:
- Headaches
- Coughing
- Fever
- Sore throats
- Sinus congestion
- Nasal congestion
- Minor body aches and pain
#2. Vicks DayQuil Cold & Flu Multi-Symptom Relief
Just like Theraflu Multi-Symptom Severe Cold Relief, Vicks DayQuil Cold & Flu Multi-Symptom Relief is used to treat the common cold and the flu, giving you quick relief for about four hours. It is safe to take this medication during the day due to its non-drowsy nature; it lacks the sleep-inducing antihistamine. It helps temporarily relieve pain that might distract you or make you uncomfortable.
Vicks DayQuil Cold & Flu Multi-Symptom Relief has been a trusted brand for over 100 years, giving you peace of mind. It is the pharmacist’s recommendation for daytime cold, cough, and flu brands. However, use a medication dosing cup or oral syringe to measure the dosage for accuracy. You can take the medication with or without food, but in case of stomach upset, try taking the medication on a full stomach.
What it treats:
- Sore throat and throat irritation
- Nasal congestion
- Headache
- Fever
- Body aches and pain
- Light coughs
#3. Robitussin Maximum Strength Cough + Chest Congestion DM
Robitussin Maximum Strength Cough + Chest Congestion DM is one of the best medicines when your are experiencing intense cough and a lot of mucus. This over-the-counter flu medicine contains two active ingredients:
- Dextromethorphan (DM) is a cough suppressant that reduces the urge to cough. It helps to relieve persistent dry coughs.
- Guaifenesin is an expectorant that helps loosen and thin mucus in the airways, making it easier to cough and relieve chest congestion.
The combination of these active ingredients is meant to provide relief from chest congestion and coughs. Robitussin Maximum Strength Cough + Chest Congestion DM breaks the mucus congested in your chest and reduces coughs after just a few doses. It treats ailments like flu, common cold, bronchitis, and other respiratory-related infections, where coughing and chest congestion are prevalent. Its non-drowsy nature allows it to be taken at any time.
Moreover, it reduces the frequency of the coughs, helping you get back to your feet faster and without many visible symptoms. The strong, soothing action of Robitussin Maximum Strength Cough syrup is raspberry-flavored and is also available in liquid-filled capsules. Children over 12 years and adults should take 20ML of Robitussin Maximum Strength Cough + Chest Congestion DM every four hours. If you are experiencing nighttime coughs, try Robitussin Maximum Strength Nighttime Cough DM for nighttime cough relief.
What it treats:
- Chest congestion
- Thins and loosens mucus
- Light and heavy coughs
#4. Mucinex Sinus-Max Max Strength, Day and Night
Mucinex Sinus-Max Max Strength, Day and Night is designed to treat the common cold. Common cold’s frustrating symptom is congestion, a stuffy nose, difficulty breathing, and headaches due to pressure in your sinus that leaves you struggling day and night. Mucinex Sinus-Max Max Strength helps you fight these symptoms any time of the day. The medicine pack contains capsules for the daytime and capsules for the nighttime. The day capsules help to alleviate pressure and pain as well as sinuses, while night capsules give you a good night’s sleep with the same features but with a little extra power that soothes you while you rest. It is important to read the packaging and follow instructions for every specific product, as ingredients and instructions may vary based on formulation.
Furthermore, be aware of any side effects associated with the medication. Consult with a healthcare professional in case of any concerns or questions concerning the usage of this medicine. Mucinex Sinus-Max Max Strength, Day and Night’s extra strong medicine formula, helps you get quick relief.
What it treats:
- Cough
- Sneeze
- Running nose
- Congestion
- Sinuses pressure
- Headaches
#5. Tylenol Cold + Head
Tylenol Cold + Head relieves some of the most painful symptoms of the common cold. This powerful medication soothes symptoms like scratchy sore throats, headaches, and sinus pressure. Tylenol Cold + Head has the same relieving power as regular Tylenol but with additional benefits to fight the common cold. Additionally, it can help alleviate some flu symptoms. The acetaminophen in this medication helps reduce symptoms like fever, headache, and body aches. Since it was primarily targeted for cold-like symptoms, the medication might not be able to treat some flu symptoms.
Tylenol cold + Head is taken orally, with or without food, every four to six hours as the doctor directs. When under the medication, drink lots of fluids to help loosen mucus in your lungs. If you use Tylenol Cold + Head, measure the dosage using a measuring device for accuracy and shake the bottle well before each dosage. If your condition lasts more than a week or causes a headache that doesn’t go away, inform your doctor.
What it treats:
- Nasal Congestion
- Sore throats
- Fever
- Headaches
- Body aches and pain
- Sinus and Head pressure
How To Prepare for Cold and Flu Season
Cold and flu season is a sure thing, and it’s coming whether you are ready or not. Everyone hopes to keep themselves and their loved ones healthy. If this is the case, you must prepare yourself. Symptoms like nose congestion, sinus, and sore throat can make you feel sick and uncomfortable. To combat these symptoms quickly, you need to have some of the proper medications at home. Get medications for now and before cold and flu strike at home. You can compare and consider different medicine options and have an at-home supply of medicines that help fight seasonal diseases. You can also consult your pharmacist for the suitable options that you may need.
Here are some tips to help you prepare for the flu season:
- Check your medicine cabinet: your cabinet should contain pain and fever relievers and any other medications you use when you have the flu.
- Get your flu shots: this is one of the best ways to help keep the flu away. Make sure your family gets vaccinated.
- Disinfect: disinfect and dust your surfaces and highly touched items.
- Practice healthy living habits that can boost your immunity.
- Practice proper hand washing.
Choosing Over-the-Counter Flu Medicine for Flu Season
If you find yourself coming down with a cough or you want to be prepared for when that time comes, you might need a quick over-the-counter flu medicine to fix it. But with so many products to choose from, this can be overwhelming. There is no one right way to treat a flu or cold, but with the guidance of your pharmacist, you can navigate this. However, choosing the proper flu treatment depends on your symptoms. Always check the product’s ingredients and read instructions before making a purchase. In case of any questions, ask the doctor or pharmacist to ensure you’re getting the right product.
