The Best OTC Drugs for Cold Relief

Cold season is upon us. When it strikes, make sure that it doesn't stay long. There's no reason to waste money visiting the doctor for the common cold virus. Several over-the-counter (OTC) remedies eliminate cold symptoms without putting your body out of commission.

1. Vick's Formula 44D. If your cold symptoms include coughing and nasal stuffiness, a decongestant is what you need. It quiets your cough and shrinks nasal passages allowing you to breathe through your nose again. Vick's Formula 44D liquid is safe for children and adults. This reduces the cost of medicine because one formula treats the entire family. Vick's Formula 44D is non-drowsy. Kids can take this medicine and go to school. Parents can take this medicine and continue working. Vicks Formula 44D is taken every six hours so it provides steady relief through a school day and the majority of the work day. If taken when a cold first occurs, Vick's Formula 44D relieves symptoms in about three days to a week. The average cold lasts about two weeks.

2. Theraflu Severe Cold. If your cold symptoms seem to be worse at night and prevent you from achieving a restful night's sleep, try Theraflu Severe Cold. Theraflu relieves runny nose, cough, sore throat, body aches, nasal congestion, and headache due to cold. Each packet contains a lemon flavored medication in powdered form. Add the entire packet to a steaming cup of hot water and mix thoroughly. If the taste is too bitter, add a packet or two of sugar substitute to sweeten the taste. Theraflu Severe Cold has a daytime and a nighttime formula. The nighttime formula allows the cold sufferer to sleep while the powerful medicine relieves cold symptoms. To continue treatment without missing a beat, use the daytime Theraflu Severe Cold non-drowsy formula to experience cold symptom relief throughout the day as well. For those who can't take pills or who have multiple symptoms, Theraflu Severe Cold provides much needed relief in a tasty hot liquid.

3. Mucinex expectorant. If chest congestion is your problem, try Mucinex expectorant. Chest congestion is caused by a build up of mucus in your chest. Mucinex expectorant thins out this mucus and breaks it up. Coughs become more productive and move the mucus out. Mucinex expectorant comes in an assortment of formulas if other symptoms accompany the chest congestion. Mucinex makes a children's formula as well. It comes in an expectorant liquid or mini-melts in a variety of kid-friendly flavors.

All of these products are available at leading drugstore chains around the country. At the first sign of a cold, pick up the one that is right for you and your family.