Summary
Hey, you know how we always rush to buy cold medicine at the first sign of a sniffle? Apparently, many of them are as useful as a chocolate teapot! This article I read says the FDA is removing a popular decongestant, phenylephrine, from pharmacy shelves since it’s proven ineffective. But don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom. There are some things that can help – like good old ibuprofen or Tylenol for aches and pains, pseudoephedrine for stuffy noses, and surprisingly, honey for coughs! Oh, and it turns out the best way to fight a cold might be as simple as washing your hands, masking up, and staying away from sick people. Who would have thunk!
Key Points
• Over-the-counter cold medicines often do little to reduce the most uncomfortable symptoms of respiratory virus season, but there are some exceptions worth noting and non-pharmaceutical interventions that can help.
• Pain and fever reducers, certain decongestants and antihistamines, and nasal sprays or inhalers containing cromolyn sodium or ipratropium bromide have been proven effective. Cough medicines have not been found as effective.
• Remedies such as honey, zinc, and vitamin C have shown some effectiveness in reducing cold symptoms.
• Preventive steps such as handwashing, ventilating and filtering air in shared spaces, strategic masking, and avoiding sick people can help prevent illness.
• Vaccines and medications are available for some viruses that cause cold symptoms, such as Covid and the flu.
Background
• The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract and is usually harmless. It is caused by many different types of viruses, making it challenging to prevent or treat effectively.
• Over-the-counter cold medicines have been a staple in treating cold symptoms, but their effectiveness has been under scrutiny. In recent years, research has shown that many of these medicines do little to alleviate cold symptoms.
Future Implications
• As research continues into the effectiveness of over-the-counter cold medicines, we may see changes in the types of medicines available and how they are marketed.
• There may be an increase in the development and use of non-pharmaceutical interventions for treating cold symptoms.
• The pandemic has highlighted the importance of preventive measures such as handwashing and masking, which could lead to a decrease in the prevalence of common colds in the future.
