# Do over-the-counter cold medicines work for anybody? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 20, 2019, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097 "2019-01-20T06:03:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097/21 "2019-01-20T20:08:25Z")
NyQuil gives me paradoxical effects- I feel 100x worse, can’t sleep, get hot flashes and cold chills, feel delirious, ache down to the bones. It’s like concentrated flu symptoms in a bottle for me. So I don’t take THAT. But Theraflu does seem to help with some symptoms, or AlkaSeltzer cold and flu. ---
**Author:** ![Anny\_Middon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097/22 "2019-01-20T21:15:13Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > For those who are saying what particular meds you take, that’s not really what I was trying to get at. I’m just curious if anything actually works, and how well. Suppose you’re bedridden without the medicine, coughing and dripping out of multiple orifices; how much better do you feel with it? Do you go to work, go to the grocery store for some soup, heat up some canned soup in your kitchen, or are you still in bed but just a little less miserable? If your condition without the medicine is a 10, what is it after? I’ll be damned if I can find anything that gets me below a 9. Is there a Chinese restaurant in your area that delivers? If so, you can avoid the trip to the grocery and order some chicken broth-based soup. I’d go with wonton soup, but egg drop is good too. Also order some appetizers you like and ask for extra Chinese mustard. Chinese mustard and horseradish do wonders in clearing sinuses. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097/23 "2019-01-20T21:38:26Z")
> [@Anny\_Middon](#): > > Is there a Chinese restaurant in your area that delivers? If so, you can avoid the trip to the grocery and order some chicken broth-based soup. I’d go with wonton soup, but egg drop is good too. Also order some appetizers you like and ask for extra Chinese mustard. Chinese mustard and horseradish do wonders in clearing sinuses. I appreciate the thought, but I can barely drink a glass of fruit juice right now. I’ve got some soup in the fridge, but I think that heating it up and eating it may be just a bit more than I can manage right now. I was hoping the meds would get me to the point where I could do some normal human activities, like eating. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097/24 "2019-01-20T21:55:32Z")
Note that phenylephrine has been seriously [questioned](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19230461) as an effective decongestant, esp. when taken orally. OTOH, it is a treatment for [priapism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenylephrine#Priapism). So, that’s good, right? Phenylpropanolamine is a good decongestant for me. But I’m conserving my stash. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097/25 "2019-01-20T22:15:34Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Phenylpropanolamine is a good decongestant for me. Thanks, but how much better does it actually make you feel? I took the first doses almost 30 hours ago and I’ll be damned if I can tell any difference. I’m wondering what the hell I’m doing wrong. Am I not taking enough? Am I expecting too much of an improvement? Next time I have a cold, should I just tell the doc to skip the over-the-counter stuff because I’m immune to it? ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097/26 "2019-01-20T22:34:03Z")
I’ve found most of them to have negligible efficacy yet take them anyway out of desperation. As I’m doing right now. Focus on ingredients, not brands. Pay attention to Tylenol/acetaminophen/paracetamol content and don’t take too much or with alcohol. I think DXM tastes horrible. There’s a Robitussin version that has it PEGylated or in see other polymer binder so it’s time-release and much less nasty. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097/27 "2019-01-20T22:46:00Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I was hoping the meds would get me to the point where I could do some normal human activities, like eating. Unfortunately, lots of sleep is still the most important treatment. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097/28 "2019-01-20T22:54:25Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Note that phenylephrine has been seriously [questioned](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19230461) as an effective decongestant, esp. when taken orally. > > OTOH, it is a treatment for [priapism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenylephrine#Priapism). So, that’s good, right? > > Phenylpropanolamine is a good decongestant for me. But I’m conserving my stash. I was going to post along the same lines. I’m convinced we only have phenylphrine to undercut pseudoephedrine. The powers that be would rather have that one go away, but that shit works. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097/29 "2019-01-20T23:00:48Z")
> [@Ruken](#): > > I’ve found most of them to have negligible efficacy yet take them anyway out of desperation. As I’m doing right now. Right now, negligible would be a step in the right direction. I’m about to crawl into bed; I’d like some reason to think I’ll be just a tiny bit better when I crawl back out again. > [@Acsenray](#): > > Unfortunately, lots of sleep is still the most important treatment. I’m trying. I lie down until I have to get up and move around, and I get up and move around until I have to lie down. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097/30 "2019-01-21T02:27:16Z")
You have my sympathy. I have been struggling with a nagging cough since New Years and nothing works. It seems that whenever I get one of these long lasting colds every OTC thing I try seems to cancel out the other OTC stuff I try, and make things worse. My wife has been making this absolutely vile substance for me to drink whenever coughing sets in. The stuff is disgusting, and I have to pinch my nose as I take it, and then only allow the scent to hit me after I have regained my composure from the taste–things were a bit touch and go the first time around, but I’m getting better at it. She won’t let me watch when she prepares it, though I’m certain it has garlic, onions, and plenty of ginger among other things. It seems to help, so I keep taking it. I’m coming out the other side now, thankfully. ETA: I forgot to mention that I also struggle with whether or not to exercise while fighting this cold. I kept my daily runs going as much as possible, but felt really tired. The other day I skipped a run and maybe that helped. I never know what helps and what hurts. Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097/31 "2019-01-21T02:43:25Z")
Contac works for me. I looked it up and it’s a combination of Acetaminophen 500mg, Chlorpheniramine maleate 2mg, and Phenylephrine hydrochloride 5mg. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097/32 "2019-01-21T03:14:44Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > ETA: I forgot to mention that I also struggle with whether or not to exercise while fighting this cold. I kept my daily runs going as much as possible, but felt really tired. The other day I skipped a run and maybe that helped. I never know what helps and what hurts. Ugh. I’ll work out(lightly) only if I feel up to it. Feeling real tired is a sure sign to skip that day. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097/33 "2019-01-21T03:19:26Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > ETA: I forgot to mention that I also struggle with whether or not to exercise while fighting this cold. I kept my daily runs going as much as possible, but felt really tired. The other day I skipped a run and maybe that helped. I never know what helps and what hurts. Ugh. If it hurts, stop. If your body is telling you to lie down and not move, lie down and don’t move. ---
**Author:** ![PoppaSan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/poppasan/32/189_2.png) [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097/34 "2019-01-21T04:04:08Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > For those who are saying what particular meds you take, that’s not really what I was trying to get at. I’m just curious if anything actually works, and how well. Suppose you’re bedridden without the medicine, coughing and dripping out of multiple orifices; how much better do you feel with it? Do you go to work, go to the grocery store for some soup, heat up some canned soup in your kitchen, or are you still in bed but just a little less miserable? If your condition without the medicine is a 10, what is it after? I’ll be damned if I can find anything that gets me below a 9. I learned having young children and a stay at home wife dependent on me to bring home the bacon in a paycheck to paycheck lifestyle a great remedy for just about any malady. I could not afford a having a cold rated 7 to put me down let alone deal with a 9 or 10. Any hot liquid or soup based meal helps. Put on layers of clothes and crawl beneath quilts on the bed and I can sweat out almost any bug overnight. It at least keeps them manageable. For sinuses, I skip the tissues and go right to napkins or paper toweling. Sucking on peppermint for about 5 minutes helps when it is time to blow. For me the generic Nyquil/Dayquil works enough to get me up and about. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097/35 "2019-01-21T05:20:59Z")
Flonase does nothing for me. I use Afrin nose spray (or generic version), dextromathorphan cough lozenges if needed, and Ibuprofen. If the cough is really bad, some Tylenol #3 (with codeine). ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097/36 "2019-01-21T05:22:41Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Note that phenylephrine has been seriously [questioned](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19230461) as an effective decongestant, esp. when taken orally. > > OTOH, it is a treatment for [priapism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenylephrine#Priapism). So, that’s good, right? > > Phenylpropanolamine is a good decongestant for me. But I’m conserving my stash. Phenylephrine is OK as a nasal spray, but little better than placebo when taken orally. Go through the hassle of getting the good stuff (i.e. pseudoephedrine) because it works. ---
**Author:** ![HelenGawn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@HelenGawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelenGawn)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097/37 "2019-01-21T06:07:06Z")
I can’t take most cold meds more than a day or two because depression sets in. For the first couple of days, with a decongestant and ibuprofen I can get through a shift at work without my co-workers glaring at my grouchy self-pity, but I crash as soon as I get home and sleep most of the night. If I can’t breathe well enough to sleep, I move to the couch with a couple of throw pillows propping up head and shoulders. After that I function well but still sleep a lot. About the time I get close to normal, my voice gets really husky, which gets me all the sympathy I needed the week before. Basically all that works is whatever relieves symptoms well enough to sleep it off. Your doctor won’t be able to do much. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097/38 "2019-01-21T06:26:08Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > For those who are saying what particular meds you take, that’s not really what I was trying to get at. I’m just curious if anything actually works, and how well. Suppose you’re bedridden without the medicine, coughing and dripping out of multiple orifices; how much better do you feel with it? Do you go to work, go to the grocery store for some soup, heat up some canned soup in your kitchen, or are you still in bed but just a little less miserable? If your condition without the medicine is a 10, what is it after? I’ll be damned if I can find anything that gets me below a 9. You’re too late for anything to have a big effect. As I said, you have to take zinc lozenges **before** the symptoms get severe, or they don’t work nearly as well. Using your scale, zinc put me at about 1-1.5. I could tell that I had a cold, and I felt a little tired some of the time, but that was about it. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097/39 "2019-01-21T06:39:42Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Alka-seltzer cold and flu. This. Full stop. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097/40 "2019-01-21T10:18:19Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > For a wet cough where there’s crud rattling around your lungs, get “expectorant” such as Mucinex. It’s surprisingly expensive compared to other OTC but it works. That’s because it’s a brand name, you’re paying for the name. The generic is guaifenesin. It’s significantly cheaper. Look for it. > [@](#): > > If you can find someone who will make chicken broth from scratch, as in starting with raw chicken on the bone, that helps too. 😉 Personally, I also find hot-and-sour-soup works well, too. At least for me. Because chicken soup can get boring. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-over-the-counter-cold-medicines-work-for-anybody/828097.md?page=3)