It is cold and flu season and worse yet the H1N1 virus is out there making people even sicker. So what do you do when you go to the drug store for relief? ABC2 News works for you to help you find the right medicine for your symptoms.
Alexis Fabricant is no stranger to sore throats and stuffy noses, 'I definitely come down with a cold at least once a year, sometimes twice a year.' But when she goes to the drug store for over the counter relief it's enough to make her dizzy. That's because the shelves are stocked with everything from pills to syrups and sprays. Some have just one active ingredient, others have more than four, 'I end up usually picking too many or spending too much money or just spending 20 minutes in the aisles.'
Alexis isn't the only consumer confused at the drug store. Dr. Steve Pray, an expert on non-prescription products, says it's common for pharmacists to see confused shoppers during cold and flu season. But he says this year, it will be even worse, 'This year will be unique because of the regular flu but then the great scare about swine flu. People are going to be grabbing everything they can grab.'
Dr. Pray says many shoppers simply reach for a multi symptom pack but those three or four ingredients aren't always needed. Another prescription expert, Dr. Jan Engle says shoppers may actually be over medicating themselves, 'You may take a product that's multi-symptom for colds and then also take another product say for headaches, and both products contain acetaminophen as an example.'
Dr. Engle says patients also risk over medication by taking more than the recommended dose. Overdosing on cold and flu products can have serious side effects: increase drowsiness, high blood pressure, mental confusion and live damage. So it's important to read all the labels carefully and only buy a multi-symptom medication if you really have all the symptoms listed on the box.
The following is a list of recommended, single ingredient cold and flu medications:
Dr. Jan Engle and Dr. Steven Pray say there are five categories of symptoms that every shopper should be aware of this cold and flu season. Below is a list of recommended, single ingredient products that you can purchase to soothe these five symptoms. It is important to remember that these are just guidelines. What works for one patient may not work for another. Also, according to Dr. Engle, "All drugs can interact, whether they're a dietary supplement or a prescription medication or an over-the-counter medication, so it's important to check with your pharmacist." You should also speak to your physician, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition, such as high blood pressure.
Aches and Pains: For aches and pains, both Dr. Engle and Dr. Pray recommend Acetaminophen.
Runny Nose, Sneezing, Itchy, Watery Eyes: For this condition, Dr. Engle recommends a non-sedating anti-histamine such as Loratadine. Dr. Pray recommends Chlorpheniramine. According to Dr. Pray, Loratadine "carries a warning against use in liver or kidney disease. Chlorpheniramine is safe with those conditions, although it carries warnings against use in such things as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, enlarged prostate, or glaucoma. So it's a trade-off, whichever you choose."
Dry, Hacking Cough: Both Dr. Engle and Dr. Pray recommend Dextromethorphan.
Loose Cough (Mucus In The Lungs): Dr. Pray recommends Guiafenesin. Dr.
Engle recommends patients "drink plenty of fluids and make sure that they have humidified air," before purchasing this over-the-counter medication.
Nasal and Sinus Congestion: Dr. Pray recommends Phenylephrine, while
Dr. Engle recommends Pseudoephedrine, now found behind the drugstore counter.
Courtesy: NewsProNet
