Whether you’re sneezing your brains out or burning up with a fever, cold and flu symptoms are no fun.
The good news is, there is a wide range of treatments out there that will help provide relief for these symptoms and help you get rid of a cold fast.
Below we run through best cold and flu medicines to help you get over your illness, from xylometazoline for a blocked nose to menthols for a sore throat.
Three key takeaways
If you’ve got a blocked nose, look for sprays containing xylometazoline or oxymetazoline, or decongestant tablets containing phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine.
Sore throats can be treated with lozenges, pastilles, throat sprays, or rinses.
If you’ve got a blocked or runny nose, and it’s caused by cold or flu, not allergies, you could consider decongestion tablets or nasal spray.
Xylometazoline
Xylometazoline is a common ingredient that acts as a decongestant to reduce the blockage in the nose and can be found in medications like Sudafed Blocked Nasal Spray.
It works by thinning the blood vessels that have expanded as a result of your illness. However, you shouldn’t use products containing xylometazoline for longer than seven days to avoid rebound congestion.
Like xylometazoline, oxymetazoline is a decongestant that helps to relieve a blocked nose by reducing the blood vessels in the nose and reopening the nasal passage. It can be found in products like Vicks Sinex Micromist Aqueous Nasal Spray. Again, these products shouldn’t be used for longer than seven days.
Phenylephrine is also a decongestant but unlike xylometazoline or oxymetazoline, it’s often found in many cold and flu treatments alongside other active ingredients. For example, Lemsip Max Cold & Flu sachets contain paracetamol as well as phenylephrine.
Another decongestant, pseudoephedrine helps to relieve a blockage in the nose. However, it’s only suitable for short-term usage. It’s found in treatments like Sudafed Sinus Pressure & Pain Relief tablets (alongside ibuprofen), and Sinutab Congestion Relief (alongside paracetamol).
Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic and disinfectant that helps to kill bacteria in your throat and mouth. Not only can you get it as a spray, it’s also available as a mouthwash, if that suits your routine a bit better.
Benzydamine is an anti-inflammatory drug that has anaesthetic qualities, which is why it is found in products for a sore throat. You can get it as both a spray and a throat rinse.
Menthol, also known as levomenthol, is a compound that occurs naturally in different types of mints, such as peppermint.
Menthol is used in products to treat a sore throat, as well as headaches, because it provides a cooling sensation. It comes as lozenges, pastilles, and is one of the many ways you can use Vicks VapoRub.
For a headache, the best and most common form of treatment is painkillers. They work by blocking the nerves in the body that tell us that we are experiencing pain.
As it is commonly used to treat pain with little side effects, paracetamol is a treatment that you can trust to work.
Paracetamol comes in different forms: tablets, capsules and liquids. This means you can pick a treatment method that suits your preferences. It's also one of the few treatments you can take when you are pregnant.
Another painkiller, ibuprofen is almost as common as paracetamol. The main difference is that as well as treating pain and a fever, it is also anti-inflammatory
However, there are more potential side effects compared to paracetamol, including headaches, nausea, abdominal pain, and raised blood pressure.
Ibuprofen can also be found in gels for muscle pain and injuries.
Aspirin is a painkiller that is often found in tablets, capsules, powders, and gels.
Aside from helping with pain, fever and inflammation, doctors may prescribe aspirin long term, as its action on preventing blood clots can reduce your risk of a heart attack or ischemic stroke.
Codeine is a painkiller that’s mostly used to treat mild pain. For stronger effects, codeine is often combined with other painkillers to form a more effective form of treatment.
One such example is co-codamol, which combines codeine with paracetamol.
When it comes to taking codeine, it should only be used as a short-term treatment, as codeine is highly addictive.
Caffeine
Caffeine is included in cold treatments because of its stimulant properties. For instance, when combined with paracetamol, it improves the level of pain relief provided.
“A fever is when your body temperature rises above the normal range (around 37°C) as part of your immune system’s response to fight infection or inflammation. It’s usually a sign your body is working to protect you.
The various forms of paracetamol and ibuprofen can help tackle your fever. However, non-medical solutions, like staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest, are just as important.
Seek medical help if the fever is very high (above 39–40°C), lasts more than a couple of days, or you have other worrying symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or confusion.”
If you’ve got a cold or flu, the chances are that you’re dealing with more than one symptom.
Luckily, we've got a number of treatments designed to tackle your illness from multiple angles. For example, Night Nurse contains paracetamol for pain relief, promethazine for your runny nose, and dextromethorphan to help with your cough.
What is the difference between a cold and the flu?
While the common cold and flu share many symptoms, if you’ve got the flu, these symptoms will be much more severe. They may also come on more suddenly than if you have the flu.
How long does a cold last?
A standard cold normally takes one or two weeks to go away.
What drinks should I avoid with a sore throat?
If you’ve got a sore throat, you should avoid anything too acidic (like orange juice), anything that dehydrates (like alcohol and caffeine), and anything too fizzy (as it can further irritate your throat).
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