Most people don’t need prescription medicine to treat the common cold or influenza.
Severe upper respiratory tract symptoms, though, may benefit from prescription drugs.
Antiviral medications can help to shorten the duration and reduce symptoms of the flu and COVID-19, for example.
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Antibiotics may be needed to treat a bacterial infection.
Other prescription cold medicines include antihistamines, cough medicines, and nasal sprays.
This article discusses prescription cold medicine and other treatments for upper respiratory tract infections.
However, sometimes what you think is a cold can be a bacterial infection.
A respiratory virus can set the stage for a secondary bacterial infection.
Bacterial infections require treatment with antibiotics.
Antihistamines are also used to treat cold symptoms.
Antihistamines are widely available over the counter and included in combination cold medicine.
Sometimes, your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine to relieve cold and flu symptoms.
Prescription antihistamines include:
These are all first-generation antihistamines, which commonly cause drowsiness.
These second-generation antihistamines are available without a prescription.
Do Antihistamines Relieve Cold and Flu Symptoms?
Most cold and flu medicines contain antihistamines.
However, there isn’t a lot of evidence to support their use.
A 2015 study found antihistamines may ease cold symptoms on the first or second day.
After that, though, antihistamines do not appear to offer any benefits for cold and flu symptoms.
Antivirals
Antivirals are medications that specifically target viruses in an effort to prevent them from reproducing.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe antiviral medications if you have influenza or COVID-19.
Antivirals can help shorten the duration of a viral illness, reduce symptoms, and prevent complications.
They are most effective when taken within 48 hours of symptom onset.
This includes people who are older, immunocompromised, obese, or have other comorbidities.
Cough Medicines
Coughing is a common (and often annoying) symptom of respiratory infections.
It is your body’s natural way of clearing your airways and preventing pneumonia.
Codeine and hydrocodone treat severe coughs by preventing the brain from triggering the cough reflex.
They are often used in combination with antihistamines and decongestants.
They are not approved for use in children and should not be used during breastfeeding.
Misuse of narcotic cough suppressants can lead to addiction, overdose, or death.
Decongestants
Decongestants work to ease cold and flu symptoms by causing blood vessels to constrict.
This helps dry up a runny nose and relieve a stuffed-up nose.
There are currently no prescription decongestants on the market in the United States.
Pseudoephedrine-containing products are sold “behind the counter” because they can be used to make methamphetamine drugs.
As a result, many cold medicines contain phenylephrine instead.
Decongestants should not be given to children under 6.
For children ages 6 to 12, check with their healthcare provider first.
Medications in nasal sprays include corticosteroids, antihistamines, and decongestants.
OTC nasal sprays can often help treat congestion and a runny nose from a viral respiratory infection.
These often need to be started within the first two days of symptoms.
You may need a prescription to help you feel better.
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