The Best OTC Medications


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Sudafed 12 Hour Or Sudafed 24 Hour

What it treats: Nasal and head congestion

Active ingredient: Pseudoephedrine





What it treats: Plows through your stuffy nose on contact

Active ingredient: Oxymetazoline

How it works: Oxymetazoline is another vasoconstrictor that diffuses swollen blood vessels, but the difference is in its delivery—this one is in a nasal spray. The draw? Since you spritz it directly into the plugged-up area, you'll feel relief before the first Gleek gets a slushie facial!

Good to know: Don't make Afrin your long-term plan—limit its use to no more than three days or you run the risk of a nasty rebound effect. The backlash? You'll end up with extreme congestion that requires more and more product to feel relief, says Engle, who has dealt with patients who became so addicted that they needed to keep the medicine within arm's reach while sleeping because they couldn't get through a night without it.

Potential hazards: It isn't processed in your blood stream, so Afrin has no major side effects to report when used as directed. Depending on the degree of nasal irritation, just be prepared for a slight (but brief) stinging sensation on impact.

Tylenol Regular Strength


Active ingredient: Acetaminophen




Robitussin Chest Congestion

What it treats: Thins and loosens phlegm in your chest and makes coughs more productive

Active ingredient: Guaifenesin

How it works: Expectorants help dislodge stubborn mucus to lighten up chest congestion. As a result, your cough will be more productive, says Kristen Binaso, R.Ph., a spokesperson for the American Pharmacist Association and a practicing pharmacist. Also, be sure to drink eight ounces of water with each dose. Water helps loosen the secretions that are weighing down your chest. For further relief, use a humidifier to round out this trifecta of treatment.

Good to know: Robitussin has a slew of brand extensions, so pay attention to the one you're picking up. Make sure it's an expectorant and not a suppressant, which will trap the excess mucus in your lungs and create a breeding ground for bacteria, says Binaso.

Potential hazards: Though uncommon, some users may experience nausea and vomiting. If symptoms are mild, try taking the medicine with some food. However, if you're feeling sick to your stomach, it's best to stop taking the expectorant.

Claritin Reditabs

What it treats: Stuffy and runny nose

Active ingredient: Loratadine

How it works: Although an antihistamine is typically an allergy treatment, Binaso recommends that cold and flu sufferers pop one if they are experiencing a runny nose or watery eyes. Loratadine will dry you up so you don't drip like a faucet. Plus, it's the only nondrowsy antihistamine approved by the FDA. A 2008 study published in Allergy and Asthma Proceedings found that loratadine caused virtually little to no drowsiness compared with the active ingredients in Zyrtec and Benedryl—perfect if you need to make it through your boss's never-ending slide presentation.

Good to know: RediTabs dissolve faster and are absorbed more quickly. While a normal tablet may take up to 60 minutes to kick in, the dissolving kind may shave up to 30 minutes off your wait time. Also, because it dissolves, it's a good option for folks who have a problem swallowing pills or don't have a glass of water around. Start with the 12-hour pack before upgrading to the 24-hour version. "The important thing is to take Claritin on a regular basis so that you prevent symptoms," says Engle.

Potential hazards: Although it's a nondrowsy formula, the antihistamine may still have a sleepy effect on some people, so take it for a test-drive before you decide to hit the road (i.e., operate heavy machinery!).


What it treats: Sweeps out congestion in your nasal and sinus passages as well as in your chest

Active ingredient: Guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine

How it works: Mucinex used to be available by prescription only, so you know this is some strong stuff. Pseudoephedrine does the heavy lifting to clear out your stuffy nose and sinus pressure by deactivating those swollen blood vessels. At the same time, the expectorant will thin any mucus camping out in your lungs and help you cough it up before it becomes a Woodstock-like breeding ground for bacteria, says Binaso.

Good to know: Same rules apply for all meds that contain pseudoephedrine. Guaifenesin generally has a wide margin of safety, but it may cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, skin rash, and itching. If you experience major episodes of these side effects, talk to a pharmacist or your doctor for alternatives.

Potential hazards: Monitor the side effects, especially if you have a skin rash or itching, says Binaso. If they become worse and you're suddenly short of breath, stop using the product immediately. You could be experiencing an allergic reaction to the ingredient.

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