Cold and Flu Medications

There isn’t a ‘best’ medication however there are a range of prescription and over the counter medications cold and flu tablets that can be used to manage the symptoms.

Prescription medications like Tamiflu, Relenza, and Xofluza can help reduce the severity and duration of symptoms if taken within the first 48 hours of symptoms.

For cold sores, you can take oral prescription medicines like Zovirax, Valtrex and Famvir, or topical prescription creams like Denavir.

Over the counter medications such as decongestants, cough suppressants, cough thinners, antihistamines, painkillers and fever reducers can be used to manage the symptoms of flu or cold.

There are also over the counter cold sore medications, such as Compeed, a topical patch which can be applied over blisters to reduce itching or Blistex cream, which can provide temporary relief in some areas.

Prescription medications for the flu include Tamiflu, Relenza and Xofluza, which if taken within the first 48 hours of symptom onset can reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.

There are currently no prescription medications for treatment of the flu. However over-the counter medications like decongestants, painkillers and cough suppressants can be used to treat the symptoms of the common cold and of the flu.

Doctors may also prescribe antiviral medications for cold sores such as Zovirax, Valtrex or Famvir which can reduce the severity of cold sore outbreaks and duration the blisters last.

The stages are as follows:

Stage 1: The incubation stage, The body is exposed to the virus and infected, symptoms are not showing, but the virus multiplying and spreading.

Stage 2: Early onset stage, early mild symptoms start to appear as the body starts to respond to the infection.

Stage 3: Peak stage, symptoms become intense as the body starts to fight off the cold.

Stage 4: Decline stage, symptoms start improving as the immune system gets the upper hand on the virus.

Stage 5: Recovery stage, the cold is nearly gone, and symptoms have improved but some lingering symptoms remain.

There is no designated cold medication but there are potential ways to speed up recovery and reduce the duration and severity of symptoms. Some methods to speed up recovery include:

• Rest and sleep – Allow your body’s immune system to effectively fight the illness.
• Hydration – Adequate hydration helps clear the body of infection and makes the mucus thinner and easier to expel.
• Over the counter medications such as decongestants, antihistamines, pain relievers and cough suppressants to help manage and alleviate the symptoms. 
• Steam inhalation and humidifiers can help soothe an inflamed nose, relieve congestion and ease a dry throat.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking, smoking and alcohol can weaken the immune system and prolong recovery, smoking actively irritates the respiratory system and prolongs the cough.

Paracetamol is a good medication for cough and cold, it cannot treat a cold, but it can be used to treat the symptoms of a cold and aid recovery by making you more comfortable while you get better.

In case of a mild fever, paracetamol can help reduce fever and lower the body temperature and make you feel better and aid your recovery.

Paracetamol can also reduce muscle aches, headaches and some other pains that come with a cold. It can also be used to soothe a sore throat.

Calpol is a brand of medication that can be used to treat fever, headaches, muscle aches and body-aches in children, as opposed to paracetamol, which is used to treat adults.