Products
Among the best-known combined flu and cold remedies in many countries are NeoCitran, Pretuval, and Vicks Medinait. In addition, other products exist such as Fluimucil Flu Day & Night. In other countries, different products are commonly used, such as Grippostad in Germany or Theraflu in the United States.
Ingredients
Typical ingredients include:
- Sympathomimetics such as phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, or ephedrine.
- 1st-generation antihistamines such as pheniramine, doxylamine, or chlorphenamine
- Painkillers such as paracetamol
- Cough suppressants such as dextromethorphan
- Vitamins such as vitamin C
Effects
The remedies decongest the nasal mucosa, facilitate breathing, are anti-secretory, cough-irritant, sleep-inducing, antipyretic and analgesic. They act exclusively against the symptoms and have no influence on the natural course of the disease. Combined flu and cold medications should therefore not be administered as a preventive measure.
Indications
For short-term treatment of flu and cold symptoms.
Abuse
Antihistamine medications can be misused as depressant sedatives and sleep aids.
Dosage
According to the package insert. Some medicines are consumed as hot drinks.
Contraindications
Refer to the drug label for complete precautions.
Adverse effects
The most common possible adverse effects include fatigue, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and loss of appetite. Because the preparations can cause drowsiness, they should not be used when full attention is needed, such as when driving or operating heavy machinery.
Advantages and disadvantages
Combined flu and cold medicines are well-known brand-name products, which are easy to take and effective against all symptoms of the two diseases. They are usually popular with patients. The disadvantage is that the combination of different active ingredients also increases the risk of drug interactions and adverse effects. Some patients mistakenly assume that the remedies are also suitable for prevention, that they are harmless drinks, or that they are effective against the cause of the diseases. Due to the fixed combination, no individualized therapy is possible with the drugs. Children, the elderly, or patients with underlying diseases should not be treated with the drugs, or should be treated with caution.
