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Many people who experience a cold use over-the-counter medications to treat their symptoms. These medications include:

• Decongestants. People with a stuffy nose may find relief from using an oral decongestant, which provides relief by narrowing the blood vessels in the lining of the nose. Nasal spray decongestants also can be used. However, this form of medication can only be used for a limited amount of time – typically no more than three days – before it can cause “rebound” congestion, a condition resulting from dependence on the medication (and which causes the nasal passages to swell). In addition, some people may experience an increase in blood pressure after taking a decongestant.
  
  
• Pain relief medications. These can help reduce some of the symptoms associated with the common cold, include aches, pain and fever.
  
  
• Cough suppressants. Generally, experts maintain that cough suppressants are not necessary and should not be used. Not only are these medications largely ineffective, but the intent of suppressing a cough can actually prevent the body from clearing harmful mucus from the airway. Parents are advised not to give cough medication to children under age 14. Warm lemon water and honey is usually viewed as a better alternative (except for infants who should not be given honey).
  
  
• Expectorants. Some cold medications contain expectorants which help to thin mucus. Thin mucus can be coughed up more easily, and helps to relieve symptoms in some patients.
  
  
• Antihistamines. Severe symptoms of a runny nose and watery eyes may be treated with antihistamines. This drug counteracts the effect of histamine, a substance released by the body when people are exposed to substances to which they are allergic. Although antihistamines are intended to reduce the effects of an allergic reaction, some experts maintain that they are effective in drying up mucus in the nose produced by a cold and preventing watery eyes. Other experts say these drugs are likely to make a cold’s symptoms worse.

People are urged to use cold medications such as antihistamines, decongestants and expectorants carefully and only after consulting a physician. While these medications sometimes are effective in relieving a runny or stuffy nose, they will not cure a cold or shorten its duration. These medications may also cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, upset stomach and insomnia.

In addition, these drugs may cause negative reactions in some situations, such as when combined with alcohol or various other medications. Medications such as decongestants can cause problems such as chronic inflammation of the mucous membranes when used incorrectly.

Young children may be especially vulnerable to such side effects and negative reactions. In addition, some medications should never be used by children. For example, aspirin use in children is associated with an increased risk of Reye syndrome, a potentially fatal illness that causes brain and liver damage.  Furthermore, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved the use of any cold or cough medications in children under the age of 2. These medications do not appear to be any more effective than placebo in children this young, and can be dangerous or fatal in some cases.

In addition, certain medical conditions may preclude the use of these drugs. For example, people with thyroid disease, high blood pressure and other conditions should not take decongestants.

Antibiotics are not useful in the treatment of the common cold. Colds are caused by viruses, not bacteria, and antibiotics are only effective against bacteria. Furthermore, inappropriate use of antibiotics may lead to an increase in drug-resistant strains of bacteria, making many conditions much more difficult to treat.