OTC medications limited in effect on colds
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
At least three or four times during the colder months, I get a runny nose, cough or some other cold symptom. Are over-the-counter cold remedies effective?
The American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Pharmacists Association recently published an article addressing this exact question. I will summarize their review and recommendations.
Over-the-counter medications are big business. Billions of dollars are spent each year on these products and their sales are steadily increasing. In some cases, OTC cold remedies can provide some relief of cold symptoms, but, as with all medications, there are possible unwanted side effects.
Of interest is that the FDA is considering a new classification of drugs called "behind the counter" or BTC. These would be medications that are available without a doctor's prescription, but would require consultation with a pharmacist. Some of the cold medications may fall into this new classification.
OTC medications, such as Tylenol or ibuprofen, are effective pain relievers. These medications also usually are safe when they are taken at the recommended doses and when used for only short periods of time.
The combination of an antihistamine and a decongestant has been shown to help relieve the symptoms of nasal congestion and sneezing in adults and adolescents. These medications should only be used for a few days. In children, these medications have not been shown to be effective and can have serious side-effects.
In general, cough suppressants have not been shown to be very effective. Of concern is an increasing incidence of dextromethorphan abuse by adolescents. Dextromethorphan is an ingredient in many of the cough suppressants.
Many OTC medications can interact with certain prescription drugs. If you are taking a prescription medication, always consult with your physician before taking an OTC medication. Studies have shown that many people do not closely follow the dosing instructions for OTC medications. This can have serious consequences.
Other treatments used to treat the common cold -- including echinacea, zinc and vitamin C -- have been shown to have little or no effect on the severity or duration of symptoms. There also is a risk when taking herbal products. They can interact with certain OTC and prescription medications.
Overall, the effectiveness of OTC medications for treating the symptoms of the common cold is limited at best. Always beware that these medications can have unwanted side-effects and can interact with prescription medications.
Write to Dr. Dennis Cardone at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Department of Family Medicine, 1 Robert Wood Johnson Place, New Brunswick, N.J. 08903. Or e-mail him at askthedoc@umdnj.edu. |
