Cold, Flu, and Allergy Remedies -
No prescription needed for any of these remedies.
JS Campbell, MD. 5/2011
These recommendations are for otherwise healthy Adults or Teens.
For Runny Nose, postnasal drip, and throat tickle:
Any antihistamine will do. For severe throat tickle, use sore throat remedies (below).
Recommended antihistamines:
Loratadine 10 mg tablet (Claritin, Alavert), One per day.
Cetirazine 5 or 10 mg tablet (Zyrtec). One per day.
Stronger than loratadine, but may cause drowsiness.
Fexofenadine 180 mg tablet (Allegra 24Hr) One per day.
Or use 60-mg tabs every 12 hrs (Allegra 12Hr)
Chlorpheniramine 2 to 4 mg tablet (Chlor-Trimeton). One every 4-6 hrs.
May cause drowsiness.
Diphenhydramine 25-50 mg capsule (Benadryl) One every 4-6 hrs.
Also very good for nausea, see below.
May cause drowsiness (can be used occasionally as sleep aid).
For Plugged Nose, sinus, or ear blockage (Congestion):
Nose spray or inhalers work better than oral medications.
To use a nose spray best, look straight DOWN at the floor, then spray the medicine straight UP into the nose. If your nose is totally blocked, you may need to spray again in 10-15 minutes. Danger: Never try to unblock your sinus or ears by holding your nose and blowing! Do NOT use nose sprays for over 7 days or nose irritation may occur (causes continued blockage!).
Recommended Nose Spray:
Oxymetazoline 0.05% Spray (Afrin, Duration, etc) 2-3 sprays per nostril twice a day.
Recommended Nasal Inhalers:
Dose: 1 – 2 Inhalations each side every 2 Hrs.
Levmetamfetamine 50mg Inhaler (Vicks Vapo-Inhaler)
or
Propylhexedrine 250mg Inhaler (Benzedrex Inhaler)
Oral Medications for blockage:
- Caution – May cause high blood pressure or heart palpitations.
Pseudoephedrine 30 or 60 mg tablets (Sudafed). One every 4-6 hrs.
Maximum dose: 240 mg per 24 hrs.
This medicine is a stimulant and may cause insomnia or heart palpitations.
Do not take in evening or at bedtime.
Must sign for this medicine to prevent diversion and mis-use.
For Sore Throat: – One lozenge numbs the throat for 2-3 hrs at a time.
Dyclonine 1 to 3mg Lozenges (Sucrets, etc.)
or
Benzocaine 2 to 15mg Lozenges (Chloraseptic, etc).
For Cough:
Hot tea with honey, lemon, and brandy is an old cough remedy. Keep it in a thermos bottle by the bed
for nighttime cough relief.
Dextromethorphan Hydrochloride or Hydrobromide – 10 to 20 mg every 4 hrs. Available as liquid or in “cough drops” (Robitussin, many others).
To Loosen Mucus:
A warm drink works best to loosen mucus in the nose, throat, larynx and lungs. A cup of Chinese or herb tea with lemon and honey is a fine remedy. Add 1 to 2 TBSP of alcoholic spirits (whisky) for extra effectiveness against mucus in
the lungs. Breathe deeply as the remedy takes effect and try to snort, cough, sneeze or even yawn to help clear any mucus plugs from the air passages.
I do not recommend Mucinex® (guiafenesin). It causes nausea which then produces mucus by reflex.
For Aches and Pain:
Heat is an effective remedy for aches and pain. A hot bath of shower is good for whole-body aches.
Also use heat packs
for relief. Microwave grain packs are very convenient and safe, as are hot water bottles.
Use caution with electric heating pads, as they can cause burns even on low settings.
NEVER TAKE ASPIRIN for a cold or flu (Bayer, also in Goody’s and many other products).
Acetaminophen 325 mg tablets (Tylenol) 1-3 tabs ever 4-6 hrs
Maximum dose: 4000 mg (12 tabs) per 24 hrs.
Ibuprofen 200 mg tablets (Advil, Motrin, etc.). 1-2 tabs every 4-6 hrs as needed.
Maximum dose: 2400 mg (12 tabs) per 24 hrs.
Naproxen 220 mg tabs (Alleve, etc) 1-2 tabs every 8-12 hrs as needed.
Maximum dose: 2400 mg (6 tabs) per 24 hrs.
For Nausea and Vomiting:
If severe and prolonged, get medical help!
Take only clear liquids by mouth – no solid foods
until
the vomiting stops.
Even though you may vomit some of the fluid,
the rest will get absorbed and give you nourishment.
A formulated product for fluid replacement is the Pedialyte® Powder Pack. Mix one in 8 Ounces (240ml)
of water. Drink 4 to 8
per day, as needed.
Rinse your mouth well after vomiting to protect your teeth from stomach acid.
Best Medications for Nausea/Vomiting:
Diphenhydramine 25-50 (Benadryl, etc.) One dose every 4-6 hrs.
If you are actively vomiting, wait until the vomiting stops temporarily and your stomach relaxes. Then open one capsule and crush /mix the powder into 1 TBSP of water or soda*. Swallow it quickly and wash down with another TBSP of
liquid. This way it can get into your system before the vomiting returns.
*Or use Benadryl Orally Disintegrating Strips or Unisom SleepMelts (Disintegrating Tablet).
Inhaled Cannabis smoke is also a good anti-nausea medication, but may have undesired mental effects and may not be available legally in some jurisdictions.
For Diarrhea:
Wash your backside after each BM to prevent fluids from irritating the skin.
Drink plenty of fluids to replace any fluid loss from the bowels.
If you can eat solids, eat a slice of peeled apple followed by a
clove of raw garlic followed by another
slice or two of apple - a good remedy for viral diarrhea.
Medications:
Loperamide 2 mg capsules (Imodium) first dose: 2 caps, then 1 cap every 3-4 hrs.
Maximum dose, 16 mg (8 caps) per 24 hrs.
And/Or
Bismuth Subsalicylate (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol) 262 mg per tab or TBSP Liquid
Maximum dose, 4200 mg (16 - 262mg doses) per 24 hrs.
May make stools grey or black in color. This is OK.
Also,
Take a probiotic (live cultured benign bacteria) dose or eat yogurt, especially if the diarrhea
is an effect of taking any antibiotic.
Remember:
For colds and flu, take it easy when ill. Stay warm and rest/sleep. A hot bath can work wonders. Eat lightly and get plenty of liquids.
Avoid spreading the disease to others – stay home, don’t roam. Prevent droplet spread by covering your mouth to cough or sneeze. Don’t share dishes, glasses, towels, etc.
And get well soon!
