What's actually in your cold medicine?

Getting relief is your first priority when you have a cold, but it's important to know what is actually in your cold medication before you pop a pill.

Whenever the common cold strikes, it can be difficult to decide between the myriad over-the-counter medications that can treat the symptoms of a cold. Since not all cold medicines are the same, look for which active ingredients a particular product contains rather than just looking at the brand name.

There are several drugs designed to reduce fever and treat the aches and pains that come with a cold.

• The majority of cold medications use acetaminophen because it's relatively gentle and doesn't interact with most other drugs.
• A few medications use a stronger fever reducer called naproxen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory.
• Naproxen is not appropriate for those with heart problems or hypertension.

There are two main drugs included in cold medications that treat nasal congestion.

• Phenylephrine hydrochloride is the ingredient found in nasal sprays and dissolving tablets. Its purpose is to relax the constriction of blood vessels that causes the sensation of a stuffy nose.
• A different drug, called pseudoephedrine, appears in many pills and syrups. This ingredient has a similar effect to phenylephrine hydrochloride.
• Both drugs should be avoided by those who take stimulants or are on MAO inhibitor medications, including those prescribed for ADHD or depression.

Those looking for help with a cough should be very careful to distinguish between drugs that stop coughing and those that encourage it.

• Drugs like dextromethorphan hydrobromide are cough suppressants, which means that they reduce coughing.
• Drugs like guaifenesin are expectorants, which encourage the body to produce more mucus while thinning it out to allow for productive coughing.

A lot of cold medications also have antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine maleate and doxylamine succinate.

• Antihistamines are actually allergy medications meant to reduce sensitivity to things like dust and pollen.
• They are often included in cold medications because they make people drowsy.
• Rather than including more acute, dedicated sleep aids, cold medications use the gentle drowsiness of antihistamines to help cold sufferers get some rest.

The next time you feel a cold coming on, check the active ingredients and determine what's actually in your cold medicine prior to purchase.