Cold viruses are currently spreading rapidly and cause coughs, runny noses and headaches. A pharmacist explains what helps and what can even harm.
As soon as a scratchy throat or a runny nose appears, many people turn to over-the-counter cold remedies – from lozenges and nasal sprays to painkillers and combination preparations. But what do these products really do? Can they shorten the duration of a cold? The pharmacist Dr. answers these questions. Hannes Müller in an interview with t-online – and reveals an insider tip.
Hannes Müller: Nasal sprays are generally in very high demand. You can take this if you have trouble breathing when you have a cold. They help you to breathe better. Otherwise, many patients ask for painkillers for headaches and expectorants for coughs or for blocked sinuses.
If you have a cough, I always recommend herbal preparations. these generally work better than chemical medications. The guidelines for the treatment of colds also provide for this.
Dr. Hannes Müller runs a pharmacy in North Rhine-Westphalia and is a member of the executive board of the Federal Chamber
which active ingredients do you specifically recommend?
these are, such as, preparations with thyme, ivy or eucalyptus. The good thing about these products: they have a double effect. Not only can they loosen mucus, but they can also relieve the urge to cough. Many sick people have the problem that although the mucus liquefies, the cough does not get any less. This is often possible with herbal expectorants.
Herbal expectorants can also be very helpful for a cold. It is indeed frequently enough accompanied by a sinus infection. The remedies clear yoru nose and head again and the pain disappears.
Can this also shorten the duration of symptoms?
Rather not.There is study data suggesting that some medications may provide a small time advantage. Basically, the biggest effect is symptom relief.
What advice do you give if someone has a high temperature or fever?
Common painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen help with all types of pain and also with fever. However, when you have a cold, the fever is usually less severe than the real flu.
Do you also have an insider tip for colds?
Honey is really good for coughs. Simply take a spoonful of honey - for example before going to bed.
Are there any cold medicines that you wouldn’t take yourself and why?
I don’t think much of chemical combination preparations as they frequently enough don’t have a sensible composition.
So is it better to treat the symptoms individually?
Definately. I recommend treating the symptoms specifically with individual preparations. It doesn’t make sense to take a combination medication with four different active ingredients if I only have a cough.As it also contains, for example, something for headaches or a cold remedy or additives such as caffeine. But I don’t necessarily need all of that and ultimately it just puts a strain on the body. In addition, combination preparations can cause undesirable interactions due to the many substances. Most patients are not even aware of this.
Combination preparations are intended to help against various cold symptoms at the same time. Examples of this are Grippostad C, Aspirin Complex, Wick DayMed or Dolormin compact.
What are these, such as?
Combination medications frequently enough contain active ingredients that increase blood pressure or sedate – i.e. make you tired. This can be a risk, especially for
If you are in good health, you can of course take them for a few days. But most of the time,chemical agents are not necessary for flu-like infections. And they are often more expensive than the individual substances. It is indeed best for those affected to seek advice from the pharmacy.
that’s only partly true – as antibiotics are prescribed less frequently than they were ten years ago.But yes, I always notice that doctors occasionally prescribe antibiotics for colds. This can have several reasons. One of them is certainly that many patients who go to the doctor expect to be prescribed a medication. Ultimately, you have to pay for the over-the-counter medications yourself and are not covered by health insurance. In certain specific cases it also makes sense to take antibiotics. For example, in the case of purulent inflammation. Pus is always a sign of bacterial colonization - and a reason to go to the doctor.
What are the risks of using multi-ingredient cold medications?
For colds. These products often contain multiple active ingredients that can interact with each other and lead to unwanted side effects. Additionally, thay may not effectively target the specific symptoms one is experiencing. Rather, I prefer to recommend single-ingredient medications that directly address the symptoms, which can be tailored more clearly to the individual’s needs.”
Dr. Hannes Müller emphasizes the importance of being cautious with medications and encourages individuals to consider simpler, more natural remedies when dealing with a cold. He believes that understanding the specific symptoms can lead to better treatment decisions.
while over-the-counter cold remedies can provide symptom relief, it’s crucial to choose the right products and be mindful of their potential side effects. Herbal preparations, honey, and tailored approaches from pharmacy professionals can often be more effective and safer alternatives.