Active ingredient | Mechanism[1,2] | Potential benefits | Potential risks*[1-3] |
Antipyretics/analgesics: Acetaminophen | Reduction in temperature; little evidence regarding effects on discomfort[4] | Acetaminophen may suppress the neutralizing antibody response, resulting in increased nasal secretions and prolonged viral shedding | |
First generation antihistamines¶: Diphenhydramine | Anticholinergic effects decrease mucus secretionΔ | No clinically significant benefits[5] |
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Narcotic antitussives¶◊: Codeine | Act on cough center in brainstem | No more effective than placebo[5,6] |
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Nonnarcotic antitussives¶: Dextromethorphan | Act on cough center in brainstem | No evidence of effectiveness[5-8] |
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Oral decongestants¶: Pseudoephedrine | Vasoconstriction | No evidence of effectiveness in children <12 years [9,10] |
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Topical decongestants¶: Oxymetazoline | Vasoconstriction | No evidence of effectiveness in children <12 years[10] |
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Antihistamine-decongestant combination¶ | Anticholinergic effects (antihistamine) Vasoconstriction (decongestant) | No more effective than placebo[5,9,11] | See potential risks for antihistamines and decongestants above |
Expectorant¶: Guaifenesin | Increase mucus production to make secretions easier to remove with cough or mucociliary transport | No studies of effectiveness in children[1,2,5] |
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Mucolytics¶: Acetylcysteine | Thin secretions to make them easier to clear through coughing | Some evidence of improvement compared with placebo[5] |
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Topical aromatics: Menthol | May act on TRPM8 cation channel to produce a cooling sensation | Subjective improvement of nasal patency without objective increase in air flow[12] Parental report of symptomatic improvement in nocturnal cough and sleep in poorly blinded study§[13] | GI and CNS effects may result from accidental ingestion |
Ipratropium bromide״ (nasal) | Decreases nasal discharge via anticholinergic activity | May decrease nasal discharge but not nasal congestion[14] |
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