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Managing and Treating Cold and Flu With Over-the-Counter Medicines

There are many over-the-counter remedies for cold and flu that can help you manage the symptoms and make you feel better. Over the counter (OTC) medicine does not require a prescription, so you do not need to visit the doctor first. Below is a list of the best OTC medicines for cold and flu.  Dimetane (Brompheniramine) There is a certain chemical that is responsible for a runny or filled-up nose when you have flu. Dimetane is a brompheniramine medicine that has antihistamine, which can block the chemical to improve your conditions. Some other effective antihistamine medicines are Cetirizine (Zyrtec), Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), Clemastine (Tavist), Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), Fexofenadine (Allegra), and Loratadine Claritin). Some Antihistamines work best when taken with Decongestants.  Afrin (Oxymetazoline) Afrin, generically called oxymetazoline, is decongestant medicine that helps relieve a stuffed nose. Congestion is a result of inflamed blood vessels in the nose. The medicine successfully shrinks the inflamed blood vessels. The Decongestants are available as either nasal sprays or pills. Some other commonly found Decongestants are phenylephrine nasal (Neo-Synephrine), phenylephrine oral (Sudafed PE), and pseudoephedrine (Sudafed). The medicines often make you edgy, so it is advised to not use them before bed.  Mucinex (Guaifenesin) Mucinex is one of the over the counter remedies for cold and flu that can help you with your cough.