Medicines and Products for Common Cold

Cold medicines treat symptoms, never the virus - nothing on any shelf shortens the cold meaningfully. Used wisely they buy comfort; used carelessly (especially antibiotics) they cause real harm. The honest tour.

What does NOT work

• Antibiotics: useless against cold viruses, every single time. They do not prevent "the cold going to the chest", they do not speed recovery, and their casual use is driving India's antibiotic-resistance crisis. Never demand them; question them if offered for an uncomplicated cold
• Multi-ingredient cold syrups in children under 6: not recommended - ingredients overlap, doses go wrong, benefits are unproven

Symptom relievers that genuinely help (adults)

• Paracetamol: for fever, headache and body ache - safe, cheap, effective at proper doses
• Decongestant sprays (xylometazoline/oxymetazoline): excellent for a blocked nose - but strictly 3-5 days maximum; longer use causes rebound blockage (rhinitis medicamentosa) that is worse than the cold
• Oral decongestants (pseudoephedrine/phenylephrine combinations): modest benefit; avoid with high blood pressure, heart disease, glaucoma, prostate trouble, pregnancy
• Antihistamines (older, sedating ones like cetirizine at night): help the runny nose and sneezing somewhat; the drowsiness aids sleep
• Throat lozenges and warm salt gargles: simple, safe, soothing

For children

Paracetamol or ibuprofen by weight for fever and discomfort; saline drops for the nose; honey over age 1 for cough; NO combination cold syrups under 6, no aspirin ever under 16 (Reye's syndrome risk).

The evidence footnotes

• Zinc lozenges started within 24 hours of onset: may shorten a cold by about a day - modest, real, optional
• Vitamin C: does not treat a cold; regular daily intake may slightly shorten duration in some people
• Steam, saline, rest and fluids: not "medicines", but as effective as half the shelf

One-line summary

Paracetamol for ache and fever, decongestant spray for up to 5 days, saline and honey for children - these comfort a cold; antibiotics never treat it and multi-ingredient syrups have no place in small children.