The Cold and Flu Medications That Pharmacists Trust Most

When you need an over-the-counter cold or flu medication, which brands should you turn to? America’s pharmacists have some ideas.

Recently, 400 pharmacists participated in the third annual BrandSpark/Newsweek Most Trusted by Pharmacists Awards, offering their opinions of the most trusted brands in over-the-counter categories.

Following are their suggestions for cold and flu medications.

First, though, a word of caution: Always talk to your doctor before trying a new medication. Over-the-counter medications are not without side effects, and they may also interact with prescription medications.

Cold shorteners

The most-trusted brands in this category are:

1. Zicam
2. Cold-EEZE

Zicam sells a variety of cold-shortening products, including dissolving tablets, lozenges and sprays. They are made with zinc and intended to be taken at the first sign of a cold.

Cough, cold and flu multisymptom relief

The most-trusted brands in this category are:

1. Vicks DayQuil/NyQuil
2. Mucinex, Robitussin and Tylenol (three-way tie)

Vicks DayQuil and NyQuil both treat headache, fever, sore throat and minor aches and pains. DayQuil also treats nasal congestion, while NyQuil treats sneezing and runny nose.

Cough, cold and flu multisymptom relief for hypertension

The most-trusted brand in this category is:

1. Coricidin HBP

People with high blood pressure should avoid certain ingredients in cold and flu medications, including decongestants, and stick to drugs made specifically for those with hypertension, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Coricidin HBP is free of decongestants.

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Homeopathic cold and flu treatments

The most-trusted brands in this category are:

1. Boiron
2. Hyland’s Naturals, Sambucol and Zicam (three-way tie)

Homeopathy is an alternative medical practice that first emerged in the late 18th century. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, homeopathy is based on two principles:

• “that a substance that causes symptoms in a healthy person can be used in diluted form to treat symptoms and illnesses, a principle known as ‘like-cures-like’; and
• the more diluted the substance, the more potent it is, which is known as the ‘law of infinitesimals.'”

Boiron offers homeopathic medications with “multi-symptom and targeted solutions for the whole family.”

Liquid cough suppressants

The most-trusted brands in this category are:

1. Delsym
2. Robitussin

Delsym offers cough medicines that are formulated to provide relief for 12 hours, or up to 24 hours if taken twice daily. The medicine does not contain alcohol or sulfites.