Thread by @CecProff

In case you, like me, are a fully-formed adult who just realized she has no idea what to keep in her medicine cabinet in case of a cold, here is an article that lays out the basics pretty nicely reviews.com/cold-medicine/

Here is a google doc I made with the relevant details because of who I am as a person: docs.google.com/document/d/1UB…

& here is the tl;dr
- brand name medicines are a scam
- multi-symptom medicines are usually less effective & have side effects you don’t need
- ibuprofen treats inflammation; use it for a sore throat, aches, fever. Alternate with acetaminophen (tylenol) so you don’t overdo it.

- pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) for congestion. Don’t take it for more than 3 days or it’ll backfire. Sudafed PE is phenylephrine, which is less effective, so check.
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for runny nose/sneezing. Will also make you sleepy (sleep is good for a cold.)

(If you need to not be drowsy, try Fexofenadine/Allegra 12hr)
- dextromethorphan for a cough (works by decreasing the brain activity that causes coughing; shows up as “DM” in the drug name.) Combine it with guaifenesin (Musinex,) which helps break up mucus so you can cough it out

- water is the best thing for a cold (I am your mom now.) Water is an expectorant which is what musinex is, & all of these medicines work better with water.
- I am not a dr, I am a barely functioning human who is trying my best. Trust your own dr ahead of me.

- all of these are available at Target. Sudafed is behind the counter & you’ll need to show ID bc you can use it to make meth.
- medicines like NyQuil or Theraflu are just combinations of these 5 things. Just get the one that treats the symptom you’re experiencing
- I am not a dr