Antihistamine and analgesic combination (OTC)
Helpful
Common Cold treatment in Children with cold
EVIDENCE | NEEDS MORE TESTING - 3 studies with 1,508 children
EFFECTIVENESS | EFFECTIVE for fever, general discomfort, pains and sneezing
SAFETY | PROBABLY SAFE
Treatment with Antihistamine and Analgesic OTC combination. 3 valid studies conducted, with 1,508 participants. It reduces fever, pain and perhaps sneezing, and improves general feeling (but does not seem to reduce cough, runny nose, and stuffy nose) . Side effects seem minor, but the treatment is very dangerous when not sticking to permitted age and dosage.
Antihistamine and analgesic combination (OTC)
Helpful
Common Cold treatment in Adults with cold
EVIDENCE | NEEDS MORE TESTING - 3 studies with 1,508 adults
EFFECTIVENESS | EFFECTIVE for fever, general discomfort, pains and sneezing
SAFETY | PROBABLY SAFE
Treatment with Antihistamine and Analgesic OTC combination. 3 valid studies conducted, with 1,508 participants. Reduces fever, pain and perhaps sneezing, and improves general feeling (but does not seem to reduce cough, runny nose, and stuffy nose). Side effects seem minor, when sticking to recommended dosage.
Antihistamine and decongestant combination (OTC)
Insignificant
Common Cold treatment in Adults with cold
EVIDENCE | REASONABLY TESTED - 12 studies with 1,239 adults
EFFECTIVENESS | MILD BENEFITS for cough, general discomfort, runny nose, sneezing and stuffy nose
SAFETY | PROBABLY SAFE
Treatment with antihistamine and decongestant combination (e.g. triprolidine and pseudoephedrine). 12 valid studies conducted, with 1,239 individuals. Improves general feeling and may slightly reduce sneezing, cough, runny nose and stuffy nose . Side effects seem minor, and include dry mouth, insomnia and constipation.
NSAIDs (OTC)
Damaging
Common Cold treatment in Seniors with cold
EVIDENCE | REASONABLY TESTED - 9 studies with 1,069 seniors
EFFECTIVENESS | EFFECTIVE for fever, pains and sneezing
SAFETY | DANGEROUS
Treatment with NSAIDs (e.g. Aspirin, Ibuprofen). 9 valid studies conducted, with 1,069 individuals. Reduces fever, pain and sneezing (but does not seem to reduce cough and runny nose) . Side effects seem dangerous to seniors, including inner gastrointestinal bleeding and other serious bleeding events, and increased chances to peptic ulcers, kidney failure, heart attacks and strokes.