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Bottom Line
Treatment with analgesic and decongestant combination (e.g. ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine). Only 1 valid clinical trial conducted, with 65 children. Improves general feeling and Reduces fever, pain, and blockage of the nose. Side effects seem minor, including dizziness that is relatively frequent.
EVIDENCE | POORLY TESTED
EFFECTIVENESS | EFFECTIVE for fever, general discomfort, pains and stuffy nose
SAFETY | MILD RISKS
Use this treatment:
It reliefs discomfort caused by a cold (fever, pain and stuffy nose). Do not expect it to reduce cough, sneezing and runny nose or to speed up recovery. Side effects seem minor, when not exceeding the recommended dosage.
You should prefer combinations with Paracetamol, since they are safer than combinations with NSAIDs (e.g. Advil) . Using NSAIDs may severely damage the kidney, especially to children with hidden kidney disease.
For example: a combination of Ibuprofen and Pseudoephedrine
Target Population:
Children with cold, 2 to 16 years old
Dosage:
Varies according to combination, age and weight. Stick to the directions on the package or as prescribed by your doctor. Usually not allowed and may be very dangerous for younger children.
Goal:
Treatment of Common Cold symptoms
Poorly tested
Children Tested
Benefits:
Improves general feeling. Reduces fever, pain and blockage of the nose. Does not seem to reduce sneezing, cough and runny nose.
Mild risks
Risks:
Minor reported side effects include dizziness and other side effects that vary according to combination (for example - drowsiness, upset stomach, sleep problems, excitement and dry mouth). Decongestants may increase blood pressure.
Medical problem:
Common Cold (symptoms caused by viral infection of the upper respiratory system).
Symptoms and signs:
Cough, general discomfort, headache, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, stuffy nose and weakness.
Complications:
Bacterial infections: lung infection, middle ear infection, strep throat, sinus infection.
Analgesic and decongestant combination (OTC)
Additional Information
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Analgesic and decongestant combination
An analgesic or painkiller is any member of the group of drugs used to achieve analgesia, relief from pain. Analgesic drugs act in various ways on the peripheral and central nervous systems. Analgesics include paracetamol (known in North America as acetaminophen or simply APAP), the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as the salicylates, and opioid drugs such as morphine and oxycodone. A decongestants, or nasal decongestant, is a type of pharmaceutical drug that is used to relieve nasal congestion in the upper respiratory tract. The active ingredient in most decongestants is either pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. (source)
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