Whether it’s Tylenol, Buckley, Benylin or even a house brand, many cold medicines are sold in pharmacies. But are they really effective? A pharmacist explains to us.
• Read also: There is no shortage of Advil or Tylenol for adults in pharmacies
• Read also: What you need to know about RSV, the other virus circulating in Quebec
To relieve, not to cure
Let’s start at the beginning: what exactly is a cold? It is “a viral virus that is relatively commonplace with symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, severe cough, but rarely fever,” says Pierre-Marc Gervais, Senior Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the Quebec Association of Owner Pharmacists.
Then, you should know that the products sold in pharmacies against cough and cold are not there to cure you, but to relieve and mask your symptoms.
“We will really relieve the symptoms. So, someone who has a fever, we will give him acetaminophen, like Tylenol, and he will feel better while his body fights the infection, ”explains the pharmacist.
Useful, but not necessary
Even if these drugs do not help in healing, there is nothing wrong with using them, says Pierre-Marc Gervais.
“Someone who has a lot of secretions in their lungs, has a bad cold and wants something to clear their nasal passages, it’s no problem [à prendre des médicaments contre le rhume]. Again, it’s a comfort treatment, but it’s absolutely not necessary.
But beware: the common cold is not the flu
However, a cold must be distinguished from the flu, which can be treated.
The flu, which is caused by the influenza virus, must indeed be taken seriously. It can lead to serious complications, especially for children under 2 years old, the elderly and those with weak immune systems.
There are antivirals that can reduce the duration and intensity of flu symptoms and even prevent death. These drugs are sold by prescription and therefore kept behind the counter of a doctor or pharmacist.
And Lipton soup: effective against colds?
“Have yourself a good bowl of Lipton soup and you’ll be fine,” someone close to you has probably told you who has already seen snow.
The secret of the effectiveness of this remedy, however, does not lie in the chicken, or even in the noodles…
“In general, hot liquids will help make the secretions more liquid. You won’t heal faster, but you will feel better,” says Pierre-Marc Gervais.
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