The season of colds has already arrived, which means that it's time to replenish your first aid kit with effective remedies for flu and colds for adults and children.
And to make it easier for you to understand the variety of such drugs, we have compiled a list of the best symptomatic remedies for ARVI.
Read also: Inexpensive analogues of medicines for flu and colds (generics).
Important: Each of the drugs on this list has contraindications and side effects. Before taking it, be sure to consult a doctor.
Best antipyretic drugs for adults
3. Ibuklin
- Average price - 124 rubles
- Release form - film-coated tablets.
An inexpensive and effective remedy for colds and flu. The active ingredients in this product are a powerful pair - ibuprofen and paracetamol. These substances not only reduce fever, but also have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Ibuklin quickly copes with the most common symptoms that occur with a flu or colds:
- temperature,
- chills
- headache,
- pain in muscles and joints.
This remedy should not be taken together with other drugs containing paracetamol.
2. Nurofen
- Average price - 93 rubles
- Release form - film-coated tablets.
This inexpensive antipyretic agent enjoys a good reputation among doctors and patients for its effectiveness and affordable price.
The main active ingredient of Nurofen is ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substance. It copes with fever and pain, such as headache with a cold, and in addition has an anti-inflammatory effect.
1. Grippostad
- Average price - 140 rubles
- Release form - powder for preparation of oral solution.
In one of the best powders for colds and flu, we again meet an old friend of all those suffering from pain and fever - paracetamol. But not alone, but with an assistant - ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C.
By affecting the center of thermoregulation in the hypothalamus, paracetamol helps to lower the temperature and has an analgesic effect. And vitamin C is often recommended for colds, as it increases the body's resistance to infections. In addition, it increases the effects of paracetamol and improves its tolerance.
There are also Grippostad C capsules, in which, in addition to paracetamol and ascorbic acid, caffeine is also present. It has a tonic effect on the vessels of the brain, expands the bronchi and stimulates the heart.
The best combined flu and cold remedies for adults
3. Coldact Flu Plus
- Average price - 174 rubles
- Release form - capsules of prolonged action, suspension for oral administration.
Headache, lacrimation, tearing, and general fatigue are the symptoms that this inexpensive but effective remedy for the flu and colds can successfully deal with.
It contains three main components - chlorphenamine maleate, paracetamol and phenylephrine hydrochloride. The first is responsible for relieving allergic symptoms (red eyes, itching in the nose and eyes), the second reduces fever, relieves muscle and joint pain and headaches, and the third reduces swelling of the nasal mucosa and upper respiratory tract.
As a result, you will feel better for a while. The effect of the drug lasts for everyone in different ways, from 3 to 10 hours. However, there is also a frequent side effect - attention is scattered, so it is better not to drive after taking Coldact Flu Plus.
2. Theraflu
- Average price - 318 rubles
- Release form - powder for preparation of oral solution.
This medicine will not cure a cold or flu. But it will quickly provide the desired relief from the most annoying symptoms of these conditions.
In the first places in Teraflu are such substances as paracetamol (antipyretic, analgesic effect), pheniramine, which has an antiallergic effect, relieves lacrimation and itching in the eyes and nose, as well as phenylephrine, which will reduce swelling of the nasopharynx and allow breathing freely.
1. Fervex
- Average price - 311 rubles
- Release form - powder for preparation of oral solution.
Perhaps the best powder for flu and cold symptoms offers a slightly different combination of active ingredients than Teraflu. In the first place goes, of course, paracetamol, which is in most of these drugs. Fniramine is in second place, but ascorbic acid (vitamin C) closes the top three.
Their combination helps to quickly relieve fever and improve overall well-being. And ascorbic acid is consumed by the body faster during illness, so an additional portion of it will not harm.
The action of Fervex lasts from 4 hours or longer, and its effect is felt already 15-20 minutes after administration.
Best cough suppressants for adults
3. Mukaltin
- Average price - 15 rubles
- Release form - tablets 50 mg.
This inexpensive expectorant is suitable for those who have a cough with difficult sputum, and the lungs seem to be clogged with mucus.
The main active ingredient of Mukaltin is an extract of a plant called marshmallow. It enhances the secretion of the bronchial glands, while simultaneously stimulating the ciliated epithelium and the motility of the respiratory bronchioles.
The sour taste of the medicine is due to the presence of tartaric acid in its composition.
These tablets can be sucked, chewed, or even dissolved in warm water - as you prefer.
Mukaltin cannot be classified as a fast-acting remedy, its expectorant effect does not occur immediately, but after a day. But with its help, the cough becomes moist (productive, as doctors call it) and passes faster.
2. Linkas
- Average price - 180 rubles
- Release form - syrup.
Pleasant, albeit sugary taste, quick action, composition with a large amount of plant extracts (licorice, hyssop, violet, marshmallow, galangal, etc.) - that's what users like about this syrup.
It quickly helps to convert a dry cough into a wet one, and is suitable not only for adults, but also for children from 6 months, which speaks of the safety and gentle action of this remedy.
In addition to syrup, Linkas is also produced in the form of lozenges with different tastes, and is called Linkas Lor.
1. ACC
- Average price - 250 rubles
- Release form - effervescent tablets 200 mg.
This is perhaps the best remedy for thinning the viscous phlegm in the lungs, when a dry cough has already passed or is still tormenting, but a wet cough cannot begin.
The active substance of ACC is acetylcysteine, which reduces the viscosity of sputum, and also stimulates the protection of cells from the effects of free radical oxidation, which occurs during a strong inflammatory reaction.
ACC has a pleasant sweetish taste, and improvement usually occurs a day after the start of the intake. And after 2-3 days after the start of the intake, the cough disappears altogether.
Those who do not like effervescent tablets can purchase ACC in the form of syrup or granules for preparing an orange-flavored solution.
Best cold remedies for adults
3. Xylene nasal drops 0.1%
- Average price - 35 rubles
- Release form - nose drops.
The active ingredient in these effective nasal congestion drops is the same as in many more expensive drugs. Namely, xylometazoline hydrochloride.
Its action is aimed at narrowing the vessels of the nose, as a result of which hyperemia (excessive filling of blood vessels with blood) and edema of the mucous membrane pass. And for a while (up to 6 hours) nasal breathing improves.
However, like other vasoconstrictor drugs, Xilen cannot be used for a long time (no more than 5 days).
2. Afrin, nasal spray 0.05%
- Average price - 115 rubles
- Release form - nose drops.
Another vasoconstrictor drops from the common cold, however, they contain not xylometazoline, but oxymetazoline. It reduces swelling in the mucous membranes of the nose, sinuses and Eustachian tube and improves nasal breathing.
Afrin drops have a convenient dispenser, there is no discomfort when using, and the effect lasts up to 12 hours.
1. Pinosol nasal drops, 10 ml
- Average price - 206 rubles
- Release form - nose drops.
A real find for those looking for a remedy for the common cold with natural ingredients. Pinosol contains mint, pine, eucalyptus oils, as well as thymol and guayazulen.
This combination has not only anti-inflammatory, but also antimicrobial effect, reduces mucus production and increases the patency of the nasal passages.
Pinosol has a minimum of contraindications, including age up to 2 years, allergic rhinitis and individual sensitivity to any of the substances in the drug.
The drops have a pleasant mint smell, oily texture, and are distinguished by a long-lasting effect (up to 6 hours). They can be used without interruption for up to 7 days.
Best Cold and Flu Remedies for Kids
3. Nurofen for children
- Average price - 130 rubles
- Release form - suspension for oral administration.
- The allowed age is from 3 months to 12 years.
The main active ingredient of this effective antipyretic agent for children is ibuprofen at a dosage of 100 mg. It quickly relieves fever and pain during colds and even after vaccination reactions, which are accompanied by an increase in temperature.
The product has a pleasant taste, so even a capricious child who cannot tolerate "bitter" medicines will drink Nurofen without complaints. It begins to act after 15-20 minutes, and the maximum concentration in blood plasma reaches an hour after ingestion.
2. Gedelix cough syrup
- Average price - 377 rubles
- Release form - syrup.
- Permissible age - from 1 month.
This is one of the best and safest cough medicines for children. It contains ivy leaf extract, which has a triple action:
- expectorant;
- mucolytic;
- antispasmodic.
There is no alcohol and sugar in the composition of this syrup, however, despite this, it has a slightly sweet taste and a pronounced herbal smell.
Some children do not like Gedelix because it has a bitter aftertaste after swallowing. Except for this moment (and even a high price), the tool has no drawbacks.
1. Vibrocil
- Average price - 300 rubles
- Release form - nasal drops.
- Permissible age - from 1 year.
When choosing drops for a child with a cold, many parents prefer Vibrocil, as a proven, effective and easy-to-use tool.
It has a vasoconstrictor effect on the nasal mucosa and has an anti-allergic effect.
The drops have a light lavender scent and do not irritate the sensitive nose of babies.
The action of Vibrocil comes very quickly, after 10 minutes it becomes easier to breathe through the nose.
A small additional plus of these drops is the pipette built into the cap.