It's that time of year... you have sniffles or drainage... what are your options? Most don't really know the difference but it is VERY important to know how they work to treat cold symptoms. One keeps you awake, the other one makes you drowsy. It's also important to know who should -- and should not take decongestants and antihistamines.
Runny and itchy nose
If it's running... and clear drainage... take an antihistamine
Antihistamines are frequently included in nighttime cold medicines as they make most people drowsy.
But for many people, antihistamines may help relieve sneezing and runny nose from a cold.
When your nose and sinuses are affected by a cold virus, special cells in your nose and sinuses release a chemical called histamine. This causes the tissues in your nose to itch and swell and to alter the mucus it secretes so that the mucus becomes clear and runny. Antihistamine cold medicines block histamine from interacting with the nasal tissues, thus preventing sneezing and runny nose.According to WEBMD - only the older antihistamines, such as brompheniramine and chlorpheniramine, are effective at relieving cold symptoms. Their main side effect is drowsiness, which makes them difficult for some people to take during the day. That's why antihistamines are often included in nighttime cold medicines. Newer antihistamines like Allergra and Claritin have not been shown to work against cold symptoms.
Besides being drowsy, other common side effects of antihistamines include dry mouth, dizziness, and headache.
STUFFED UP and CAN'T Breathe?DECONGESTANTS(Caution if you are cardiac patient)
Stuffy nose? Can't breathe... take a decongestant
Decongestants and antihistamines come in many forms including as ingredients found in multi-symptom cold relief drugs.
Decongestants are often found in daytime cold medicines because they may keep you awake. Decongestants constrict the blood vessels... so you can breathe easier ...which is why it raises BLOOD pressure
When you have an allery or the cold virus, the tissues in your nose swell and increase their production of fluid and mucus. As a result, you might feel fullness or pressure in your nose and head. That's congestion, and it can cause you to have trouble breathing through your nose. Decongestants reduce swelling in the nasal and improve airflow so you can breathe through your nose.
Decongestants can also increase blood pressure, so people with high blood pressure or heart disease should use them cautiously. There are decongestant-free cold medicines available if you have high blood pressure.
Decongestants come in pill form or nasal sprays. Nasal spray decongestants do not usually keep you awake and may be helpful at night for congestion. But remember, you should not take them for more than three days as you may have an increase in congestion once you stop them if you use them longer.
FROM WEBMD
The following over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestant drugs are taken for relief of both cold and allergy symptoms.| Type of Decongestant or Antihistamine Cold Medicine | Brand Name(s) | Symptoms Treated | Possible Side Effects |
| Antihistamine (tablets, caplets, or liquid) | Benadryl Chlor-Trimeton Dimetane Tavist | Itchy, runny nose and eyes; sneezing; itchy throat | Drowsiness or grogginess, upset stomach, dry mouth, impaired coordination and judgment, urinary retention, loss of appetite, excitability (in children) |
| Decongestant (tablets or caplets) | Sudafed | Congestion and pressure in head, nose, and ears | Lightheadedness, wakefulness, nervousness, restlessness (jittery and shaky), increased blood pressure and heart rate; irregular heart beat |
| Antihistamine/ decongestant(tablets, caplets, or liquid) | Actifed Chlor-Trimeton D Dimetapp Drixoral Tavist D | Itchy, runny nose and eyes; sneezing; congestion | Possible antihistamine and/or decongestant side effects |
| Antihistamine/ decongestant/ pain reliever(tablets, caplets, or liquid) | Advil Cold and Sinus Comtrex Day/Night Tylenol Allergy Sinus | Itchy, runny nose and eyes; sneezing; congestion; headache | Possible antihistamine and/or decongestant side effects |
| Decongestant nose spray | Afrin Neo-Synephrine Dristan Nasal Spray | Nasal stuffiness | Might lead to "rebound" congestion from dependence on the medicine if used for more than three days |
| Antihistamine eye drops | Visine-A (Formerly OcuHist) | Itchy, watery eyes; eye redness | Temporary stinging in the eyes or blurred vision; "rebound" redness of the eyes if overused |
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause