First of all, before choosing cold medicine, we should know whether we are suffering from the common cold or influenza. The former is caused by a variety of viruses, with mild symptoms, rapid improvement, less infection and unfashionability, which can occur all year round, especially in winter and spring. The latter is caused by influenza virus, with acute onset, serious illness, frequent occurrence in winter and spring, often spreading rapidly and being popular among people. Their symptoms are similar, such as chills, fever, headache and joint pain all over the body; Nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, dry throat, itching and sore throat; Cough, expectoration, etc.
Due to the acute onset of cold and complex symptoms, no drug can solve all the problems so far. Therefore, there are many compound preparations for treating colds. There are mainly three kinds of cold medicines sold in pharmacies: one is pure Chinese medicine compound preparation, the other is compound preparation combining traditional Chinese and western medicine, and the third is pure chemical medicine compound preparation.
Western medicine preparation
First, drugs to treat symptoms
1. Antipyretic and analgesic drugs such as aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen, crack, new Contac, Baijiahei, Gankang, etc. These drugs have good antipyretic and analgesic effects on headache and joint pain, and are often used to treat headache, general weakness and joint pain after a cold. There are many kinds of these drugs with different dosage forms, especially compound preparations, which are often equipped with other ingredients besides antipyretic and analgesic drugs for different symptoms.
2. Vasoconstrictors, such as phenylpropanolamine and pseudoephedrine, can relieve congestion of sinus and nasal mucosa and effectively relieve nasal congestion. Often combined with antipyretic and analgesic drugs.
3. Anti-allergic drugs, such as chlorpheniramine and diphenhydramine, can dry and thicken lower respiratory secretions, reduce sneezing and runny nose, and have a slight calming effect, so that patients with colds can get proper rest. It can be used alone or in combination with antipyretic and analgesic drugs.
4. Central stimulants, such as caffeine, are generally added to compound preparations, mainly to strengthen the efficacy of antipyretic and analgesic drugs and offset the drowsiness caused by antiallergic drugs.
Although there are many names, trade names and various formulations of cold medicines mainly sold by pharmacies, they are mainly symptomatic drugs. When purchasing, patients should carefully read the drug instructions according to their own illness and various symptoms, and understand the composition, type, dosage and various possible toxic and side effects of the compound preparation, so as to make the correct choice as much as possible. If you don't understand or have questions, you should consult a doctor and a licensed pharmacist in time.
In addition, most of these drugs relieve various symptoms by sweating. When taking it, you should also pay attention to the dosage according to your own physique. You must not increase the dose casually, so as not to cause sweating collapse, especially for middle-aged and elderly people. This medicine has great toxic and side effects and should not be taken for a long time. Generally, you can stop taking medicine when the symptoms of cold are alleviated or disappeared. According to the course of disease, 1 ~ 3 days can be used. If the symptoms of a cold are still serious after a week, you should go to the hospital for treatment in time, and remember not to take multiple antipyretic and analgesic drugs at the same time after a cold, so as to avoid the increase of toxic and side effects and even danger.
Second, use drugs according to the cause.
Antiviral drugs are mostly caused by virus infection. Timely application of antiviral drugs in the early stage of cold can inhibit the synthesis of nucleic acid and protein by virus and inhibit the release of virus by cells, which is a radical method. Amantadine, Viral and other drugs.
Compound preparation of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine
These drugs are generally based on antipyretic and analgesic western medicines, and some traditional Chinese medicines with antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects are added. On the one hand, it has a good therapeutic effect on viral infection, on the other hand, it can properly prevent secondary bacterial infection, because most traditional Chinese medicines for clearing away heat and toxic materials can not only resist viruses, but also have a good antibacterial effect. For example, Kangbide, a compound preparation of Chinese and western medicine, is a cold medicine. Kangbide, commonly known as compound paracetamol and zinc gluconate tablets, contains acetaminophen, zinc gluconate, dioxoprozine hydrochloride, Radix Isatidis extract powder and other ingredients, among which Radix Isatidis extract is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine with good antiviral effect. The combination of these drugs not only takes effect quickly, but also has the characteristics of wide range of action.
The side effects of these drugs are less than those of pure western medicine preparations, but greater than those of pure Chinese patent medicine preparations. In recent years, it has developed rapidly and has a wide variety, which is deeply loved by patients. For example, Zhonglian Li Qiang Tablet, Sanjiu Ganmao Granule Capsule, Li Qiang Yinqiao Tablet and Compound Ganmaoling Tablet are all commonly used cold medicines for patients.
Chinese patent medicine preparation
There are many anti-cold drugs in Chinese patent medicine, such as Sangju Ganmao Tablet, Yinqiao Jiedu Pill, Lingqiao Jiedu Pill, LingGan Yang Ganmao Tablet, Jiuwei Qianghuo Pill, Shensulifei Pill, Tongxuan Lifei Pill, Fang Jing Granule, Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid, etc.
It is worth noting that TCM is an independent theoretical system. Traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese patent medicine preparations are made according to the theory of syndrome differentiation and treatment. They are commonly used drugs in China. Treating colds is convenient and easy, with little toxic and side effects, and it is very popular. In practical application, we should pay attention to the characteristics of cold, heat and cold, prescribe the right medicine and treat it according to syndrome differentiation, and we should not abuse it. If used properly, it will have a magical effect. Improper use is not only ineffective, but even counterproductive, making the condition worse.
1. The symptoms of wind-heat syndrome include severe fever, mild aversion to cold, headache and swollen eyes, or thirst, cough, yellow and thick phlegm, thin and white fur, and floating pulse. Sangju Ganmao Tablet, Yinqiao Jiedu Tablet, LingGan Yang Ganmao Tablet and Lingqiao Jiedu Pill should be selected. It has the effect of pungent and cool.
2. Symptoms of feeling cold include aversion to cold, mild fever (or no fever), headache, stuffy nose, runny nose, itchy throat, cough and thin white sputum; The moss is thin and white, and the pulse is floating. At this time, Su Shen Li Fei Pill, Jiuwei Qianghuo Pill and Xuan Tong Li Fei Pill should be used to dispel cold.
In addition, if you feel cold, fever, aversion to cold, hypothermia, headache and other symptoms, accompanied by stomach discomfort, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, you should choose Huoxiang Zhengqi Pill or Huoxiang Zhengqi Water to relieve exterior symptoms and eliminate dampness. If you have fever, aversion to cold, headache, dizziness, bitter mouth and dry mouth, sore throat, or cough, vomiting, asthma, constipation, red urine and other symptoms after a cold, you should choose Fangfeng Tongsheng Pill to relieve exterior and clear interior. If the body is weak, the resistance is low, and it is easy to sweat and catch cold, which is characterized by fatigue, loss of appetite, mild fever, runny nose, long duration, or repeated colds, we should pay attention to strengthening the body resistance and eliminating pathogens, and Buzhong Yiqi Pill can be used to replenish qi and relieve exterior symptoms. If a cold is accompanied by cough, the principle of medication is: Fritillaria cirrhosa loquat dew for hot phlegm, Pinellia ternata dew for cold phlegm, and antitussive drugs for cough without phlegm.
To sum up, the drugs for treating colds must be reasonable and cannot be used blindly. If there is no bacterial infection, it is just a viral cold. Antibiotics have no effect at all and can only bring harm to the body. That's what happened to Aunt Li mentioned earlier. There was no bacterial infection, so she added antibiotics privately.