Clinical guidance
Treating the Common Cold
Published January 1, 2022
Important note: When we list a medication — like Tylenol — we mean plain Tylenol. Other versions, like Tylenol Cold, have extra medicine that you don’t want to mix with other drugs in this list.
Fever, sore throat, headache
Take up to 800 mg of ibuprofen with food every 6 to 8 hours. Don’t take more than 2,400 mg in 24 hours. Popular brands of ibuprofen include Advil and Motrin IB.
If ibuprofen bothers your stomach, switch to Tylenol. Take up to 1,000 mg every 6 hours. Don’t take more than 4,000 mg in 24 hours.
Stuffy nose
When your nose feels stuffed up, sinus rinse kits can be really helpful — just be sure to use DISTILLED water.
If it keeps you up at night, try Afrin nasal spray as directed on the label. Use it for 3 nights in a row at most. Taking it longer can make your symptoms worse.
Stuffy sinuses
When it's your sinuses that are full and stuffy, take Sudafed as directed on the label.
Mucus in your chest
Take Mucinex as directed on the label.
Cough
At night, take up to 50 mg of Benadryl. During the day, use Delsym as directed on the label.
Alternative medicine
If you’re interested in other options, try elderberry or Umcka as directed on the label. Some people find they work well.