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Suggest Ideal OTC Medication For Cold In An Elderly Person

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Posted on Mon, 6 Mar 2017
Question: What over the counter cold medication would be effective for a frail yet healthy 99 female yr. old taking Cymbalta and tramadol and Tylenol?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Harish Naik (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Most of the time Cold is caused by virusess, non pharmacological measures will be sufficient

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome
Most of the times cold is caused by viruses and you require only symptomatic treatment.
Initially instead of any medication I would have asked you to take plenty of warm fluids, bed rest, salt water gargling and steam inhalation with few drops of eucalyptus oil in it.

You can go for second generation non sedating antihistamine like cetirizine or levocetirizine. But in elderly it is always better to consult the physician before taking this OTC medication as well.
Hope this helps
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
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Follow up: Dr. Harish Naik (19 hours later)
Please submit your answers in laymen terms. Big medical words don't make the solution clear. Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Harish Naik (16 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Cetirizine and levocetirizine

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome again,

Cetirizine and Levocetirizine (10mg once daily at bedtime) are the over the counter medications that can be taken. But as said earlier it is better to consult physician before taking them.

Hope this helps, please feel free to ask in case of any further queries
Take care
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Harish Naik

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2635 Questions

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Suggest Ideal OTC Medication For Cold In An Elderly Person

Brief Answer: Most of the time Cold is caused by virusess, non pharmacological measures will be sufficient Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome Most of the times cold is caused by viruses and you require only symptomatic treatment. Initially instead of any medication I would have asked you to take plenty of warm fluids, bed rest, salt water gargling and steam inhalation with few drops of eucalyptus oil in it. You can go for second generation non sedating antihistamine like cetirizine or levocetirizine. But in elderly it is always better to consult the physician before taking this OTC medication as well. Hope this helps Take care