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Pharmacy Care provides information about self-care, that is how to treat minor medical conditions with products available at the pharmacy. Find out how your pharmacist can help you to manage minor conditions yourself.
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A cold is an infection caused by a virus. It usually lasts two to three days and does not cause serious illness in healthy people. Symptoms include a runny or blocked nose, coughing, sneezing, mild fever, headache, mild earache, sore throat and red, watery eyes.
Sometimes colds are confused with influenza (‘flu’). The flu is a much more serious condition, especially in the elderly and people with other health problems. Many symptoms are similar to those of a cold, but there is usually a higher fever with influenza. There may also be chills, fatigue, aching muscles and joints with influenza, and some people have breathing difficulties.
If you often suffer from sneezing and a runny nose during spring or summer this may be a sign of hayfever, rather than a cold.
See Your Pharmacist or Medical Professional
if you have a high fever (above 39°C)
if you have difficulty breathing or you are wheezing
if you are coughing up coloured mucus (although green or yellow mucus does not necessarily mean you need antibiotics)
if you have severe earache or sinus pain
if you have a nasal discharge that is thick and coloured, and/or only coming from one nostril
if your cold has lasted more than one week
if you have a rash, vomiting or neck stiffness
Not all cold remedies will be suitable for everyone. Ask your pharmacist for advice:
if the person with the cold is a baby or a child
if you have high blood pressure, heart problems, stomach or indigestion problems, kidney problems, asthma, urinary retention, glaucoma, thyroid problems or diabetes
if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
if you are elderly
if you are taking medicine for other conditions
Treatment Tips
drink plenty of fluids, keep warm and try to rest
avoid spreading the cold to others:
cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing
use tissues to blow your nose rather than hankies, and discard tissues in the rubbish bin after a single use
wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you sneeze or cough. Alcohol-based hand gels are also effective
avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth since germs are easily spread that way
Treatment Options
There are no treatments to cure a cold. Antibiotics are not useful because colds are caused by viruses not bacteria. Using antibiotics unnecessarily can lead to resistance, and they also have side effects which can include nausea, diarrhoea and thrush. However, there are many products to help relieve the symptoms of a cold, such as:
pain relievers (analgesics); these can also help to lower a high temperature
decongestants, antihistamines and inhalations; these can help to relieve a blocked or runny nose
cough remedies such as cough suppressants, which may provide relief from a dry, unproductive cough, and expectorants, which may help a chesty cough
Day/night products contain two different types of tablets: one for use during the day and one for night. The night treatment causes drowsiness and can aid sleep. Avoid alcohol if you take these products.
Many cold relief products contain two or more ingredients to treat different symptoms, such as a pain reliever and a decongestant. If you take more than one cold remedy, check the label to make sure you are not doubling up on the same type of ingredient or treatment. You may not have all the symptoms that a combination product treats, so it is important to explain your symptoms to your doctor or pharmacist so that the best product is selected for you.
Oral pain relievers (analgesics) and reduction of fever
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g. paracetamol, packets of 24 or fewer (Panadol), sachets (Lemsip Max, Lemsip Original Lemon, Panadol Cold & Flu Max/Hot Lemon)
paracetamol is a safe choice for most people but it is important not to take more than recommended
paracetamol is an ingredient in many cold and flu remedies, so be careful not to double dose if taking more than one product
the maximum daily dose for an adult is 4 g (4000 mg), and no more than 1 g (1000 mg) every four hours. See manufacturer’s directions for children’s doses. (Dose by weight for children)
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g. aspirin (Aspro range, Disprin range), ibuprofen, packets of 24 or fewer (Advil, Nurofen, Panafen IB, Tri-Profen).
[PHARMACY ONLY]
e.g. ibuprofen (larger pack sizes) (Nurofen, Panafen IB), ibuprofen suspension (Dimetapp Children’s/Infant’s Suspension, iProfen Suspension for Children, Nurofen for Children)
paracetamol, aspirin and NSAIDs relieve pain and reduce fever (high temperature)
paracetamol and NSAIDs can be used together as they work differently (they are usually given at different times; ask your pharmacist for dosing advice)
see manufacturer’s directions for children’s doses
Aspirin and NSAIDs are not suitable for everyone. Children under 12 years old must not take aspirin because it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a serious condition. It should also be avoided by adolescents under 16 years old who have a viral illness.
Check with your pharmacist before taking aspirin or NSAIDs if you:
have a history of stomach problems, such as ulcers or indigestion
have asthma; some people with asthma find their condition is made worse by these types of medicines
have kidney problems or a heart condition
take other medications
have an allergy to aspirin or NSAIDs
are pregnant or breastfeeding
are dehydrated
Sometimes aspirin and NSAIDs can cause side effects. It is important to take these products with a glass of water and food to minimise heartburn. If you develop indigestion, or unusual or increased bleeding or bruising, stop taking them and talk to your pharmacist.
Saline nasal products
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g. Fess Saline, FLO Saline, Narium Natural Mist Spray/Drops
saline (salt water) nasal sprays or drops thin mucus and moisturise dry nasal passages
they allow mucus to be broken down faster and make it easier to clear
they are not medicated, therefore, unlike other topical decongestants, are safe to use in young children, pregnant women, and long term in people with persistent congestion.
e.g. phenylephrine (Dimetapp PE Nasal Decongestant, Sudafed PE Nasal Decongestant)
best taken not after 6 pm since these products may cause restlessness and insomnia
not recommended for children
[PHARMACIST ONLY]
e.g. pseudoephedrine (Logicin Sinus Tablets, Sudafed Sinus and Nasal Decongestant, Sudafed Sinus 12 hour Relief)
best taken not after 6 pm since these products may cause restlessness and insomnia
not recommended for children
customers may be asked for identification as part of regulatory requirements and/or the Project Stop program before supply. This is to stop diversion of these tablets into illicit substances*
Inhalations
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g. volatile oils, e.g. menthol (Karvol Decongestant Capsules), camphor (Vicks Inhaler)
e.g. steam inhalation (extralife Euky Bearub, Vicks Vaporub/VapoSteam)
avoid using oils with steam in very young children
do not apply products directly to the chest or skin. Instead place on a tissue and place near the face (for example, under a pillow or in a top pocket)
Combination products
these treat a range of symptoms, e.g.
analgesics (pain relievers); these can also help to lower a high temperature
decongestants, antihistamines and inhalations; these can help to relieve a blocked or runny nose
cough suppressants which can provide relief from a dry, unproductive cough
expectorants and mucolytics which can help a chesty cough
Decongestant + analgesic
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g. Panadol Cold & Flu + Decongestant, Panadol Cold & Flu Max + Decongestant Hot Lemon, Panadol Sinus Relief PE, Sudafed PE Sinus + Pain Relief
[PHARMACY ONLY]
e.g. Dimetapp PE Sinus Pain Tablets, Sudafed PE Sinus + Pain Relief
customers may be asked for identification as part of regulatory requirements and/or the Project Stop program before supply. This is to stop diversion of these tablets into illicit substances*
customers may be asked for identification as part of regulatory requirements and/or the Project Stop program before supply. This is to stop diversion of these tablets into illicit substances*
customers may be asked for identification as part of regulatory requirements and/or the Project Stop program before supply. This is to stop diversion of these tablets into illicit substances*
Decongestant + paracetamol + antihistamine
[PHARMACY ONLY]
e.g. Demazin PE Cold & Flu Relief Day & Night Tablets (contain codeine), Dimetapp PE Sinus Day + Night Tablets, Sudafed PE Sinus + Allergy & Pain Relief Tablets, Sudafed PE Sinus Day + Night Relief
customers may be asked for identification as part of regulatory requirements and/or the Project Stop program before supply. This is to stop diversion of these tablets into illicit substances*
customers may be asked for identification as part of regulatory requirements and/or the Project Stop program before supply. This is to stop diversion of these tablets into illicit substances*
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