by Dylan Fisher (Intern, Student Affairs Marketing and Communications)
When sick with a bug or navigating daily well-being, Student Health Services (SHS) wants to help UAB students stay healthy by providing information on over-the-counter (OTC) medications. These OTC medicines can be short-term remedies for common concerns like cough, fever, seasonal allergies, and more.
If symptoms are severe or haven’t improved within a few days, don't hesitate to schedule an appointment with SHS through the online portal or by calling the office at (205) 934-3580.
“Over-the-counter medications can be difficult to manage without the proper information,” says Kathleen Pridgen MD, “Some medications, though sold under different names, will contain the same drugs and can be harmful when paired together.”
Many combination cold medicines may contain duplicate drugs like acetaminophen or dextromethorphan. To avoid side effects and dosing errors, never take multiple combination medications together containing the same drugs.
We asked representatives at UAB Student Health Services about which medications are helpful to alleviate specific symptoms.
Coughs
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What OTC Medications should I take for dry coughs?
SHS: Medications containing dextromethorphan like DayQuil Cough, Delsym, and Robitussin can help suppress a cough.
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What medication helps alleviate a wet cough with phlegm?
SHS: Medications containing guaifenesin like Mucinex and Robitussin can help loosen congestion in the chest and throat.
Pain
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I have a fever and some minor pain, what OTC medication should I take?
SHS: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is an effective pain and fever reducer. Typical adult dosage is 650-1000mg every 6-8 hours as needed, with a maximum of 3000mg total/24 hours from all sources combined.
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What else can I take for fever, plain and inflammation?
SHS: Ibuprofen (Advil) is an effective pain, inflammation, and fever reducer. Typical adult dosage is 400mg every 4 hours, 600mg every 6 hours, or 800mg every 8 hours, or a maximum of 2400mg total/24 hours from all sources combined.
Conjestion
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What should I take for sinus and nasal congestion?
SHS: For itching nose, eyes, and runny nose, fluticasone (Flonase) nasal spray is effective when used for several days at a time. For immediate relief of severe congestion, oxymetazoline (Afrin) nasal spray is effective but should be used with caution. It can cause rebound congestion if used for >3 days in a row.
Allergies
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I am having allergy symptoms but don’t want to be drowsy
SHS: Medications that include fexofenadine (Allegra), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and Loratadine (Claritin) provide allergy relief without causing drowsiness.
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What allergy medication can I take before bed or when at home?
SHS: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is an effective antihistamine for relieving allergies but frequently causes drowsiness which makes it perfect to take at home or before bed. A typical adult dosages are 25-50mg every 6 hours as needed"
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