Every fall the cold and flu aisle fills up with boxes that all seem to promise the same thing. Daytime, nighttime, multi symptom, max strength. When you feel awful, it is hard to know which one you actually need. The good news is that most of these products are built from a short list of ingredients. Once you know what each one does, picking the right medicine gets much simpler, and you avoid taking things you do not need.
Start with your main symptom
Cold and flu medicines do not cure the virus. Colds and the flu are caused by viruses, and antibiotics do not work on them. What these products do is ease symptoms while your body fights the infection. That is why the best place to start is your worst symptom, not the box with the longest list.
A single ingredient product for the symptom that bothers you most is often a better fit than an all in one formula. Multi symptom products can mean you take medicine for problems you do not have, and they make it easier to double up on an ingredient by accident.
Stuffy nose: decongestants
Decongestants shrink swollen blood vessels in the nose so you can breathe more easily. You will see two types:
- Oral decongestants such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, often marked with a "D" or "sinus" on the box.
- Nasal sprays such as oxymetazoline or xylometazoline. These work quickly, but using them longer than the label allows can cause rebound congestion, where your nose gets more blocked when you stop.
Oral decongestants are not a good fit for everyone. Ask your pharmacist first if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid problems, diabetes, glaucoma or an enlarged prostate, or if you take medicine for depression. A saline spray or rinse is a gentle option almost anyone can use, and it helps clear mucus without any medicine at all.
Cough: match the medicine to the cough
Not all coughs are the same, and cough medicines are designed for different jobs:
- Dry, tickly cough: a cough suppressant such as dextromethorphan (often marked "DM") can calm the urge to cough, especially at night.
- Chesty cough with mucus: an expectorant such as guaifenesin helps thin the mucus so it is easier to clear. You usually do not want to fully suppress a productive cough.
For adults and children over one year old, a spoonful of honey can soothe a cough. Never give honey to a baby under one. Dextromethorphan can interact with some antidepressants and other medicines, so mention everything you take when you ask for a recommendation.
Runny nose, sneezing and sleep: antihistamines
Older antihistamines such as diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine dry up a runny nose and cause drowsiness, which is why they show up in many "nighttime" formulas. That drowsiness can last into the next morning. Do not drive or operate machinery after taking them, and avoid mixing them with alcohol or sleep aids. Older adults are more sensitive to these side effects, so ask us about a better option if you are over 65.
Fever, aches and sore throat
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) both ease fever, body aches and a sore throat. Which one suits you depends on your health, and our guide to Tylenol vs Advil explains the difference.
Here is the trap: acetaminophen is already in many combination cold and flu products. If you take a multi symptom cold medicine and then add Tylenol for a headache, you can go over the safe daily limit without noticing. Check the active ingredients on every box, and count the total for the day.
For a sore throat, lozenges, warm drinks and a salt water gargle can help. A sore throat with a fever but no cough or runny nose may be strep throat, which is a bacterial infection. Our strep throat guide explains the signs and what to do next.
Children need different rules
Health Canada advises against giving over the counter cough and cold medicines to children under six. For older kids, use only products made for children, dose by weight, and use the measuring device that comes in the box. Rest, fluids, a cool mist humidifier and saline drops are safe first steps for little ones. Our children's medication dosing guide covers fever and pain relief for kids.
Is it a cold or the flu?
A cold usually builds slowly with a runny nose and sneezing. The flu tends to hit fast with fever, chills, body aches and exhaustion. If you think you have the flu, especially if you are 65 or older, pregnant, or live with a chronic condition, talk to a pharmacist or doctor early. Antiviral treatment, when it is appropriate, works best when it starts soon after symptoms begin. Our flu season guide goes through the differences in more detail.
The best defence is still prevention. Free flu shots are available at Acme Drug Mart this season, and you can read what to expect on our 2026 flu shot page.
Winter in Edmonton makes it worse
Edmonton's cold, dry winter air dries out the nose and throat, which can make congestion and coughing feel worse. A humidifier in the bedroom, plenty of water and saline spray can make a real difference, with no side effects. Wash your hands often, and stay home when you are sick so it does not spread through your office or your kid's classroom.
When to see a doctor
Most colds clear up on their own in about a week to ten days. Get medical care if you have trouble breathing or chest pain, a high fever that lasts more than a few days, symptoms that improve and then come back worse, ear pain, or a cough that hangs on for weeks. Call 911 in an emergency, or Health Link at 811 if you are not sure where to go.
Bring us your shopping basket
The easiest way to choose is to ask. Bring the box you are thinking about to the counter, tell us your symptoms and the medicines you already take, and we will check that it is a safe fit. Call (780) 443-0202 or visit Acme Drug Mart at Unit 103, 15508 87 Ave NW in Meadowlark, west Edmonton. Open Monday 9 to 5, Tuesday through Friday 9 to 6, and Saturday 11 to 5. Feeling too sick to come in? Ask about our free delivery anywhere in Edmonton.