As colds (including influenza) is not yet a definitive treatment of drugs, so the general use of symptomatic treatment, most of the drugs used are compound preparations, the main components of which are antipyretic, mucosal vasoconstrictor drugs, cough suppressants and antihistamines. 1, antipyretic and analgesic can reduce the fever patient’s body temperature, but almost no effect on the normal body temperature; it is mild, moderate chronic dull pain has significant therapeutic effect, often used in the treatment of headache, arthralgia, menstrual pain and other diseases. It is non-tolerant and addictive, and the side effects are small, when the cold has a headache, fever, you can make the appropriate choice. It is important to note that although antipyretics are OTC (over-the-counter) medications, they are not absolutely safe. Excessive use of antipyretic analgesics can cause excessive sweating and lead to weakness, and because antipyretic analgesics are irritating to the gastrointestinal tract, they should be used with caution for peptic ulcers. Acetaminophen in antipyretic analgesics can impair liver and kidney function when used in large doses over a long period of time. Pregnant women and lactating mothers should also be cautious of using antipyretic analgesics. 2, mucosal vasoconstrictor drugs These drugs can contract the nasal mucosal blood vessels, thereby improving the symptoms of nasal congestion. Now the main mucosal vasoconstrictor is pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine side effects, the average person can be used within the effective dose, but heart disease, hypertension, coronary atherosclerosis, hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus patients must be careful and cautious, should obtain the consent of the physician before use. Cough suppressants There are many kinds of cough suppressants, among which dextromethorphan is the main one used in the compound preparation of cold medicine. Overdose of dextromethorphan can lead to confusion, bronchial constriction, and even inhibition of suction. And because dextromethorphan’s cough suppressant effect is stronger, so cough phlegm should not be used, otherwise it can lead to phlegm obstruction of the airways. 4, antihistamines are mainly used for anti-allergy. Used in the treatment of colds is to fight against cold-induced allergy symptoms, such as runny nose, sneezing and so on. A major side effect of this kind of medicine is drowsiness, but some people will turn this side effect into a “positive effect”, that is, in the cold medicine “night tablet” or “black tablets” added antihistamines This is to add antihistamines to the “night” or “black” tablets of cold remedies, which can precisely make people sleep. Due to the strong side effect of drowsiness of this kind of medicine, drivers, high-altitude work and people engaged in dangerous work should pay extra attention when taking it, and a new generation of antihistamines can be used for treatment. Cold and flu medication instructions 1, the maximum possible to find out whether the patient is suffering from influenza or the common cold. 2.If the patient only has headache, fever, muscle pain and other symptoms, only appropriate use of antipyretic and analgesic drugs can be. 3.If the patient only has nasal congestion, runny nose and other symptoms without headache, fever, muscle and joint pain, can be used without antipyretic and analgesic compound preparations. 4.Familiarize with the adverse reactions of the recommended drugs, and use vasoconstrictors containing pseudoephedrine and other vasoconstrictors with caution in patients with hypertension and heart disease. 5, such as cold symptoms persist for 5 days still not relieved, or although not to 5 days but there are obvious secondary bacterial infections (such as coughing up purulent sputum) should be added antibacterial drug therapy or urge the patient to go to the hospital for treatment. 6, influenza patients with the addition of antiviral drugs may be effective; infants and young children or the elderly and frail, discretionary antibacterial drugs to prevent secondary infections.