Wandering the cold-relief aisle of any pharmacy could make even a healthy person dizzy. Here’s a primer on some popular remedies:

• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen relieves headache and fever.
• Cough aids such as dextromethorphan, found in Robitussin, may quiet, if not cure, a cough. Guaifenesin, found in Tusibron and other products, thins mucus to make coughing more productive.
• Antihistamines can relieve your coughing, sneezing, and runny nose. But they’ll also make you sleepy. Newer nonsedating antihistamines such as loratadine don’t help coughing.
• Antihistamines often are combined with other drugs to relieve colds. You’ll find brompheniramine in products such as Dimetapp; chlorpheniramine in Singlet; diphenhydramine in Benadryl Allergy, Nytol, and Sominex; and doxylamine in Vicks NyQuil.
• Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine in Sudafed help clear a stuffy nose.

Antibiotics don’t kill the viruses that cause colds. Nor will they prevent bacterial complications such as ear infections. Instead, try these cold-relief tips:

• Drink lots of fluids: water, fruit juice, even chicken soup.
• Gargle with warm salt water to ease a sore throat.
• Dislodge mucus with a nose spray.

Is It Just a Cold?
A severe cough may signal flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the yearly flu shot to lower flu risk. See “Flu Season Is Here. Have a Question?” for a list of Paramount-participating providers that give flu and pneumonia vaccinations.