Combi preparations for cold: pros and cons

Sore throat, runny nose, cough, headache and body aches are on the way? The cold wave hits many of us once or twice a year, and of course you can not use them at any time of the year. Some go quickly to the pharmacy to stock up without a prescription with a combined preparation such as Grippostad C, Aspirin Complex, Wick Medinait, etc., the others are critical of these resources and look for other ways for relief. What about the advantages and disadvantages of combination preparations for colds?

Combi preparations burden the body unnecessarily

A combined remedy aims to help against all sorts of common cold. Then the active ingredients are aligned. It does not matter at what stage you catch the cold and that you may not catch all the common cold symptoms. Experts from the Stiftung Warentest believe that the funds are unsuitable because they do not have a targeted effect and burden the body unnecessarily. For example, you do not need a fever-reducing agent for mild cold symptoms.

Note side effects

Having a cold, you do not have the nerve to deal extensively with the drugs and possible side effects. Depending on the preparation, the leaflet contains the indication that tachycardia, increased blood pressure, restlessness and nervousness can occur. If an anti-Histaminikum is involved, which is to bring the mucous membranes to the Schwschwellen, is to be counted on fatigue. The manufacturers are with their "gifts? quite clever: the one mixes caffeine to make up for that. Other manufacturers attract attention by looking like a natural remedy with a herbal supplement or aroma. But they are not.

Effect of combination preparations

Despite all the criticism of the combination drugs, with which the pharmacies fill their shelves, there are now studies that attribute great benefits to the combined active ingredients. A cold is essentially about alleviating pain and achieving an anti-inflammatory and decongestant effect. Even if not all sufferers fight the whole range, so in case of a cold from beginning to end several symptoms can be identified. In addition, one is supplied with a drug and does not have to look at several, as and when they are to be taken. Partly the combination preparations are also attributed a better effect. For example, while the conventional nasal spray works only locally, active ingredients in the combined preparation as a tablet or juice can also reach deeper into the respiratory tract.

Seven days or a week?

Whatever you decide on the next cold, you know, it takes seven days with medication, and without a week. Medication relieves the symptoms, but the advice from the pharmacy, I consider the inevitable, especially with the combination preparations. A vitamin C supplement applied to the package may give confidence, but does not really help. A contained cough suppressant leaves you without barking, but you also prevent the expulsion of mucus. So it means looking good - and honestly: I usually choose the seven days.

The advantages and disadvantages of combination preparations summarized

advantages disadvantage
  • Practical handling
  • A means of taking covers all stages of the common cold:
    • Only a pharmacy walk
    • Only a leaflet
    • Only one application to note
  • Effect: Depending on the preparation, deeper action than conventional means (e.g., nasal spray).
  • Burden on the body (Several active substances burden the body unnecessarily.)
    • Active ingredient for symptoms that are not there (yet)
    • side effects
  • Difficult decision-making: Each manufacturer advertises something special.

Angelo Po - Cold storage in Class A | April 2024