Cough, Cold and Allergy

Decongestants, cough medicines and antihistamines we stock

This category covers the medicines people reach for when a blocked nose, a cough or an allergy gets in the way. Oxymetazoline nasal sprays and drops, in adult and paediatric strengths, clear a blocked nose. Benzonatate capsules and dextromethorphan quiet a dry cough, while acetylcysteine thins mucus in a chesty one. For allergy there is bilastine combined with montelukast, ketotifen, and cyproheptadine, an older antihistamine also used to stimulate appetite.

Decongestant sprays and the three-day rule

Oxymetazoline works within minutes, but using it for more than about three days in a row can cause rebound congestion, where the nose blocks again as each dose wears off. Use the paediatric strength for children and keep to the spacing on the pack.

Dry cough or chesty cough

Matching the medicine to the cough matters. Suppressants such as dextromethorphan and benzonatate suit a dry, tickly cough. A cough that brings up mucus is usually better helped by a mucolytic such as acetylcysteine than suppressed. Benzonatate capsules are swallowed whole, never chewed or sucked, because they numb the mouth and throat.

Antihistamines, drowsiness and when to see a doctor

Cyproheptadine and ketotifen are sedating, and alcohol adds to that. Bilastine is a non-drowsy antihistamine taken on an empty stomach. Pirfenidone, also listed here, is a prescription treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis rather than a cold remedy. A cough lasting more than three weeks, or one with breathlessness or blood, needs to be seen by a doctor. Every listing shows the molecule, strength and pack size, with the guaranteed minimum expiry date. All stock ships from India through licensed distributors.