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Created July 19, 2022 21:50
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OTC Drug Chart

For cold or flu, take these over the counter drugs on a schedule until feeling better or see a doctor

Take the Mucus relief and a pain reliever of your choice. If things are bad, take both pain relievers for a short time.

Drug Brand Name Symptoms Notes Schedule
Guaifenesin Mucinex Congested, Cold, Allergies Super effective, need to drink extra water 1 pill 400 mg evry 4 hours

AND

Drug Brand Name Symptoms Notes Schedule
Ibuprofen ibuprofen Pain, fever, everything Overdose not a good idea, try alternating Tylenol some doses 1 or 2 pills 200-400 mg every 4 hours

OR

Drug Brand Name Symptoms Notes Schedule
Acetaminophen Tylenol Pain, fever, everything Alternate with ibuprofen or can stack together for a short term boost 1 or 2 pills (500 mg each) every 6 hours, lasts longer than ibuprofen

Add if you still feel head congested or very tired

Drug Brand Name Symptoms Notes Schedule
Pseudoephedrine Sudafed Congested Stimulant, Addictive, 7 day limit 2 pills (30 mg each) every 4 to 6 hours

Add if you're coughing or lung pain

Drug Brand Name Symptoms Notes Schedule
Dextromethorphan Robitussin Cough Also helps a little with general pain, addictive, many side effects 5 ml or 10 ml liquid (30 or 60 mg) every 12 hours

Add only if necessary to help sleep

Drug Brand Name Symptoms Treated Notes
Doxylamine succinate Costco Sleep Aid Allergies, insonmia Groggy next day, try 1/2 or less dose, bad for brain health

OR

Drug Brand Name Symptoms Treated Notes
Diphenhydramine Benadryl Allergies, insonmia Fast acting and short lived, addictive, bad for brain health

Add as Optional

Drug Brand Name Symptoms Treated Notes
Caffeine Caffeine Tired Addictive
OTC Allergy Various Allergies Can help you feel better

Not recommended (do not mix with above)

Drug Brand Name Symptoms Treated Notes
Phenylephrine Sudafed PE Congested Doesn't work well
Alcohol Booze Everything Bad idea to mix
PM Drugs NyQuil Sleep during cold Bad idea, use as a last resort
Mixed Drugs DayQuil, Tylenol Cold, etc Cold Mixed drug cocktails don't give you control

Dosage chart

Make a chart and fill in when you take the dose to keep track, check every 2 to 4 hours and look at your last dose to see if you can take another dose per medicine. I like to do this on a 3x5 card and not use a computer.

Example scenario: Coughing at night and trouble sleeping. Swapping the pseudoephedrine for dextromethorphan at night and adding 1/2 a pill of Doxylamine (similar to a NyQuil). In bed before 10:30 PM.

Drug 8 AM 10 AM 12 PM 2 PM 4 PM 6 PM 8 PM 10 PM 12 PM
Ibuprofen X --- X --- X --- X --- X
Guaifenesin X --- X --- X --- X --- X
Pseudoephedrine X --- --- X --- --- --- --- ---
Dextromethorphan --- --- --- --- --- --- --- X ---
Doxylamine --- --- --- --- --- --- --- X ---

If symptoms are really bad wake every 2 to 4 hours to continue the schedule during the night.

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