Cough, Chronic Cough, Rhinitis and Sinusitis - a Table of Drugs

This list is by no means complete. There are literally dozens of 'Over the Counter' (OTC) drugs marketed for colds, rhinitis & sinusitis, and only some of them are listed. However, I have included most of the commonly used prescription drugs for these conditions. Note that antibiotics are available only by prescription. (For a list of drugs used to treat asthma, Click Here).

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DRUG CATEGORY	EXAMPLES BY BRAND NAME	COMMENT
OTC DECONGESTANTS	Antihistamines Actifed Benadryl (diphenhydramine) Contac Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine) Dimetane (Brompheniramine) Drixoral Tavist (clemastine) Many others Non antihistamine Sudafed (pseudoephedrine HCL)	The OTC antihistamine preparations are 'first generation', and can cause drowsiness. Sudafed is not an antihistamine and doesn't lead to drowsiness; it can, however, cause fast heart beat.
PRESCRIPTION DECONGESTANTS (generic name)	Claritin (loratadine) Clarinex (desloratadine) Allegra (fexofenadine) Zyrtec (cetirizine HCL) Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheneramine maleate)	These 'second generation' antihistamines are less likely to cause drowsiness than 1st generation antihistamines. They are indicated mainly for "allergic rhinitis," though are in fact widely used for non-allergy symptoms. Note also that Claritin and Allergra are available in combination with Sudafed (pseudoephedrine HCL), a non-histamine, OTC decongestant (Claritin-D, Allegra-D).
OTC EXPECTORANTS & ANTI-TUSSIVES	Expectorants Guaiafenesin Anti-tussives Click here for Wikipedia article on cough medicines	Guaiafenesin is the active ingredient in many over the counter combination drugs, including all Robitussin products. Drugs to suppress cough are called anti-tussives, of which there are many. Click here for Wikipedia article on cough medicines
PRESCRIPTION DECONGESTANTS & ANTI-TUSSIVES	Decongestants Guaifenesin (generic) Anti-tussives Hycodan (hydrocodone) Codeine	Guaifenesin is common in many OTC drugs (see above category), but is also available in much higher doses by prescription (the recommended dose for adults is 1200-2400 mg a day). Guaiafenesin is also in many prescription combination drugs (e.g., Entex LA). Prescription anti-tussives contain codeine or some variation of morphine (in low doses), and are thus controlled drugs (Schedule II or III); physicians must provide their DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) number on the presciption.
OTC NASAL SPRAYS	Decongestant Afrin Dristan Vicks Nasalcrom Saline (not a decongestant) Ocean Afrin Saline Mist Salinex	Decongestant nasal sprays can have side effects if used for more than a few days; read product insert before using. Saline sprays are used to break up and thin mucus. Nasal sprays: how to use them correctly
PRESCRIPTION NASAL SPRAYS	Steroids Flonase (generic) Nasacort (triamcinolone) Nasalide (flunisolide) Nasonex (mometasone) Rhinocort (budesonide) Omnaris (ciclesonide) Veramyst (fluticasone) Non-steroidal Astelin (azelastine HCl) Atrovent nasal (ipratroprium Br) Nasalcrom (cromolyn sodium)	Steroids cut down inflammation and allt the drugs of this class work the same. The non-steroidals include Astelin (an antihistamine) and Atrovent (an anticholinergic drug); they help shrink blood vessels in the nose. Nasal sprays: how to use them correctly
ANTIBIOTICS (ALL ARE BY PRESCRIPTION)	Amoxil (Amoxacillin Augmentin (amoxacillin-clavulate) Avelox (Moxifloxacin HCl) Bactrim (Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim) Biaxin (clarithryomycin) Cipro (ciprofloxacin) Avelox (moxifloxacin) Doxycycline Levaquin (levofloxacin) Tequin (gatifloxacin) Zithromax (azithromycin)	Use as directed; may require up to three weeks' therapy for some cases of sinusitis
ORAL STEROIDS	Prednisone (written as generic) Medrol (methylprednisone)	Excellent for short term use (<2 weeks) to decrease inflammation and reduce or eliminate chronic cough. There can be major side effects with long term use; the goal for any patient on these drugs should be to discontinue them as soon as feasible.
ALTERNATIVE	Herbal remedies; vitamin C; chicken soup; acupuncture; dozens of others	While alternative therapies are great for the common cold (which gets better no matter what you do), they may delay therapy for conditions that require antibitotics or steroids (chronic sinusitis). Any chronic symptom (>3 weeks) should be evaluated by a physician.