Exactly! It has always worked for me. i am thinking I should see if I can still find a big box at Costco.

Its works for me too!

Don't they use to make meth and is regulated to buy?

No, that’s pseudoephedrine.

I didn't ever find it helpful and didn't buy it. I never knew what to take for a cold any more with all the old familiar things gone from the shelves. My friend who is the head nurse at our health dept didn't have a whole lot of good suggestions either other than liquids and rest, time.

I can remember having a cold, buying Dristan and feeling reasonably normal, going to work, or if severe cold taking something similar and going to bed, getting a good nights sleep and feeling better the next day. Not a lot kept us down and nobody babied themselves with a cold! Those days long gone, and I wouldn't dream of going some place now and sharing the cold virus anyway.

I have bought the pseudoephedrine where we have to show ID and sign for it. RiteAid has made me feel like I'm doing something nefarious where Costco pharmacists happily and cheerfully hand over 5 boxes of 24 tabs at a time for about 1/10th the price of RiteAid.

I understand that this was in response to the results of clinical trials, not just some whim.

Never underestimate the placebo effect. That works too for many people - not to mention that our bodies heal themselves, given time.

Guaifenesin is all I've ever felt was needed. I did like cough medicine with condeine back in the day--but I don't think they give that out anymore.

Guaifenesin doesn't do squat for me!

I don't normally take anything for a cold but once in a blue moon I get sinus pain. I find Sinutab works immediately, whereas Sudafed doesn't.

I'm not even finding Sinutab anywhere. There are things we cannot get in the US but other countries you can still buy them.

Try Tylenol Cold.

ONE good thing about getting old is that I no longer seem to have such sinus trouble. I still have an old box of the only thing that ever worked for me. It's a Wallgreens knock-off called Wal-Act, It's Pseudoephedrine HCI 60 MG and Tripolidine HCI 2.5 MG. Nothing else would stop the "pain and drain".

Guaifenesin Is my go to for any type of congestion. Sometimes my ears congest due to Meniere's. The great thing about drugs like it, is they attack congestion everywhere. It's not meant to dry you up or shrink your membranes. It just loosens things up so your body can release them. I have never been a fan of cold medications. I do use menthol nasal inhalers occasionally also. But Pseudoephedrine sends me climbing walls. I believe less is more when treating none life threatening illness.

Thanks MDLN! I'm going to have to try some Flonase. I have never used it before but I've had several people recommend it as being very effective! I'm also going to go to the pharmacy and stock up on the old Sudafed.

#1DD was given a 'scrip for Navage use. If I thought I could handle one I would love to give that a go. As intriguing as it is, I can't imagine water up my nose. Brings back memories of days in the pool.

My ENT said to use Flonase regularly, not to expect it to do much on an 'as needed' basis. Fortunately, I have been able to skip it.

IMO we could skip all this stuff if we'd get serious and tackle *pollution*.

For my allergies, I've switched from Flonase to Astepro nasal spray. Seems to be an improvement.

ETA: this is for allergies, not a cold.

Wow, I dont have anything to add but a comment, wow wow! do you guys ever know your OTC drugs! i couldnt tell you what is in the Allleve I take on occasion. Not that is a good thing. Just a comment.

@Lulu, Aleve contains naproxen, which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), similar to ibuprofen/Motrin, but with a longer duration of action, so it lasts longer and you don't have to take it as often.

And be sure you take Aleve on a full stomach, or it will eat a hole in your stomach.

^^^YIKES^^^ I didn't know that! I never take Aleve though.

Aspirin can be hard on the stomach too.