Olbas oil is a natural decongestant medicine available at the pharmacy. When inhaled, it can relieve a blocked stuffy nose caused by colds, flu, hay fever, and sinus infections. It can also be applied to the skin to help treat muscle pain and stiffness found in back pain, arthritis, and fibromyalgia.

Dextromethorphan is a cough medication used to relieve dry and tickly coughs. You can buy it from your pharmacy either on its own or in combination with other medications for colds and flu. There are various products available. Examples include Robitussin DM, Nyquil, and many others.

Vicks VapoRub, an over-the-counter medication renowned for its ability to alleviate cold symptoms, offers symptomatic relief through its topical application. This comprehensive article aims to elucidate the treatment benefits, appropriate usage instructions, mechanism of action, contraindications, and potential side effects associated with Vicks VapoRub. Benefits of Vicks VapoRub Vicks VapoRub, available as an ointment, is specifically formulated to alleviate the symptoms associated with colds. By gently massaging the ointment onto the chest, throat, and back before bedtime, the therapeutic vapors emitted throughout the night provide relief from nasal catarrh, sore throat, congestion, and cough. The medication works to ease discomfort and promote a restful sleep.

Inhalers are designed for you to breathe in medication that reaches the lungs and targets inflammation or constriction. They come in a wide range of devices and modes of delivery. Your doctor will select the right one for you, and consider alternatives if it doesn’t suit you, but it helps to be informed of the different options out there so let’s talk you through it. First things first, let’s get to grips with terminology. A spacer device is a plastic tube that fits to your inhaler at one end and your mouth at the other, allowing you to get a dose of medicine from your inhaler quickly and simply - medicine given via a spacer gets to your lungs more easily and completely. Inhalers differ in how they deliver medicine to your lungs. Most inhalers are metered-dose inhalers (MDIs), which give a spray of medicine once you’ve pressed on the canister at the top, and these can be used with a spacer. Breath activated inhalers (BAIs) release a spray of medicine when you start to inhale, rather than pressing on the canister. Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) come as a powder rather than a spray, and you need to breathe in fairly hard to activate the inhaler.

Pseudoephedrine is used to temporarily relieve symptoms of congestion caused by colds, flu, and allergies. It works by reducing the blood flow in your nose and reduces swelling and discomfort allowing you to breathe more easily. It is one of the active ingredients in many over-the-counter cold and flu medications, such as Sudafed. Since 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has placed limits on the sale of these products to deter their illegal use for the production of methamphetamine. Products must be kept behind the pharmacy counter, only limited quantities can be dispensed during a specific time period, and the purchaser must show identification and sign a log book. Some states have implemented tighter restrictions, and some pharmacies have chosen not to stock pseudoephedrine products.

Albuterol, also known as albuterol sulfate, is the active ingredient in the reliever inhaler used to treat respiratory conditions. It is also commonly known by the brand name Ventolin or Proventil. This prescription-only medication can also come in tablets, capsules, or nebules for people who cannot use an inhaler effectively. Albuterol, also known as salbutamol in some regions, belongs to a class of drugs called short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs), which work by relaxing the muscles in the airways, thereby improving airflow to the lungs. How does albuterol work? Albuterol exerts its therapeutic effects by binding to "beta-2 adrenergic" receptors located on the cells lining the airways. This binding activates a cascade of intracellular events that relax the airway's smooth muscle, expanding the airways and improving airflow. By dilating the bronchial tubes, salbutamol helps alleviate symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath associated with asthma exacerbations.

A saline nasal spray is a popular natural and drug-free product used to alleviate nasal congestion. It consists of a saline solution, which is essentially saltwater. Most commercially available saline nasal sprays are isotonic, meaning they have the same salt concentration as bodily fluids like blood and tears. Typically, the salt concentration is around 0.9% sodium chloride. Saline nasal sprays are available in various forms, including sprays, solutions, and drops, catering to different individuals and their specific symptoms.

Constant sneezes and a streaming nose can be common in the pollen season. If you suffer from hay fever, or allergic rhinitis in medical terms, you will feel desperate to rid yourself of the tissues and feeling of congestion. Our pharmacist has put together some solutions to ease your nasal symptoms with hay fever.

Vocalzone Throat Pastilles are an over-the-counter remedy that have been used since their invention in 1907. Their formula has barely changed since they were first introduced, and are now even vegan friendly. The pastilles are formulated to help with the symptoms of a sore throat or irritation to help recover a voice.

Guaifenesin is a type of cough medication known as an expectorant used to treat chesty coughs. A build-up of thick mucus (phlegm) in your airways can be one of the causes of a chesty cough. Your respiratory system produces mucus every day that helps protect and lubricate your airways. However, during viral infections such as colds and flu, your respiratory system can produce too much mucus, leading to an annoying productive cough. You can buy guaifenesin from your pharmacy either on its own or in combination with other medications for colds and flu. There are various products available. Examples include Robitussin, Mucinex and many others. Occasionally a cough can be a symptom of a more serious problem. You should speak to your doctor if you have had a cough for more than three weeks, have severe symptoms such as fever, coughing up blood, have lost weight unexpectedly, or have chest pain or shortness of breath.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lifelong condition where lung tissue and airways have been damaged. An inhaler helps deliver targeted medications to your lungs, relieving symptoms and preventing flare-ups. Inhalers come in a wide range of devices and modes of delivery. Your doctor will select the right one for you and consider alternatives if it doesn’t suit you, but it helps to be informed on the different options out there. Our medical team will talk you through it. Firstly, let’s get to grips with terminology. A spacer device is a plastic tube that fits to your inhaler at one end and your mouth at the other, allowing you to administer a dose of medicine from your inhaler and breathe freely: medicine reaches your lungs more easily. Inhalers differ in how they deliver medicine to your lungs. Most inhalers are metered-dose inhalers (MDIs), which give a spray of medicine once you’ve pressed on the canister at the top, and these can be used with a spacer. Breath-activated inhalers (BAIs) release a spray of medicine when you start to inhale, rather than pressing on the canister. Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) come as a powder rather than a spray, and you need to breathe in fairly hard to activate the inhaler. They’re often called Turbohalers or Accuhalers.

Discover the effectiveness and considerations surrounding decongestants, vital medications employed to alleviate temporary nasal congestion. This comprehensive article delves into the treatment, mechanisms of action, appropriate usage, contraindications, potential interactions, and side effects associated with decongestants. Providing Relief from Nasal Congestion Decongestants serve as a short-term solution for individuals experiencing nasal congestion caused by various factors such as colds, flu, sinusitis, and allergies like hay fever. Well-known examples of decongestants include phenylephrine, oxymetazoline, and xylometazoline. These medications are readily available over-the-counter at pharmacies. Different formulations, including tablets, capsules, oral liquids, nasal sprays, nasal drops, and powders, are accessible to meet individual needs. It is important to note that only one decongestant product should be used at a time.