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You're sick. You need something to take away the pain and itchiness. You walk into the pharmacy and are faced with hundreds of different brands, and thousands of different kinds of medicine. Do you want an antihistamine? Or a decongestant? What's the difference? What do they do for you?

That all depends on how you are sick, and what you want to make better.

*ANTIHISTAMINES*

Antihis tamines relieve the nuance of sneezing and itchy or runny nose. They do this by preventing histamines from attaching themselves to your cells. Also, they work in the part of the brain that controls nausea and vomiting, so they also can help relieve motion sickness. This remedy comes in 2 forms: 1st generation and 2nd generation. They 1st generation can cause drowsiness, while the 2nd generation ultimately has no side effects.

1st Generation Brand and Brand Names:

Brompheniramine: Dimetapp Cold's Allergy Elixir, Robitussin Allergy and Cough Liquid
Chlorpheniniramine: Singlet
Dimenhydrinate: Dramamine Original
Diphenhydramine: Benadryl Allergy, Nytol, Sominex
Doxylamine: Vicks NyQuil, Alka-Seltzer Plus Night Time Cold Medicine.

2nd Generation Types and Brand Names:

Loratadine: Alavert, Claritin

People should consult their doctor before taking 1st generation antihistamines if they have glaucoma, an enlarged prostate gland, breathing problems, thyroid disease, heart disease, and high blood pressure. People with kidney or liver disease should talk to their doctor before taking 2nd generation.

*DECONGESTANTS*

Deco ngestants mostly relieve stuffy noses. They do this by reducing the swelling of the mucous membrane in the nasal passage. It comes in 2 different forms. Both forms have been known to cause nervousness or dizziness.

Pill Form

Pseudoephedrine: Mucinex, Advil cold and Sinus, Clarinase, Nurofen Cold and flu, Contac Non Drowsy

Nasal Spray

Phenylephrine: Sudafed

People should consult their doctor with both types when they have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney problems, glaucoma, thyroid disease, diabetes, and an enlarged prostate gland.

*COUGH MEDICINE*

Cough medicines come in only 2 different types: Antitrussive and Expectorant.

Antitrussive

This is a cough suppressant which works by blocking the cough reflex in your body.

Dextromethorphan: Triaminic Cold and Flu, Vicks 44 Cough Relief

Expectorant

This works by thinning the mucus in your nasal passage.

Guaifenesen: Mucinex, Robitussin

People should consult their doctor before using these cough medicines if they are coughing up mucus or phlegm, wheeze

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