Can I Take Cold and Flu Medications Like Mucinex to Treat COVID-19

As COVID-19 continues on, it's on track to overlap with another cold and flu season. With that, many questions are circulating alongside the virus - particularly around prevention and treatment.

Since influenza (the flu), the common cold, and COVID are all viral infections, many people wonder if cold and flu medications can also manage COVID. Knowing more about what to take for COVID can put you in the driver's seat of navigating this illness.

What over-the-counter medicine is good for COVID?

Many over-the-counter (OTC) medications can help relieve symptoms of the common cold, flu, and COVID. However, these medications are not treatments for the viruses themselves. They don't work to kill the viruses that cause these infections.

The best OTC medicine for COVID symptoms could be one you may have at home already. Here are some examples of popular OTC medications that can ease COVID-related symptoms:

• Tylenol: Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a pain reliever and fever reducer.

• Mucinex:Mucinex (guaifenesin) is an expectorant that helps relieve chest congestion. An expectorant is a medication that helps you cough up mucus easier.

• NyQuil: NyQuil combination products typically contain acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and doxylamine.

• Sudafed: Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) is a decongestant that can relieve a stuffy nose.

• Flonase: Flonase (fluticasone propionate) is a corticosteroid nasal spray that helps manage runny nose and sneezing.

Good to know: Reach out to a pharmacist if you have questions about OTC medications for COVID. Since many different OTC cough and cold products are available, they can help you pick the best medication for your symptoms. Check out the "Drug Facts" label on the back of your preferred product to see the active ingredients.

What to take for COVID symptoms

You can typically manage mild COVID symptoms at home with OTC medications. Certain medications may even treat multiple symptoms.

The most appropriate option(s) may depend on certain factors though, such as your age and medical history. For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding cough and cold medications in kids under 4 years old. And if your child is 4 to 6 years old, it's best to get the OK from their pediatrician before trying an OTC cough and cold product.

Below, we break down OTC medications and remedies you can try depending on your COVID symptoms.

Congestion

Congestion is a common COVID symptom. There are a variety of OTC medications that can help relieve your symptoms.

Research suggests that saline nasal rinses are an effective non-medication option for managing COVID symptoms. Breathing in steam and trying a humidifier are other options. Medication-free options are good choices for young kids that can't take cough and cold products.

OTC medication options for congestion include:

• Oral decongestants such as Sudafed

• Nasal decongestants such as Afrin (oxymetazoline)

• Nasal steroid sprays such as Flonase

• Oral antihistamines such as Allegra (fexofenadine)

• Nasal spray antihistamines such as Astepro (azelastine)

Good to know: Studies show that oral phenylephrine-containing medications aren't effective for treating nasal congestion. For this reason, it's best to stick with the above options for congestion relief.

Cough

Cough is another possible COVID symptom. While a dry cough is more common, some people may experience a wet cough too.

Home remedies - such as a humidifier or honey - can help manage a bothersome cough. There are also a variety of OTC medication options. If you're experiencing a wet cough, you may need an expectorant such as Mucinex. Medications that contain the cough suppressantdextromethorphan can alleviate a dry cough. NyQuil and Delsym are a couple options to calm the tickle in your throat.

Runny nose

Runny nose is a common symptom shared by many respiratory viruses, including COVID. Oral OTC antihistamines, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), can help put a stop to your runny nose. You can also find a variety of OTC nasal sprays at your local pharmacy or supermarket to relieve a runny nose. Flonase and Astepro are a couple of examples.

Sore throat

COVID sore throat can be quite uncomfortable - and even painful.

Warm and cold liquids help set the stage for soothing your sore throat. Lozenges that contain menthol may also provide relief.

OTC pain relievers like Tylenol and Advil (ibuprofen) are go-to OTC medications for soothing a sore throat. However, since ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), it may work better than acetaminophen at relieving throat pain. That's because it lowers inflammation. However, make sure to ask a healthcare professional if NSAIDs are safe for you to take.

Fever

A fever is your body's way of fighting off an infection. Fever is also a common COVID symptom.

Drinking plenty of fluids can help prevent dehydration when you have a fever. OTC fever reducers - like Advil and Tylenol - are handy medications to break a fever. You can even alternate between Advil and Tylenol. This is especially helpful with managing high fevers in kids.

Can I take Tamiflu or Xofluza for COVID?

No, Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil) aren't authorized or approved to treat COVID. The FDA has only approved Tamiflu and Xofluza to treat and prevent the flu. There isn't much data that shows that these flu medications would offer any benefit for people with COVID.

Tamiflu is approved to treat the flu in adults and kids ages 2 weeks and older. It's best to take Tamiflu within 48 hours (2 days) of experiencing symptoms. Tamiflu also prevents the flu in adults and kids age 1 and older after a potential exposure.

Xofluza is approved for flu treatment and prevention in adults and kids ages 5 years and older. Like Tamiflu, Xofluza should be taken within 48 hours of the start of flu symptoms.

Does the flu shot protect you against COVID?

No, flu vaccines won't protect you against COVID. The flu vaccine is effective against influenza A and B viruses. COVID is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is different from the influenza virus. COVID vaccines are the best option to prevent COVID.

Even though the flu vaccine doesn't protect you against COVID, there are still many benefits to getting it. These include preventing you from getting sick with the flu and lowering your risk of being hospitalized.

Getting vaccinated against COVID and flu is a recommended move because it's possible to have both infections at the same time. This can raise your risk of severe symptoms and complications. This is especially true for older adults, pregnant women, and those with certain chronic health conditions.

What COVID treatments are available?

The FDA has authorized and approved several medications to treat COVID. And in addition to COVID vaccines, Pemgarda (pemivibart) is an injectable medication authorized to help prevent it.

Below is a summarized list of what to take for COVID treatment in the U.S. as of September 2024. These are recommendations from the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Paxlovid

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) is an oral antiviral treatment that contains two different medications: nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. It's most effective when it's taken within 5 days of getting symptoms. Paxlovid is FDA approved to treat mild-to-moderate COVID in adults. It's also authorized for kids 12 years and older who weigh at least 88 lbs.

Nirmatrelvir prevents SARS-CoV-2 from making copies of itself in your body. Ritonavir is like a sidekick - it helps prevent the breakdown of nirmatrelvir in the body. This helps improve nirmatrelvir's effectiveness.

Experts recommend Paxlovid as a first-choice treatment option for people who aren't in the hospital and are at high risk for developing severe COVID. It helps lower the risk of hospitalization and death.

Good to know: Paxlovid interacts with a lot of medications. In certain cases, your healthcare professional may recommend pausing one of your medications while you take Paxlovid. In other situations, you may need to take a different COVID treatment than Paxlovid. Your prescriber and pharmacist can check for any interactions before you start Paxlovid.

Veklury

Veklury (remdesivir) is an intravenous (IV) antiviral medication that can treat many kids and adults with COVID. It was the first medication to be fully approved for COVID.

For people who aren't in the hospital, Veklury is a next-choice option after Paxlovid. It's best used when given within 7 days of symptoms appearing. It's infused by a healthcare professional at a clinic or other outpatient setting.

For people in the hospital, it's a go-to treatment option that healthcare professionals tend to prescribe. It can be used with or without supplemental oxygen.

Lagevrio

Lagevrio (molnupiravir) is an oral antiviral pill that should be used within 5 days of developing COVID symptoms. It's an authorized treatment option in adults with mild-to-moderate COVID. But it's generally only recommended if Paxlovid or Veklury aren't available or appropriate options for you.

Olumiant

Olumiant (baricitinib) is FDA approved to treat hospitalized adults with severe COVID. It's an oral medication that controls inflammation by blocking Janus kinase (JAK) proteins. It's typically taken in combination with oxygen and a corticosteroid medication called dexamethasone.

Actemra

Actemra (tocilizumab) and Olumiant have similar uses when it comes to treating COVID. Actemra is an FDA approved add-on treatment option for severe COVID in hospitalized adults. It's typically used alongside oxygen and dexamethasone. Actemra is also authorized for use in kids ages 2 years and older with severe COVID. It's given as an IV infusion in a medical setting.

Kineret

Kineret (anakinra) is authorized to treat COVID pneumonia in adults, and it comes as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection. But experts don't typically recommend Kineret for COVID pneumonia. Available data suggests it doesn't lower the need for mechanical ventilation or prevent death from COVID.

Gohibic

The FDA authorized Gohibic (vilobelimab) in April 2023 for severe COVID. It's a biologic that's given as an IV infusion at a hospital.

However, Gohibic has stricter criteria than many of the other COVID treatments. It must be started within 48 hours (2 days) of receiving mechanical ventilation or artificial life support.