Published on
Updated
Reading 2 mins.
in collaboration with
Dr. Yves Dour (Doctor in Pharmacy)
Medical validation:
December 20, 2022
Dolirhume, Actifed or Humex… There are many anti-cold and flu medicines that populate our cupboards. However, some are contraindicated according to Dr. Dour, doctor of pharmacy.
Between colds, the Covid and the flu, the medicine cabinet is often in demand during the winter period. But beware, some drugs supposed to decongest the nose should be avoided.
Some drugs have more harms than benefits
According to the review Prescribeseveral over-the-counter medicines for the flu or colds are harmful to your health.
Indeed, some would contain pseudo-ephedrine (a substance which allows to “unclog” the nose) and could cause serious consequences, sometimes fatal: cerebral vascular accidents, heart rhythm disorders (including atrial fibrillation), digestive or neurological disorders … and this, whatever the duration of the intake or the dose ingested.
Although these complications remain “rare” according to the Medicines Agency (ANSM), they are nevertheless to be taken seriously because Dolirhume, Actifed, Nurofen Cold or Humex continue to be widely consumed.
“These drugs are dangerous in the long term, locally or systemically. Clearly, any substance that is vasoconstrictor is contraindicated in the long run, especially in people with hypertension“, specifies Dr. Yves Dour.
Anti-cold and flu drugs: what to replace them with?
Even before running to the pharmacy, certain simple gestures can already relieve the symptoms, such as: washing your nose with physiological saline or seawater sprays, hydrating yourself sufficiently, stopping smoking, taking vitamins (vitamin C is present in many citrus fruits in particular), sleep with your head elevated and ventilate your interior by avoiding air conditioning (which dries out the air and the nasal mucous membranes).
Dr. Dour recommends for his part “to opt for natural solutions, such as using half-homeopathic, half-allopathic or phytotherapeutic products (plants and essential oils), except for asthmatics or pregnant women, for whom certain plants are contraindicated“.
Other solution “in case of common cold, the use of a saline solution is highly recommended. If the nose is blocked, it must ideally be hypertonic (salt concentration higher than that of the cells of our body).”