OTC Drug Chart

otc_drug.md

For cold or flu, take these over the counter drugs on a schedule until feeling better or see a doctor

Take the Mucus relief and a pain reliever of your choice. If things are bad, take both pain relievers for a short time.

Drug	Brand Name	Symptoms	Notes	Schedule
Guaifenesin	Mucinex	Congested, Cold, Allergies	Super effective, need to drink extra water	1 pill 400 mg evry 4 hours

AND

Drug	Brand Name	Symptoms	Notes	Schedule
Ibuprofen	ibuprofen	Pain, fever, everything	Overdose not a good idea, try alternating Tylenol some doses	1 or 2 pills 200-400 mg every 4 hours

OR

Drug	Brand Name	Symptoms	Notes	Schedule
Acetaminophen	Tylenol	Pain, fever, everything	Alternate with ibuprofen or can stack together for a short term boost	1 or 2 pills (500 mg each) every 6 hours, lasts longer than ibuprofen

Add if you still feel head congested or very tired

Drug	Brand Name	Symptoms	Notes	Schedule
Pseudoephedrine	Sudafed	Congested	Stimulant, Addictive, 7 day limit	2 pills (30 mg each) every 4 to 6 hours

Add if you're coughing or lung pain

Drug	Brand Name	Symptoms	Notes	Schedule
Dextromethorphan	Robitussin	Cough	Also helps a little with general pain, addictive, many side effects	5 ml or 10 ml liquid (30 or 60 mg) every 12 hours

Add only if necessary to help sleep

Drug	Brand Name	Symptoms Treated	Notes
Doxylamine succinate	Costco Sleep Aid	Allergies, insonmia	Groggy next day, try 1/2 or less dose, bad for brain health

OR

Drug	Brand Name	Symptoms Treated	Notes
Diphenhydramine	Benadryl	Allergies, insonmia	Fast acting and short lived, addictive, bad for brain health

Add as Optional

Drug	Brand Name	Symptoms Treated	Notes
Caffeine	Caffeine	Tired	Addictive
OTC Allergy	Various	Allergies	Can help you feel better

Not recommended (do not mix with above)

Drug	Brand Name	Symptoms Treated	Notes
Phenylephrine	Sudafed PE	Congested	Doesn't work well
Alcohol	Booze	Everything	Bad idea to mix
PM Drugs	NyQuil	Sleep during cold	Bad idea, use as a last resort
Mixed Drugs	DayQuil, Tylenol Cold, etc	Cold	Mixed drug cocktails don't give you control

Dosage chart

Make a chart and fill in when you take the dose to keep track, check every 2 to 4 hours and look at your last dose to see if you can take another dose per medicine. I like to do this on a 3x5 card and not use a computer.

Example scenario: Coughing at night and trouble sleeping. Swapping the pseudoephedrine for dextromethorphan at night and adding 1/2 a pill of Doxylamine (similar to a NyQuil). In bed before 10:30 PM.

Drug	8 AM	10 AM	12 PM	2 PM	4 PM	6 PM	8 PM	10 PM	12 PM
Ibuprofen	X	---	X	---	X	---	X	---	X
Guaifenesin	X	---	X	---	X	---	X	---	X
Pseudoephedrine	X	---	---	X	---	---	---	---	---
Dextromethorphan	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	X	---
Doxylamine	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	X	---

If symptoms are really bad wake every 2 to 4 hours to continue the schedule during the night.