How Do Analgesic Antitussive Decongestant Expectorant Combos Work?

Analgesic/antitussive/decongestant/expectorant combos are over-the-counter medicines used for relieving congestion, cough, cold, and flu symptoms.

Analgesics block pain signal generation and generation of prostaglandins from the central nervous system released during fever, inflammation, or pain. Thus, blocking the generation of prostaglandins helps in reducing pain, inflammation, or fever.

Although the exact mechanism of action of antitussives (cough suppressants) is not known; they suppress coughing by inhibiting a coordinating region for coughing located in the brain stem.

Decongestants work in the following ways:

• Relieve irritation of the upper respiratory tract infection
• Reduce swelling of the inner lining of the nose
• Relieve nasal congestion
• Shrink blood vessels in the nasal passage to relieve nasal congestion

Expectorants help thin the mucus and loosen the congestion in the chest and throat, making it easier to cough up the mucus.

Analgesic/antitussive/decongestant/expectorant combos are over-the-counter medicines used for relieving congestion, cough, cold, and flu symptoms.

Analgesic/antitussive/decongestant/expectorant combos can cause the following side effects:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Excitability
• Headache
• Restlessness
• Tremors
• Skin rash
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Arrhythmia
• Palpitations
• Convulsions
• Weakness
• Gastrointestinal disturbances

The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Generic and brand names of analgesic/antitussive/decongestant/expectorant combos include:

• Acetaminophen/dextromethorphan/phenylephrine/guaifenesin
• Acetaminophen/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine/guaifenesin
• Children's Mucinex Cold, Cough & Sore Throat
• Children's Mucinex Multi-Symptom Cold & Fever
• Delsym Cough + Cold Daytime
• Mucinex Fast-Max Cold, Flu & Sore Throat
• Sudafed PE Cold & Cough
• Tylenol Cold & Flu Severe
• Tylenol Cold Head Congestion Severe
• Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom Severe
• Tylenol Cold Severe Congestion