Pharmacists Pick Best OTC Cold/Flu Products

Posted by ThirdAge Staff on February 27, 2012 9:35 AM

With cold and flu season still active and allergy season on its way, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) says patients should actively seek their pharmacist's advice about the proper use of medications. Pharmacists are the most accessible health care provider and are available to help the public choose the best over- the-counter (OTC) medication for cold, flu and allergy symptoms.

The listing below highlights the #1 recommended products from the 2011 Pharmacy Today Over-The-Counter Product Survey in the adult allergy, sinus and decongestant product categories.

Adult Antihistamines - Claritin (27% of 3,976 pharmacist recommendations)

Adult Antitussives - Dextromethorphan - Delsym (41% of 2,984 pharmacist recommendations)

Adult Cold-Liquid Products - Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom (22% of 2,529 pharmacist recommendations)

Adult Decongestants - Sudafed (58% of 1,932 pharmacist recommendations)

Adult Expectorants - Mucinex/Mucinex D/Mucinex DM (70% of 1,645 pharmacist recommendations)

Adult Multisymptom Allergy and Hay Fever Products - Claritin-D (33% of 2,307 pharmacist recommendations)

Adult Multisymptom Cold or Flu Products - Mucinex D (30% of 2,177 pharmacist recommendations)

Adult Multisymptom Cold or Flu Products-Nighttime - NyQuil (30% of 1,234 pharmacist recommendations)

Adult Topical Decongestants - Afrin (64% of 1,372 pharmacist recommendations) The survey was conducted in September 2011 and published in the February 2012 edition of Pharmacy Today. It was completed by over 1,400 practicing community pharmacists who are recipients of Pharmacy Today. The annual survey tracks the OTC products that pharmacists are recommending to their patients as well as the interactions they are having with those patients. With more than 100,000 nonprescription medications on the market and more than 1,000 active ingredients, it's critical that patients consult their pharmacist to maximize the benefits from medications and minimize the potential for harmful drug interaction and/or side effects. Being a #1 recommended product in the Pharmacy Today OTC Product Survey does not indicate Pharmacy Today or APhA endorsement of any product or service.