Saving Money on Cold Medicine

Tips for Saving Money on Cold and Cough Medicine as suggested by the ThriftyFun community.

Use a Saline Solution

Rinsing your sinuses with a saline solution (salt and water) is a frugal cold solution. Find directions by typing in Neti pot on Google.

By Kladybug

Cold Medicine Doesn't Work

There's been studies done that cold medicine doesn't even work - so the above post is a good one - I personally think.

By Mariebal

Don't Take More Than You Need

Save money, and be good to your body by only using what you need. Most cold medicines contain: an ingredient for the pain and fever, a decongestant, an antihistamine, and often an expectorant and/or a cough suppressant. Whew, that's a lot of drugs if all you have are the sniffles! Tackle the symptoms you have with medications you know work for you.

Also bear in mind, that fever and coughing serve a purpose, you don't necessarily want to suppress them unless the fever is over 100 (degrees F) or the coughing is painful or keeping you up at night. Ask your doctor if you're unsure.

For pain and fever: you probably already have aspirin, acetominophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), or naproxen sodium (Aleve) already.

Look for single-ingredient (generic) medications for the antihistamine, decongestant, expectorant, and cough suppressant. If you need help, the pharmacist can easily help you find the best choice for you. And don't forget to read the precautions on the backs of the boxes! Medications can affect blood pressure, and other medications you take. Again, ask the pharmacist if you have question. They don't only deal in prescription medications.

Definitely look into a neti pot! If bending over the sink doesn't work for you; you can use the same salt water solution in a bulb aspirator (like those used to suction baby's nose).

And remember that nothing will cure the cold, or the flu, except time. But you can get relief from some of the most troublesome symptoms.

Don't forget your flu shot, either! The cost of it is worth it!

By Jilson

Dealing With a Cold

A cold is 3 days coming, 3 days with you and 3 days leaving and there's not much you can do to change that.

My daddy's remedy was 1/2 cup lemon juice with 3 tsp. sugar and a cup of hot water. Drink hot lemonade to soothe your throat. I have knocked out a cold with this when I first felt the scratchy throat.

Recently, I purchased a nasal rinse kit by Ayr from our local drug store. It has cleared up a sinus infection that I have been battling with for over a year. This kit is great and I highly recommend it for a daily sinus wash whether you need it or not.

Build Up Your Immune System

Eat right and build your immune system so you don't get sick. Medicines don't "heal" colds they just cover up the symptoms. Those symptoms are your body trying to rid itself of the problem, so it doesn't really make sense to try to stop that. Just rest and eat light and healthy and take echinacea to build up your immune system.

By Erica

Make Your Own Cold Medicine

I used to make up my own cold medicine for the children when they got colds and sore throats. It consisted of just white vinegar, honey and hot water. A little white vinegar in the bottom of a cup, enough honey to sweeten, then fill with hot water and sip. It has a pleasant taste, and my children all took it without a qualm. In fact, one of my sons, now an adult with children of his own rang me from interstate to ask for the recipe for my homemade cough brew, as he had a cold, and remembered it helping when he was small.

By Ellie

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By Victoria (Guest Post) 10/10/2008

I swear by Airborne (or generic equivalents such as Walgreen's Walborne). It is a natural supplement. I used to have to see a doctor twice every winter for antibiotics but, after discovering Airborne, I have not had to see a doctor at all. If I get cold or flu symptoms, I usually drink 2 to 3 Airborne supplements per day and my symptoms usually subside within a day or two of starting. If I feel achy or have a headache, I take non-aspirin with that. I always felt that cold medicines just "masked" the symptoms and never made the symptoms go away.

By Barbara J S (Guest Post) 10/04/2008

First of all only take what you have if you just got a cold find get medicine for just a cold and if you have other health problems make sure you talk to the pharmacy. person to see if you can take it. Second tylenol pm gives me night mares also watch your place if you have the cheap tussin. I just read an article that kids try to get high with that stuff to me it makes my head fuzzy and can't stand it.

Just get a lot of rest drink orange juice when you can. Try to deal with it. I am trying to get over mine so I know how horrible they can be. Keep well and safe .

By (Guest Post) 10/04/2008

I need to correct the above posting by me "Dealing with a cold". Correct the one half cup lemon juice to one fourth cup lemon juice in a cup of hot water. If you tried one half cup and went crosseyed, I'm sorry.

By eviesav (Guest Post) 10/04/2008

As soon as I get a sore throat, I suck on a Cold-eze lozenge ( 4 a day) also take a Tylenol PM to get a good night's sleep. It always works for stopping the sore throat.

By Laurie (Guest Post) 10/03/2008

We use oregano oil to stave off colds, flu and winter distress. Oregano oil is antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, anti-venom and has antiparasitic qualities. It comes in various forms and has never failed us. Available in many forms-so easy to take. The brand we swear by is North American Herb and Spice. You can Google oregano oil and get loads of information on how this can help in so many ways.

By 10/03/2008

My mother would whip up a sore throat beverage for me when I'd come down with something and the limited OTC supply wasn't helping. It's what her mother would have done back in the 1920's. It's not healthy, but I was just a little kid and managed to make it thus far in spite of the fat gram overload. Take 1 cup of milk (it was whole milk in those days), warm gently on the stove, add a pat of butter. When the butter just coats the top of the milk, quickly pour in a mug and serve with instructions to "Sip gently". Well, it worked, but the minute I'd take a sip of water, the coating would break up and the sore throat would come back. There's a limit to how much of this stuff a human could safely drink in 1 night!

By Penny C (Guest Post) 10/03/2008

Suppressing a cough can be a good thing. Fever has nothing to do with it. If you are coughing often it tires you out and you get a weak cough that only exhausts your system. A cough suppressant with an expectorant is what you want. If you take anything, it will loosen up the phlegm and slow down the coughing. The result is a cough now and then that brings up the phlegm. Lots of fluids and humidity keeps the phlegm thin and easier to move. P'