{"id":55455,"date":"2022-11-30T09:30:30","date_gmt":"2022-11-30T14:30:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=55455"},"modified":"2025-11-04T11:53:35","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T16:53:35","slug":"preparing-for-cold-and-flu-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/preparing-for-cold-and-flu-season\/","title":{"rendered":"13 pharmacy items to buy this cold and flu season"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s nothing worse than waking up and feeling sick in the middle of the night to discover there\u2019s nothing in the house to ease your symptoms. Experts say it\u2019s especially important to be prepared and have a well-stocked medicine cabinet with the flu, respiratory s<\/span>yncytial virus (RSV), and new variants of COVID-19 potentially hitting at the same time. Here are tips from healthcare providers and pharmacists urge to stay prepared for cold and flu season. <\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>What you need to know about the amoxicillin shortage<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

13 medicine cabinet essentials to buy this winter<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cJust this week I restocked my medicine cabinet for winter sicknesses,\u201d says <\/span>Carrie Kreps, Pharm.D.<\/span>, a consultant pharmacist in Birmingham, Alabama. \u201cI\u2019m a fan of single-ingredient products instead of multi-symptom, multi-ingredient medication products because if you aren\u2019t careful, you can easily overmedicate and duplicate treatments by accident.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ready to stock your own medicine cabinet in preparation for this winter? Purchase the following:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Cough syrup\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Guaifenesin cough syrup helps thin mucus that comes along with COVID, seasonal colds, or the flu. Commonly known by the brand names Mucinex or Robitussin, Dr. Kreps<\/a> says she always has guaifenesin on hand to keep chest congestion to a minimum. Guaifenesin syrup helps thin mucus so when you cough you can expel mucus. It can also help decrease a nagging nighttime cough so you get the sleep you need and you feel better.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, \u201cOTC cold medicines with decongestants are generally not recommended for children,\u201d says <\/span>Janet O’Mahony, MD<\/span><\/a>, an internist with Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. Be careful of combination products. \u201cYou can give <\/span>Mucinex DM<\/span><\/a> for cough in adults and children over 12,\u201d she explains. Read the labels for appropriate age and dosing of each medication.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Guaifenesin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

2. Pain reliever and fever reducer\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) are the best medications to decrease fevers and body aches, according to Dr. Kreps. When choosing a fever medication for your child, just keep <\/span>these considerations<\/span><\/a> in mind.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you choose acetaminophen or ibuprofen is a personal preference, but since acetaminophen is also contained in many cough and cold medicines, check with your provider or pharmacist before taking these products at the same time to ensure you don\u2019t exceed the recommended dosage. Read the labels on each medication you take. If it is a combination product, it will often contain acetaminophen. For adults with good kidney and liver functioning, the maximum suggested dose of acetaminophen daily is 3000 mg and for ibuprofen it is 2400 mg.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Acetaminophen coupons<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Ibuprofen coupons<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

3. Throat lozenges<\/span><\/h3>\n

Having an itchy, scratchy, sore throat as the result of a cold or the flu isn\u2019t fun, but there are ways to soothe the pain. Gargling with saltwater is a good start. Throat lozenges can also help. Sore throat lozenges are okay for older children and adults to use, says Dr. O\u2019Mahoney. Do not put throat lozenges in your mouth at bedtime. If you fall asleep with it before it dissolves, you can aspirate it into your lungs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Throat lozenge coupons<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

4. Antihistamines\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cIn my home, we keep antihistamines such as Zyrtec (cetirizine) around to help with sneezing and drainage during cold and flu season,\u201d Dr. Kreps says. While histamine isn\u2019t the major cause of congestion when you have a cold, taking these medications can help reduce the nasal swelling that makes you feel all stuffed up. \u201cClaritin and Zyrtec are okay in adults and children over 12 years old, \u201d Dr. O’Mahony says. For younger children, talk to a pediatrician and look for a kid-specific formulation. Antihistamines work best when they are taken daily for 5 days or more, so if you routinely have a stuffy nose the same time every year, consider preemptively taking this medication to help decrease your symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Claritin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Zyrtec coupons<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

5. Nasal spray<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cFor someone who feels like their ears are experiencing a lot of congestion pressure, a nasal steroid spray can be really helpful,\u201d Dr. Kreps says. \u201cUsing this nasal spray in the nasal passages helps to decrease inflammation and swelling in both the nasal passages and in the nearby ear canal and eustachian tubes.\u201d If sinus and ear problems are common in your household, consider keeping a bottle of Nasonex or Flonase on hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Flonase coupons<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

6. Nasal irrigation kits<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201dEvery member of my family has a nasal irrigation kit,\u201d Dr. Kreps says. Using a nasal irrigation kit thins thick mucus and often relieves nasal symptoms associated with colds and flu. \u201cOne of my favorite ways to speed up getting rid of nasal and sinus congestion and pressure is by irrigating my sinuses two to three times a day,\u201d explains Dr. Kreps. \u201cThis is a non-drug therapy that everyone above age 5 can benefit from. I really like the NeilMed Sinus rinse squeeze bottle kit with saline packets, but there are also excellent neti pot kits.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sinus rinse kit coupons<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

7. Nausea and diarrhea medication<\/span><\/h3>\n

In the event someone in your family gets a case of gastroenteritis, Pepto Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) is a good OTC medicine to decrease nausea, upset stomach, and diarrhea. Imodium<\/span> (loperamide) helps with loose stools as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pepto Bismol coupons<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Imodium coupons<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

8. Immune system boosters\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Dr. Kreps says both vitamin C and elderberry gummies help stimulate the immune system. While vitamin C might not prevent you from getting sick, it can shorten the duration of your cold and reduce the severity of your symptoms. Another bonus, since vitamin C is also an antioxidant, it helps to reduce swollen sinuses. Elderberry is also known for easing cold and flu symptoms. <\/span>You can also consider taking a vitamin D supplement if your levels are low. One <\/span>recent study<\/span><\/a> found vitamin D can help protect against COVID-19 and the flu.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vitamin C coupons<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Elderberry coupons<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Vitamin D coupons<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

9. Masks<\/span><\/h3>\n

Masks became commonplace to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Understandably, they also decrease<\/span> transmission of other viral illnesses<\/span><\/a>\u2014even within your home. \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ll ever go without a supply of simple surgical masks to use around the house when one of my family members is sick,\u201d Dr. Kreps says. \u201cWearing a mask and keeping <\/span>hands and surfaces clean and sanitized<\/span><\/a> prevents sharing colds and the flu with the rest of my household.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>How to prepare for flu season<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

10. Thermometers<\/span><\/h3>\n

Even if you feel warm to the touch, a thermometer is the only way to confirm <\/span>you have a fever<\/span><\/a>. The CDC classifies a temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher as a fever. While there\u2019s a wide variety of thermometers on the market for home use, Dr. Kreps says the best thermometers are the ones you intuitively know how to use without consulting an owner\u2019s manual.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDigital oral thermometers with a single button on them are my favorite,\u201d Dr. Kreps says. \u201cThey\u2019re accurate, quick, and inexpensive. If you have a small child or a family member with special needs, a no-touch forehead digital infrared thermometer is a wonderful option.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. O\u2019Mahony agrees that digital oral thermometers are the most accurate option. \u201cThe ear thermometers aren\u2019t accurate enough and the older glass thermometers are too dangerous to have around the house,\u201d she says. For infants, the best way to take their temperature if you are concerned about a fever is the rectal thermometer. Infants tolerate having a rectal temperature taken.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thermometer coupons<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

11. Hydration aids<\/span><\/h3>\n

When you\u2019re sick, it\u2019s important to drink adequate fluids and to stay hydrated. Your body loses fluids through sweating, diarrhea, and vomiting. Ensuring that you receive enough liquids helps your white blood cells to better fight off illness. \u201cA person who is well-hydrated can heal much faster and get back to normal activities with minimal downtime,\u201d Dr. Kreps says. \u201cDehydration really slows down and can complicate upper respiratory infections.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, Dr. Kreps says good hydration keeps mucus and phlegm thinner and makes you less prone to a secondary infection. Staying adequately hydrated also increases the effectiveness of any cold and flu medications you take.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cBe sure to have popsicles, soups, electrolyte sports drinks, flavored waters, tea, even coffee, and the occasional soda on hand,\u201d Dr. Kreps says. \u201cThe key is to focus on translucent, water-based, non-dairy fluids as much as possible.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Dr. Mahony recommends Pedialyte popsicles if you have little ones who are refusing to drink anything else. \u201cWarm liquids are particularly good for sore throats and for thinning mucus and phlegm and also help you stay hydrated if you\u2019re fighting cold and flu symptoms,\u201d she adds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pedialyte coupons<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

12. Humidifier<\/span><\/h3>\n

Dr. Kreps recommends hydrating the air you breathe in your home with a humidifier to help with dry sinuses and ease symptoms of colds and flu. Dr. O\u2019Mahony adds that cool mist vaporizers may help with congestion for the younger age groups. Read your humdifier\u2019s manual and clean it at the frequency and with the appropriate cleaners so that the humidifier does not grow and spew mold into your home.<\/span><\/p>\n

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