According to recent statistics, an average person will develop a cold three times in a year. So if you haven’t had a cold in the last four months, it’s very likely that there’s an episode on the way. While it’s nothing major, the common cold can be very limiting. Compromising our most basic senses and bodily functions, attempting to get your daily duties and work responsibilities done with a cold overpowering your system can be a tough challenge.
Luckily, lots of cold medicines have been developed through the years, giving us easy, accessible, and effective remedies to help relieve cold-like symptoms. With so many different types of medications available however, it’s only normal that you might ask – what’s the best cold medicine for adults? Find out how to choose a cold medicine that suits your system by following this guide.
Top 10 Cold Medicines for Adults Chart
| Picture | Name | Delivery Mechanism | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. OHCO Cold Snap 120 Capsules - Ease Cold and Flu Symptons - Herbal Medicine | Capsules | $$$ | 4.8 |
 | 2. Kirkland Signature Day (2x60ct)/Night Time (48ct) Cold Multi-symptom, Rapid Release Gelcaps | Gel capsules | $$$ | 4.8 |
 | 3. Sambucol Cold and Flu Relief Tablets, Black Elderberry, 30 Count | Tablets | $$ | 4.7 |
 | 4. Mucinex Fast-Max Adult Day and Night Caplets, 30 Count | Caplets | $$ | 4.6 |
 | 5. Alka-seltzer Plus Day/Night Cold and Flu Liquid Gels, 40 Count | Gel capsules | $ | 4.6 |
 | 6. Contac Cold+Flu Day/Night Combo, 28 Count | Tablets | $ | 4.6 |
 | 7. Tylenol Cold and Flu Severe Caplets, 24 Count | Caplets | $ | 4.5 |
 | 8. Zicam Cold Remedy Dissolving Tablets Citrus Flavors 45-Count | Dissolving tablets | $$$ | 4.5 |
 | 9. Vicks NyQuil Severe Cold & Flu and DayQuil Severe Cold & Flu Caplets Convenience Pack 48 Count | Caplets | $$ | 4.1 |
 | 10. Sprouts Cold Remedy for Common Cold, Sore Throat, Congestion Get Better in 1 Day | Drops | $$$$ | 4.1 |
Factors to Consider When Buying Adult Cold Medicine
Because not everyone reacts the same way to certain medicine formulations, pharmaceutical companies have developed a wide array of cold medicine options to choose from. First understanding what your body needs and what makes each product unique will help you land the best cold medicine for adults that will provide you real, lasting, and speedy relief.
- Delivery Mechanism. Depending on your preference, you can purchase a cold medicine that comes in the form of a topical cream or ointment, a syrup, lozenge, or a standard pill. There are unique characteristics that differentiate each form from others, and looking deeper into these factors will provide a better understanding of what your body may react best to.
- Pills. Tablets, caplets, capsules, and other solid forms of cold medicines are best if you want a convenient and accessible medication that you can take on the go. Because they’re small and easy to bring around, it’s always trouble-free to get a pill out of your bag and take a dosage while you’re out and about. The only problem with pill is that it takes some time for them to take effect because they need to be digested and metabolized before active ingredients are absorbed.
- Lozenges. This is particularly ideal if your cold shows more symptoms relating to coughs and sore throat. Medicated lozenges have been known to provide relief against congestion and sneezing as well, but because they lose effectiveness when they melt away, it may be necessary to have several pieces in tote.
- Syrups. Much faster acting than pills, syrup cold medicines have the added benefit of being able to soothe raw throat tissues, which is a common symptom that develops alongside a cold. The issue with syrups however is that they can be difficult to use when you’re away from a desk, such as during the commute or when you’re navigating around outdoors.
- Topical Creams and Ointments. The products work by way of a powerful, often menthol scent that’s directed into the nasal cavity and sinus to clear up the airways. The ointment itself also provides a slight burning sensation on the targeted areas such as the chest, which is said to relieve congestion. For some people, it works really well. However, if you’re going to be covered up in clothes and moving around, the topical remedy may not be able to work as well. Often, this requires that you just sit down and allow the scent to take effect, so using it at work may not be the best solution.
- Active Ingredients. Cold medicine is actually a formulation of different ingredients that target each symptom that may be present in your cold. For instance, one formula may focus more on sinus-related symptoms such as sneezing, runny and itchy nose. Others can have ingredients that target lower respiratory tract problems like coughing and congestion.
Depending on what symptoms are present in your cold, it may be important to read the labels and find out what symptoms the active ingredients in your chosen formula are designed to relieve. As much as possible, avoid taking cold medications that have active ingredients that target problems that are not present in your case.
Top 3 Best Cold Medicine for Adults Reviews
1. OHCO Cold Snap Ease Cold and Flu Symptons
According to user reviews, OHCO Cold Snap is the best cold medicine for adults available on the market today. While it is a capsule, it does provide speedy relief against all the symptoms of colds.
While many believe that capsules are probably not the best solution if you’re looking for fast relief against the common cold, the formula used for OHCO Cold Snap proves to be a very effective and fast-acting solution. Able to target all of the symptoms of colds, the capsules are a very easy, accessible, and safe way to achieve relief without the side-effects.
Although they may be a little more expensive than other options, and although it is a natural remedy, they are very effective on a vast majority of users which is why they’ve become a popular product among people seeking the best remedy for colds.
2. Kirkland Signature Rapid Release Gelcaps
Coming in at second place on the list, Kirkland Signature Day and Night Time Cold Multi-Symptom Rapid Release Gelcaps is your standard, easy, and straightforward cold remedy. The day and night time formulations are specifically designed to keep you awake when you should be, and to help you sleep easy through the night.
The main factor that has really won over the hearts of buyers is the fact that Kirkland Signature Day and Night Time Cold Multi-Symptom Rapid Release Gelcaps are very cheap. Each gel cap costs very little, so if you’re looking for the right cold remedy to keep in bulk in preparation for cold and flu season, this product will prove to be a pocket-friendly choice.
3. Sambucol Cold and Flu Relief Tablets
The third highest rated pick for most buyers is Sambucol Cold and Flu Relief Tablets. This all natural remedy provides temporary relief against the most common symptoms of colds, without causing the side-effects that most people would much rather do without.
While Sambucol Cold and Flu Relief Tablets has proven effective for most, there are some people who do not experience any relief with the product. This is a common feature of natural and herbal remedies, so before you keep a stock in your medicine cabinet, be sure to try the product first. Learning how your body reacts to the formula will tell you whether it works well for your system or not.
Read also: 10 Best Cold Medicines for Kids