Cold remedies that don't work

The list of cold remedies that don't give relief is long. Some of the more common ones include:

Medicines called antibiotics

These attack germs called bacteria. But they're no help against cold viruses. Don't ask your healthcare professional for antibiotics for a cold or use old antibiotics you have. You won't get well faster. And using antibiotics when you don't need them adds to the serious and growing problem of germs that can resist antibiotics.

Cold and cough medicines in young children

Cold and cough medicine you can get without a prescription can harm children. Do not give any cough and cold medicines to children under age 4 years.

Talk with your child's healthcare professional before giving any medicines to children ages 4 to 6 years. Know that these medicines may not help much and may have side effects.