What are some of the main medical treatments for the common cold?

    Written by:
    Nick Milazzo

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Mike Murray, James Gaylor
    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    There are no cures for the common cold, and treatments aim to manage symptoms until the illness resolves naturally. Common treatments include anti-inflammatory medications like NSAIDs or acetaminophen and decongestants such as ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.

    There are no cures for the common cold; treatments are focused on managing symptoms until the cold ultimately resolves on its own. For this purpose, people may use:

    • Anti-inflammatory medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen.[1][2]
    • Decongestants such as ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.[3]