What medicine should be taken for a cold caused by exposure to cold?

Dec 12, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ren Yi
Introduction
In general, colds caused by exposure to cold are mostly due to viral infections, with common symptoms including nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, fever, etc. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as acetaminophen tablets, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride sustained-release capsules, chlorpheniramine maleate tablets, Lianhua Qingwen capsules, and oseltamivir phosphate granules for treatment. A detailed analysis is as follows:

Cold due to exposure to cold is usually caused by viral infection, with common symptoms including nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, fever, etc. Patients may take medications such as acetaminophen tablets, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride sustained-release capsules, chlorpheniramine maleate tablets, Lianhua Qingwen capsules, and oseltamivir phosphate granules under medical guidance. Specific analysis is as follows:

1. Acetaminophen Tablets

Acetaminophen is a commonly used antipyretic and analgesic that reduces inflammation and pain perception by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis in the central nervous system. It also acts on the body's temperature regulation center to lower body temperature in febrile patients. It is suitable for treating fever, headache, and muscle aches caused by colds due to cold exposure.

2. Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride Sustained-Release Capsules

Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride is a decongestant that selectively constricts blood vessels in the upper respiratory tract mucosa, reducing nasal mucosal congestion and swelling. It effectively relieves nasal congestion caused by colds due to cold exposure, with minimal impact on systemic blood vessels and relatively mild adverse reactions.

3. Chlorpheniramine Maleate Tablets

Chlorpheniramine maleate is an antihistamine that blocks histamine from binding to its receptors, inhibits small blood vessel dilation, reduces exudation, and alleviates symptoms such as sneezing and watery rhinorrhea caused by colds due to cold exposure. It is often used in combination with antipyretic-analgesic drugs.

4. Lianhua Qingwen Capsules

Lianhua Qingwen capsule is a traditional Chinese medicine containing ingredients like forsythia and honeysuckle. It has the effects of clearing away epidemic toxins, relieving lung heat, inhibiting viral replication, and reducing inflammatory responses. It is suitable for colds due to cold exposure characterized by lung invasion of heat-toxin, helping relieve symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and cough.

5. Oseltamivir Phosphate Granules

Oseltamivir phosphate is an antiviral drug that inhibits the neuraminidase activity of influenza viruses, preventing the release of viruses from infected cells and thereby reducing viral spread. It is effective against colds caused by type A and type B influenza viruses, with optimal efficacy when administered within 48 hours of symptom onset.

In daily life, it is important to stay warm and avoid re-exposure to cold, drink plenty of warm water to promote metabolism, maintain a light and easily digestible diet, and avoid spicy and greasy foods to support recovery.