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Be cautious of these medicines for trigger-free colds

When it comes to colds, listen to Mom.

By Steve Diogo

Let’s take a moment to mourn the loss of NyQuil, that glorious green goo that so often ushered us from the bonds of a vicious cold into the warm arms of Morpheus. With recovery, things have changed for us. At 25 percent alcohol, that old green bottle—along with some other standbys—needs to be evicted from the medicine cabinet.

Many common cold, flu and allergy medications, including antihistamines, decongestants, liquid forms of fever reducer and pain reliever and expectorants, contain alcohol. And even the slightest bit of alcohol can be enough to awaken cravings.

Here’s a partial list of common cold remedies that include alcohol:

• Liquid Theraflu
• Tylenol Cold and Flu
• Anti-Tuss DM Expectorant
• Benedryl
• Benedryl Decongestant
• Cheracol
• Contact Severe Cold
• Dimetapp
• Dristan Cough
• Dristan Ultra
• Formula 44 and Formula 44 D
• Nyquil
• Pertussin
• Robitussin AS
• Robitussin CF
• Robitussin DAC
• Robitussin PE
• Robitussin DM
• Sudafed Cough Syrup
• Cotylenol
• Novahistine Cough
• Novahistine Cough & Cold
• Novahistine DM
• Novahistine DMX
• Triaminic Expectorant
• Vicks Cough
• Wal-Act
• Wal-Phed