The reason for these warnings is the stimulant pseudoephedrine, an ingredient in some formulations of Sudafed and many other cold and allergy medicines. Stimulants can be dangerous to people with active hyperthyroidism, as they can add strain to an already taxed heart and high blood pressure found in hyperthyroidism.
What about people with hypothyroidism? Can you take these types of medicines? This is something that needs to be decided, but generally, it is not recommended that people with thyroid problems take any products with pseudoephedrine, or natural ephedra, ingredients that are sometimes found in natural weight loss, energy and cold remedies. There are anecdotal reports of people with thyroid disease becoming extra-sensitive to stimulants like caffeine, pseudoephedrine or ephedra.
As far as over-the-counter medicines, you might want to ask your doctor about using a product like Coricidin HBP, a cold remedy made specially without stimulating ingredients. You can also ask consider trying some of the natural suggestions described later in this article.
Alternatives, Vitamins and Supplements for Cold and Flu?
There are a number of alternative remedies that you can try to help with cold and flu.Noted alternative practitioner Andrew Weil, MD suggests daily doses of vitamin C, garlic, echinacea, and the herb astragalus, to help boost the immune system during flu season.
Italian researchers also found that ginseng, when given throughout the season to people who had flu shots, reduced the cases of flu, and raised the activity rate of immune cells that fight infections.
When you're in the midst of the flu, besides plenty of rest, fluids, and good nutrition, there are some additional alternative medicine approaches that some experts recommend.
The most often recommended treatment is a natural product known as Sambucol, which is an extract of elderberry. Dr. Weil suggests that Sambucol may be similar to the prescription flu medication Relenza. Elderberry apparently works by strengthening the cell membrane so a virus cannot penetrate it. It also appears to inhibit the enzyme that viruses use to weaken the membrane. Sambucol is available in health food stores. About.com's Alternative Medicine site has more information on elderberry.
Other natural remedies for flu include:
- Vitamin C -- Some experts believe that as much as 1 to 6 grams of Vitamin C per day may help reduce the duration of a flu virus. The suggested dosage would be 1000 mg every 2 hours, unless diarrhea or gas occurs.
- Zinc Lozenges -- The over-the-counter zinc lozenges may help reduce the effects of a flu or cold.
- Oscillicoccinum -- This homeopathic treatment may help with flu symptoms, particularly when taken right away after the onset of symptoms.
- Vitamin A -- Some experts recommend 25,000 IU four times daily for at least three but not more than five days -- provided you weigh at least 120 pounds and do not have a liver problem -- during the acute phase of flu or colds.
- Garlic - garlic has natural antibiotic effects, and some experts suggest ten capsules a day of a high allicin content garlic supplement during the first six hours of cold and flu symptoms.
- Echinacea - take the maximum recommended dose when symptoms are acute
- Camu-camu - The Amazonian rainforest fruit, may help combat viruses
