9 Cold Medicines That'll Make You Feel Less Miserable

Americans spend $8 billion a year on over-the-counter cough and cold products. Considering the fact that a drugstore is likely to have upwards of 300 different types of cold medicine, we want to help separate the best from the rest, so you can get better. Plus, since most of our picks are available for purchase online, you don't even have to leave your bed!

If you want to save a couple bucks, don't be afraid to shop for generic products, either. Studies show that pharmacists themselves opt for generic options. The generic over-the-counter medication is required by law to be "bioequivalent" to their name-brand counterparts - meaning they have the same quality and strength, and are just as safe to take, since they meet the same FDA standards. Our picks are listed as the name-brand version because they typically are in stock online and are easier to find in drugstores.

It's also worth mentioning that several of our picks have acetaminophen as an active ingredient. The drug causes more cases of acute liver injury than any other in the United States, probably because it is embedded in so many products and is easy for exhausted, sickly people to double-up on. The National Institutes of Health recommends 660 to 1,000 milligrams every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 3 grams per day. Drinking alcoholic beverages should also be avoided when taking these medications. You only have one liver - take care of it and keep tabs on when and how much acetaminophen you're taking.

We spent several hours researching cold medicines, reading studies about the drugs, comparing their active ingredients, and getting the scoop from doctors to figure out what pills they have in their medicine cabinets at home. So, shop our picks below, read our sister site's alternative remedies, pick up some tissues, and get well soon!