If you take sinus medications and cough syrups they will go away no faster. While the immune system is working its miracles and making you well, it may be important to the sick individual to still go to school or work and some medications make this more pleasant. The most common forms of medications used are various forms of pain relievers, decongestants, antihistamines, and cough syrups that loosen a cough or stop the tickle. Some liquid preparations may contain more than fifteen different chemicals. Decongestants constrict the blood vessels in the lining of the nose and give relief to congestion in the head.
Antihistamines dry the nasal secretions somewhat.
Their use in viral or other infections is controversial. They are intended for use in allergy problems such as hay fever. The common sleeping pills available without prescription are antihistamines. So when you take an antihistamine you are really taking a portion of a sleep aid. The manufacturers add this sleeper to cold medication to keep one from being so nervous from their decongestants.