These nose drops don't contain medicine, like decongestant nose drops do. Saline nose drops are like salt water and simply help moisten the tender skin in your nose. In fact, some of the side effects from the medicine could make you feel worse. Medicine can, however, help relieve some of your cold or flu symptoms. Check with your doctor before giving any medicine to children.
Many cold products contain more than one medicine.
See page two for a guide to the common ingredients in cold products. Products designed to treat more than one symptom may not be needed if you don't have all of those symptoms. Read labels carefully. Choose products that treat only the symptoms you have. Antibiotics don't work against viruses.