Over the counter cold and flu medicines are those medicines which do not need any prescription from the doctor and are sold directly to the consumer. These cold and flu medicines contain ingredients which are effective and safe to use even without a physician’s care.  OTC drugs should be considered as ingredients in treating cold and flu but not as a final product. These medicines for cold and flu are easily available at various drugs store and one can take them as per their needs and requirement. Though there is no prescription required for these OTC medicines but one should always be cautious while selecting them so that they do not pose an adverse side effects. While selecting over the counter medicines for cold and flu one should always have proper knowledge about its ingredients, directions of use, warnings if any, uses of medicines, inactive ingredients and any other information related to it. If taken in correct manner these medicines can definitely bring relief but if they are taken in a wrong way then they can also make you feel worse. Wide range of OTC medicines is available in the market which helps you to give relief from various symptoms of cold and cough.