Can people with sickle cell safely take cold medicine?

Meds not needed: Cold medicines are not needed. The duration of the cold is not reduced and side effects are possible from sedatin to heart stimulation. General care with nasal saline and herbal tea with buckwheat honey will help the symptoms. Some evidence is availabel for the use of Vicks vaporub in kids with lessening cold symptoms.

Maybe: If there are no other contraindications, then cold medicines should be ok. However - cold medications that incude acetaminophen/ ibuprophen will mask any fever and thus may hide a serious infection. Therefore, we sometimes ask families to not give these anti-fever medications if we are concerned about a serious infection.