Ever got sick in China and don't know what medicine to buy?
During flu season I received lots of questions asking about the Chinese equivalent of Western medicine, so I decided to make a list of the common Western medicine and its equivalent brands in China.
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How to use this list?
This list is focused on the key ingredient for common cold medicine, followed by brands you know from US, and compared with what you can find over the counter in China.
Definition of Common Cold Symptoms
Let’s take a look at what are the common cold symptoms before we start on the drugs.
Congestion
Sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, or a "full" feeling in the head.
Headache
Congestion puts pressure on the sinus area causing your head to hurt.
Watery Eyes
Eyes could be runny, or have tears more than usual.
Itching in Nose, Throat or Eyes
Feeling like you need to scratch inside your nose,throat and eyes.
Feeling Tired
Lack of energy, not sleeping enough.
Fever
Fever is rare in adults, but may be more common in children. If your fever goes above 38.5℃, it is probably more than a cold and you should contact your doctor.
Cough
Could be dry or productive cough. If coughing up green or yellow mucous and painful while coughing, you should contact your doctor; this could be a more serious condition.
Paracetamol
Key Ingredient
Acetaminophen (aka Paracetamol) 对乙酰氨基酚
Acetaminophen is in an analgesics (pain relievers) and antipyretics (fever reducers). It works by changing the way the body senses pain and by cooling the body.
Symptoms
Fever, mild to moderate headaches, muscle aches, colds and sore throats.
OTC brands in US
Tylenol, Acephen, Actamin, Feverall, Mapap, Q-Pap, Tactinal, Tempra, Uniserts, Vitapap
OTC brands in France
Doliprane
OTC brands in China
对乙酰氨基酚片(Paracetamol);百服咛(Bufferin);泰诺(Tylenol);泰诺林;必理通;散利痛 (Saridon)
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IMPORTANT WARNING:
Taking too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage, sometimes serious enough to require liver transplantation or cause death. You might accidentally take too much acetaminophen if you do not follow the directions on the prescription or package label carefully, or if you take more than one product that contains acetaminophen.
Loratadine
Key Ingredient
Loratadine 氯雷他定
Loratadine is an antihistamine. It works by blocking a substance in the body called histamine. This helps to decrease allergy symptoms.
Symptoms
Sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes
OTC brands in US
Alavert, Claritin, Claritin Reditab, Clear-Atadine, Dimetapp ND, Relief, QlearQuil All Day & Night, Tavist ND, Wal-itin
OTC brands in China
开瑞坦(Clarityne);氯雷他定片
![](https://mmbiz.qlogo.cn/mmbiz/S6otuVkynHHrUbVol9yKjDPdxUFXZI5f9LzzTDGEWrNrMMWW2n1WCVibN6QG80U46VAtrZrib4QibB0omONA0tUKA/0?wx_fmt=jpeg)
Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
Key Ingredient
Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride 盐酸伪麻黄碱
Pseudoephedrineis often used as a decongestant to shrink swollen nasal mucous membranes; reduces tissue hyperemia, edema, and nasal congestion; and increases nasal airway patency.
Symptoms
Stuffy nose and sinuses
OCT brands in US
Sudafed, SudoGest, Wal-Phed, Suphedrine
OTC brands in China
康利诺;彼诺;服克 (All 3 medication also contain acetaminophen, which treats fever and nasal conditions at the same time)
![](https://mmbiz.qlogo.cn/mmbiz/S6otuVkynHHrUbVol9yKjDPdxUFXZI5fVPz9ZQ4CVXUoSibLjF3Z92CbCPuAocVmdgl6cGVdqVte2HdL9pS29Uw/0?wx_fmt=jpeg)
Dextromethorphan HBr
Key Ingredient
Dextromethorphan HBr 氢溴酸右美沙芬
This medicine is a cough suppressant.
Symptoms
Dry cough
OTC brands in US
Triaminic Cold and Cough, Robitussin Cough, Vicks 44 Cough and Cold
OTC brands in China
氢溴酸右美沙芬; 美沙芬;普西兰;芬克斯
![](https://mmbiz.qlogo.cn/mmbiz/S6otuVkynHHrUbVol9yKjDPdxUFXZI5fuxkTtVMQ9WhMuxc5nasbP5VtSPqPiayTFUme8sgjG0NbR9qy3ibOIvhg/0?wx_fmt=jpeg)
Guaifenesin
Key Ingredient
Guaifenesin 愈创甘油醚
Guaifenesin is an expectorant that loosens mucus in your lungs.
Symptoms
Congestion in chest and troat, coughing white mucus.
OCT brands in US
Mucinex, Robitussin Chest Congestion Mucinex, Robitussin, Q-Tussin, Liqufruta, QTussin, MucaPlex, Guiatuss, Bronchoril
OCT brands in CN
可坦(愈美片);艾舒
![](https://mmbiz.qlogo.cn/mmbiz/S6otuVkynHHrUbVol9yKjDPdxUFXZI5fUPmU7dZttUbIzCVd6jT9XW8nZ4gl0WCEsTN0w4wHfibg30qQIpW53qg/0?wx_fmt=jpeg)
Note
Dextromethorphan and guaifenesin are sometimes combined with each other, 华芬(愈美颗粒). They are also available in combination with other medicines, such as pain relievers, decongestants, or antihistamines. These combination products (such as multi-symptom cold medicines) are meant to treat many symptoms at the same time, for example白加黑, 泰诺. However, if your main symptom is cough, be careful of the drying effect of antihistamines and decongestants in combination medicines. This effect can make mucus thicker and harder to clear from the airways, which can make you cough even worse.
CONCLUSION
I hope this list can be a simple guide for you while choosing OCT medications in China. There are countless different kinds of multi-symptom cold medicines, as long as you see the mixed and match ingredients, you’ll know what they are meant to treat.
Remember, always be aware of the contraindications and side effects while taking these medications. Going to a doctor is always the best thing to do if you are feeling ill.
Source: DocSays
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