Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs of some benefit for the common cold

January 01, 0001

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs of some benefit for the common cold

Clinical Question:How effective are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the common cold?

Bottom line: In a pooled analysis, compared to placebo, NSAIDs did not significantly reduce the total symptom score or duration of colds. However, for outcomes related to the analgesic effects of NSAIDs (headache, ear pain, and muscle and joint pain) NSAIDs produced significant benefits, as well as a borderline benefit for malaise, but throat irritation was not improved. NSAIDs showed mixed results for chills. For respiratory symptoms, cough and nasal discharge scores were not improved, but the sneezing score was significantly improved. There was no evidence of increased frequency of adverse effects in the NSAID treatment groups.

Caveat: The overall quality of studies was mixed, largely due to missing information regarding randomisation procedures. Only 2 studies were assessed as being of high quality.

Context: The overall quality of studies was mixed, largely due to missing information regarding randomisation procedures. Only 2 studies were assessed as being of high quality.

Cochrane Systematic Review: Kim SY et al. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the common cold. Cochrane Reviews 2009, Issue 3. Article No. CD006362. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006362.pub2. This review contains 9 studies involving 1064 participants.

Cochrane PEARLS Practical Evidence About Real Life Situations. No. 201, October 2009.
Written by Brian R McAvoy. Published by the Cochrane Primary Care Group

Category: R. Respiratory. Keywords: upper respiratory infection, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs
Synopsis edited by Dr Linda French, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 9 March 2010

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Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.