These Are the Best Over the Counter Meds, According to Pharmacists

Have you ever stood in the aisle of the drugstore, head congested beyond belief, trying to figure out which of the 94 cold medicines are going to finally give you some relief? Really, who hasn’t? Fortunately, you don’t need to spend a ton of time scrolling on the internet to figure out which option will best help you through this time of sniffly need.

U.S. News and World Report released its 2025 ranking for the Best Over The Counter Medicine & Health Products, determined by partnering with The Harris Poll to survey 357 pharmacists. That means the following products aren’t just recommended by your local pharmacists, but local pharmacists from just about every single corner of the country. After evaluating over 1,100 different brands, here are the winning products for all your over the counter essentials.

• The best Allergy Medicines, Oral: Zyrtec
• The best Allergy Eye Drops: Pataday
• The best Allergy Nasal Sprays: Flonase
• The best Sunburn Relief: Eucerin
• The best Cough Drops: Halls
• The best Cough Suppressants: Delsym
• The best Daytime Cold and Flu Medicines: Mucinex
• The best Flu Medicines: Theraflu
• The best Nighttime Cold and Flu Medicines: Nyquil Cold & Flu
• The best Migraine and Headache Medicines: Excedrin
• The best Multivitamins for Men: Centrum
• The best Magnesium Supplements: Mag-Ox 400

The report, published today, includes a top product for just about every category you can think of. Want the best Ashwagandha? Those 357 pharmacists recommend Nature Made. Looking for a sleep aid? The experts recommend Unisom. You can check out the complete ranking in the U.S. News site. You can also find intel on the best toothpastes, plus all the top drugstore skincare products.