I am from the US. Generally, if you go to the doctor with a cold, they will provide an antibiotic or nothing. Over the counter, we pretty much have Pseudoephedrine , Dextromethorphan, and Guaifenesin which you can find in OTC children’s cold medicine in Japan. When I go to the doctor here, I get a bunch of anti inflammatory, decongestant, cough suppressant etc that I have never seen in the US. And I feel much more functional even if they don’t help you recover quicker.
Does anyone know why there is such a different approach to treating colds in the two countries?