My regular cold remedy is...
Sudafed for nasal/head congestion (Make sure to get Pseudoephedrine, the one that you have to sign for at the pharmacy desk, not the replacement that you pick up off the shelf) or sometimes the Pseudoephedrine/Cetirizine (Zyrtec D) combo if I'm feeling the allergies/runny nose coming on. I get the 12 hour. These are the most important!
Guaifenesin (expectorant)/Dextromethorphan (cough surpresent) combo, usually Mucinex DM.
If my throat is hurting really bad, like REALLY bad like it's splitting open (gross!), I'll alternate ibuprofen and aspirin (take as many as 2 of each per 3-4 hours) + warm tea with honey and lemon (if I can stand it), and gargle with warm salt water as often as possible. Strangely, this actually helps it feel better right away and last for sometimes 30 minutes, as long as you don't rinse or drink anything. It's gross though!
I also take EmergenC a few times a day, starting at the first sign. I used to add a zinc supplement to this but it gave me a stomachache.
This doesn't last long, usually about 2 or 3 days. It's the only thing that gets me through the work day and allows me to sleep at night.