Over-the-counter cough medicines
- Cough suppressants. Cough suppressants (antitussives), like dextromethorphan (Robitussin, Delsym ), help by controlling...
- Antihistamines. Antihistamines, like chlorpheniramine and clemastine, and decongestants, like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed),...
- Combinations. You can also find combination products that contain several different cough...
What is the best homemade cough medicine?
Best Homemade Cough Syrup Recipes
- Sore Throat
- Ginger. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is one of the best natural herbs that is always present in my pantry, and it’s all for good reasons.
- Cough. There are many different types of cough from dry to wet, from croup to paroxysmal, amongst others. ...
- Onion Cough Syrup. Peel your onion. ...
- Apple Cider Vinegar With Cayenne. ...
- Honey and Thyme. ...
- Whooping Cough. ...
What is the best OTC for a cough?
- Drink plenty of liquids, including chicken soup. It can make you feel better.
- To relieve a sore throat, gargle with warm salt water, use throat sprays, and suck on ice or lozenges.
- Try a saltwater nasal rinse. ...
- Use petroleum jelly on your nose if it’s irritated from constant blowing. ...
- Use a humidifier to help break up phlegm.
What is the best medicine to stop coughing?
You may get relief from cough by following these tips:
- Take plenty of fluids including water, homemade vegetable and fruit juices, electrolyte solutions, warm soups, and broths.
- Take enough rest.
- Run a humidifier in your room.
- Try steam inhalation.
- If you have a stuffy nose, saline nasal drops may help relieve it.
- Completely avoid smoking, including second-hand smoke.
Why not to supress a cough?
If you have a productive cough, try the following self-help measures:
- drink plenty of fluids, which can help thin the mucus and make it easier to cough up;
- take a hot, steamy shower to help break down the mucus (phlegm) and make it easier to cough up; and.
- get plenty of rest.
Drugs used to treat Cough
The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this condition.
Alternative treatments for Cough
The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Cough. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Cough.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
What is the drug class for a cough?
Drug class: Non-narcotic Antitussives. Benzonatate (Tessalon) is an inexpensive drug used to treat cough. It is more popular than comparable drugs. It is available in generic and brand versions. Generic benzonatate is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans, but some pharmacy coupons or cash prices may be lower.
What is the name of the drug that is used as a cough suppressant?
DEXTROMETHORPHAN, GUAIFENESIN, and PHENYLEPHRINE (dex troe meth OR fan, gwye FEN e sin, fen il EF rin) is a combination of a cough suppressant, an expectorant, and a decongestant. It is used to treat cough and congestion. This medicine will not treat an infection.
What is hydrocodone used for?
CHLORPHENIRAMINE; HYDROCODONE is a combination of an antihistamine and cough suppressant. It is used to treat the symptoms of allergies and colds.
What is Nyquil used for?
ACETAMINOPHEN; DEXTROMETHORPHAN; DOXYLAMINE is a combination of a pain reliever, a cough suppressant, and an antihistamine. It is used to treat the aches and pains, cough, fever, headache, runny nose, and sneezing of a cold. This medicine will not treat an infection.
What is the class of a cough suppressant?
Drug class: Antihistamine / Opioid Combinations. CODEINE; PHENYLEPHRINE; PROMETHAZINE is a cough suppressant, a decongestant, and an antihistamine. It helps to stop or reduce coughing and congestion of colds or allergies. This medicine will not treat an infection.
What is the class of promethazine?
promethazine / codeine. Drug class: Opioid / Phenothiazine Combinations . Promethazine/codeine is an inexpensive drug used as a cough suppressant, a decongestant, and an antihistamine. It helps to stop or reduce coughing and congestion. It is more popular than comparable drugs.
What is the best medicine for a runny nose?
BROMPHENIRAMINE; DEXTROMETHORPHAN; PSEUDOEPHEDRINE is a histamine blocker, cough suppressant, and a decongestant. It can help relieve cough, runny nose, stuffy nose, sneezing, and itchy or watery eyes. This medicine is used to treat allergy and cold symptoms. This medicine will not treat an infection.
Why do doctors prescribe cough suppressants?
During the time your doctor is determining the reason for your cough and beginning treatment, your doctor may also prescribe a cough suppressant to try to speed your symptom relief.
How to get rid of coughing and sneezing?
Follow the plan your doctor gives you for treating the cause of your cough. In the meantime, you can also try these tips to ease your cough: Drink fluids. Liquid helps thin the mucus in your throat. Warm liquid s, such as broth, tea or juice, can soothe your throat. Suck on cough drops or hard candies.
What is the best treatment for asthma?
The most effective treatments for asthma-related cough are corticosteroids and bronchodilators, which reduce inflammation and open up your airways. Antibiotics. If a bacterial, fungal or mycobacterial infection is causing your chronic cough, your doctor may prescribe medications to address the infection. Acid blockers.
What is the best test for COPD?
Spirometer. A spirometer is a diagnostic device that measures the amount of air you're able to breathe in and out and the time it takes you to exhale completely after you take a deep breath. These simple, noninvasive tests, such as spirometry, are used to diagnose asthma and COPD.
Can smoking cause coughing?
Determining the cause of chronic cough is crucial to effective treatment. In many cases, more than one underlying condition may be causing your chronic cough . If you are currently smoking, your doctor will discuss with you your readiness to quit and provide assistance to achieve this goal.
Can a doctor test for cough?
Your doctor may also order tests to look for the cause of your chronic cough. However, many doctors opt to start treatment for one of the common causes of chronic cough rather than ordering expensive tests. If the treatment doesn't work, however, you may undergo testing for less common causes.
Can you take ACE inhibitors with cough?
If you're taking an ACE inhibitor medication, your doctor may switch you to another medicine that doesn't have cough as a side effect. Medications used to treat chronic cough may include: Antihistamines, corticosteroids and decongestants. These drugs are standard treatment for allergies and postnasal drip.
Non-prescription and over-the-counter cough suppressants
Acute cough due to a viral upper respiratory tract infection (URI) is the most common form of cough — and a ton of money is spent on making and marketing drugs to manage it.
Prescription cough suppressants
Still coughing? Consider benzonatate (Tessalon) capsules. Benzonatate is a prescription, non-narcotic antitussive medication that numbs the airways, the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs, and the lining of the lungs (pleura). It’s FDA-approved for adults and children over 10 years old.
What does the research say?
But do these cough medications really work? According to a 2014 review, the jury’s still out on the OTC products.
The bottom line
If you’re self-treating an acute cough, there are several OTC products to choose from. Keep in mind that they don’t all work the same — and the evidence is mixed if you’ll see a benefit from taking them. Prescription products may be another option if you can’t get relief.
What is the best way to treat cough?
Nonmedication treatments for coughs include drinking plenty of fluids, especially warm drinks, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Drinking plenty of fluids also helps prevent someone who’s sick from becoming dehydrated, which can also be caused by fever.
What is the best cough suppressant?
Dextromethorphan: A cough suppressant that works by decreasing activity in the brain that causes coughing. Guaifenesin: A cough expectorant that works by thinning mucus, making it easier to clear from airways. Phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine: These are ingredients that help to decongest nasal and sinus passages.
What is the best medicine for sinus congestion?
Phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine: These are ingredients that help to decongest nasal and sinus passages. Since nasal and sinus congestion are not typical symptoms associated with coronavirus disease, your physician may advise you to avoid these ingredients and look for single-ingredient products instead.
How to help a sore throat?
Consider asking your doctor whether to use a humidifier. For dry coughs, the extra moisture from a humidifier can help make it easier to breathe.
Is acetaminophen safe for cough?
Acetaminophen: Relieves pain and fever. Taking acetaminophen is safe as long as recommended dosage is followed. Acetaminophen may cause issues if taken at dosages > 4 grams/day. Over-the-counter cough and cold products may also contain codeine, which is an opioid.
Can you give cough medicine to kids?
Considering Kids and Cough Medications. The FDA does not recommend using over-the-counter medications for cough and cold symptoms in children younger than age two. As a result of this decision, many manufacturers relabeled their products to state that they should not be given to children younger than age four.
What is the best medicine for a cold?
Aches and Fever. There are two kinds of medicines made to treat minor aches and pains from a cold: Acetaminophen relieves headaches. It might also help open a stuffed nose. It’s in many cough and cold products as well as in other medicines.
Is there a cure for a cough?
There is no cure, but there are plenty of OTC remedies that pledge to help you feel better. “OTC” products are sold “over the counter,” which means they don’t need a prescription. Some focus on one symptom, like congestion or a cough. Others target several at once. Use this guide to find the right one for the symptoms you have.
Can cough drops thin mucus?
Some OTC cough medicines have an ingredient that stops the reflex that makes you cough. Others contain an agent that will thin your mucus. You might try to suck on a cough drop or hard candy; it could do the trick. Cough medicines don't often cause side effects in healthy adults.
Can Ibuprofen cause a sore throat?
Sore Throat. Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin can also ease the pain of a sore throat. Or you can suck on a lozenge or use a throat spray that contains a pain reliever such as benzocaine. Multi-Symptom Cold Relievers.
Can you take decongestants before bed?
Avoid taking them within a few hours before bed or you might have trouble falling asleep. If you have high blood pressure , ask your doctor if it’s okay to use a decongestant.
Can antihistamines make you sleepy?
Some antihistamines can make you drowsier than others, so be aware of the side effects. You might not get tired, at all. But, you will be even more sedated if you drink alcohol with this medicine. So take precautions and be safe about driving or operating machinery.
Do antihistamines help with colds?
Antihistamines block a chemical that makes your nose fill up and run. Studies find antihistamines don't improve cold symptoms much on their own. But they may work better when combined with a decongestant. Some antihistamines can make you drowsier than others, so be aware of the side effects.
How to Cope With a COVID-19 Cough
Coughing is common with COVID-19. Here are some at-home treatments and strategies that can help.
How Common Is a COVID-19 Cough?
Fifty to 70 percent of people with symptomatic COVID-19 will develop a dry cough, according to William Checkley, MD, PhD, an associate professor in the division of pulmonary and critical care medicine at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore.
The COVID-19 Cough and Omicron
With the arrival of omicron even more of us are coughing: An investigation out of Norway published in December 2021 in the journal Eurosurveillance, looking at a group of mostly vaccinated people who became infected by omicron at a company Christmas party, found that 83 percent reported having a cough.
Is a COVID-19 Cough Different From Other Kinds of Coughs?
Ubiquitous as it may be, a COVID-19 cough is not unique. “A COVID-19 cough is similar to the cough produced from other viral or bacterial pneumonias,” says Checkley.
What Causes Coughing
As unsettling as it is to deal with any kind of cough, this protective reflex is necessary for bouncing back from an infection. “You don’t want to suppress coughing too much because if there are secretions, like mucus, you have to be able to clear them out,” says Klitzman.
How to Prevent Coughs From Spreading the Coronavirus
As most of us know by now, it’s crucial to cover a COVID-19 cough with a face mask, a tissue, or a bent elbow to reduce the spread of infectious respiratory droplets and aerosols.
How to Calm That Cough Down
Fortunately, there are things you can do to treat a cough while you recover from COVID-19 at home. “It can help to elevate yourself when sleeping by slipping a wedge under your pillow,” says Klitzman.
What kind of cough medicine can i take if i have afib ?
Raw Honey: Many coughs are due to that"tickle" in the throat resultant from a viral uri. Raw honey coats the throat, is sfae for afibbers, and otc. You can take a tsp or 2 as often as needed.
Can i take cough medicine with milk?
Milk: Milk makes mucus which could be causing an increase in your coughing so i wouldnt recommend taking cough medicine with milk.
What drugs are approved by the FDA?
Drugs Approved or Authorized for Use 1 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved one drug, remdesivir (Veklury), to treat COVID-19. 2 The FDA can also issue emergency use authorizations#N#external icon#N#(EUAs) to allow healthcare providers to use products that are not yet approved, or that are approved for other uses, to treat patients with COVID-19 if certain legal requirements are met. 3 The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has developed and regularly updates Treatment Guidelines#N#external icon#N#to help guide healthcare providers caring for patients with COVID-19, including when clinicians might consider using one of the products under an EUA.
What is the FDA approved drug?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved one drug, remdesivir (Veklury), to treat COVID-19. The FDA can also issue emergency use authorizations. external icon. (EUAs) to allow healthcare providers to use products that are not yet approved, or that are approved for other uses, to treat patients with COVID-19 if certain legal requirements ...
How do antiviral medications affect the immune system?
Antiviral medications reduce the ability of the virus to multiply and spread through the body. Reducing an overactive immune response. In patients with severe COVID-19, the body’s immune system may overreact to the threat of the virus, worsening the disease. This can cause damage to the body’s organs and tissues.
How to help a fever with a virus?
Your healthcare provider might recommend the following to relieve symptoms and support your body’s natural defenses: Taking medications, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to reduce fever. Drinking water or receiving intravenous fluids to stay hydrated. Getting plenty of rest to help the body fight the virus.
Diagnosis
Treatment
- Determining the cause of chronic cough is crucial to effective treatment. In many cases, more than one underlying condition may be causing your chronic cough. If you are currently smoking, your doctor will discuss with you your readiness to quit and provide assistance to achieve this goal. If you're taking an ACE inhibitor medication, your doctor may switch you to another medici…
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Follow the plan your doctor gives you for treating the cause of your cough. In the meantime, you can also try these tips to ease your cough: 1. Drink fluids.Liquid helps thin the mucus in your throat. Warm liquids, such as broth, tea or juice, can soothe your throat. 2. Suck on cough drops or hard candies.They may ease a dry cough and soothe an irr...
Preparing For Your Appointment
- While you may initially see your family doctor, he or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in lung disorders (pulmonologist).