What Are Cough Medicines?

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Coughs start when the airways become irritated. Coughing is a natural reflex to clear the airways and protect the lungs from irritants. Coughs are commonly caused by colds or flus, but they also could be the sign of an underlying health condition. Even if you don’t have a cold, both chemical and environmental irritants such as cigarette smoke, excessive dust, air pollution, pollen, cold air or even strong perfumes can set off a coughing fit.

There are two main types of coughs:

Wet cough (a productive cough).

Dry cough (a nonproductive cough).
Wet coughs, also called chest coughs, usually produce mucus or phlegm. Wet coughs are typically caused by a common cold or flu and can be worse during morning hours and at night. With a wet cough, you may sometimes feel like something is stuck or dripping in your throat because of postnasal drip. You may have difficulty coughing up (expectorating) the mucus to clear your airways.

Wet coughs are sometimes treated with expectorants that help thin the mucus and make your cough more productive. Most wet coughs go away in a few days, but can last a few weeks ...
... depending on the severity of the cold or flu.

Dry coughs do not produce excessive mucus. Similar to wet coughs, a virus or flu can cause a dry cough. Another major cause of dry coughs are irritants in the airways such as pollen, dust or pet dander.

Dry coughs can be treated with cough suppressants. Most dry coughs will go away in a few days after a cold. But some dry coughs last weeks or months because of lung irritation.

“The leading cause of coughs is colds and flus, but there are numerous other causes that trigger coughing attacks,” says Dr. Robert McLean, an internist with the Northeast Medical Group of Yale-New Haven Health in Connecticut and past president of the American College of Physicians. “Chronic coughs that last more than eight weeks can be a sign of a more serious lung condition such as asthma, COPD and pulmonary fibrosis.”

There are two main classes of over-the-counter cough medicines:

Expectorants.
Suppressants.

Here’s how these medicines are used to treat a cough:

Expectorants. These cough medicines act to loosen and increase mucus flow in the lungs. Expectorants act by moistening the respiratory tract to break up the mucus. Expectorants like guaifenesin (Mucinex, Robitussin Chest Congestion) help make the wet cough more productive.

Suppressants. Also known as antitussives, suppressants work by calming or quieting the cough. They do this by blocking your cough reflex. Suppressants like dextromethorphan (Robitussin and Delsym) are often combined with expectorants to treat coughs.

What Symptoms Do Cough Medicines Treat?

The following are common signs and symptoms that may accompany a cough:

Bad taste in mouth.
Heartburn.
Hoarseness.
Laryngitis.
Mucus.
Phlegm.
Postnasal drip.
Runny or stuffy nose.
Sore throat.
Are All Kinds of Coughs Treated the Same Way?

Coughs are treated differently depending on whether it is a wet or dry cough. People with wet coughs have mucus build up and should take an expectorant to thin the mucus and make it easier to cough. For dry coughs, which are often triggered by an irritant, cough medicines with a suppressant will help quiet the cough.

Doctors may recommend a combination cough medicine with an expectorant and suppressant to manage different cough symptoms. There are several combination over-the-counter cough medicines available.

For people with chronic cough whose symptoms are not managed by over-the-counter cough medicines, your doctor may conduct further exams such as pulmonary function tests, bloodwork and X-rays to determine if there is an underlying health condition such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, pneumonia and cystic fibrosis. You should discuss specific treatment options with your doctor.

Prescription Cough Medicine

Over-the-counter medicines are most commonly used to treat coughs. If you’re still coughing and your symptoms are not improving, there are a few prescription cough medicines your doctor may consider, including:

Narcotic cough medicine. The two main ingredients used in narcotic cough medicines are:

Codeine.
Hydrocodone.

In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration has restricted use of narcotic products to only those over age 18. These medications also require boxed warnings discussing risk of abuse and slowed or difficulty breathing.

Non-narcotic cough medicine:

Benzonatate.

Cough Medicines for Children

Some over-the-counter cough medicines are especially made for children. To ensure OTC cough medicines are safe for children, talk to a doctor or pharmacist about the ingredients. A cough medicine that is safe for children age 6 and older may not be safe for a child age 4, for example. It’s important to read labels for specific age recommendations and never give children cough medicines that are packaged for adult use.

In 2008, the FDA recommended that over-the-counter cough and cold products should not be used for infants and children under age 2 because serious and potentially life-threatening side effects may occur. Potential side effects include convulsions, rapid heart rates and decreased levels of consciousness. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends not using OTC cough and cold medicines in children ages 4 and under, as there is no real demonstrated benefit in younger children.

FDA guidelines also state that prescription cough medicines containing codeine or hydrocodone should only be used by adults. They are not indicated for use in those under 18 years of age.

Side Effects

Taking cough medicines can come with side effects. The most common side effects of cough medicines include:

Blurred vision.
Dizziness or lightheadedness.
Drowsiness.
Headache.
Nausea.
Nervousness or restlessness.
Stomach pain.
Vomiting.
Natural Remedies Natural remedies can help soothe the throat and reduce related cough symptoms. The following natural treatments are worth keeping in your medicine cabinet – or kitchen cabinet:

1.Camphor oil. One of the oldest cough remedies, camphor oil can help soothe throat congestion. Camphor oil can be rubbed on your chest and back or added to vapor rubs.

2.Chicken soup. While not a cure, chicken soup has been a popular remedy for generations to help treat coughs. Chicken soup can help thin mucus buildup to help you cough up the mucus better. Chicken soup contains an amino acid called cysteine to help boost your immune system. Add garlic, hot peppers or tabasco sauce to chicken soup to increase the spice level and its ability to fight the mucus.

3.Honey. A popular remedy to soothe a sore throat is honey. Whether by itself or mixed with hot tea and lemon, honey coats the throat and soothes the mucus membranes. Remember not to give honey to children under 1 year of age because of the risk of severe food poisoning.

4.Ivy leaf. Considered a natural expectorant, ivy leaf may help loosen and thin the mucus in your airways and lungs. Ivy leaf is found in natural cough medicines and remedies.

5.Menthol. This natural cooling ingredient is found in plants like mint. Menthol is thought to interact with cold receptors in the nose and throat, helping to slow or stop coughing and help get rid of the mucus aggravating your throat. Menthol may come in the form of lozenges, nasal sprays, inhalers, syrups and vapor rubs.

6.Tea. Commonly used to ease cough symptoms, a warm cup of tea can help soothe a sore throat and loosen up mucus. There are several different types of tea for helping with cough symptoms, including honey tea, licorice root tea, ginger tea, marshmallow root tea, green tea, thyme tea and peppermint tea.