Cough Facts
Did you know there are different types of coughs? To best identify and treat your cough, here’s what you need to know.
A chesty or congested cough is loose and accompanied by a buildup of mucus or phlegm in the lungs. Cough expectorants help loosen the mucus so that when you do cough, it can be more productive. There are also coughs where no mucus or phlegm is present. Both types of coughs can be treated with an antitussive, or cough suppressant, to reduce the amount of coughing. The active ingredients in all cough medicines are listed first on the Drug Facts label.
Cough Treatments
Certain conditions, such as the common cold, can cause a buildup of mucus, leading to chest congestion and a chesty or congested cough. Cough expectorants (i.e., medicines that help relieve chest congestion caused by mucus) help loosen congestion so that when you do cough it is more productive, which means you clear the mucus from your lungs.
- Cough expectorant active ingredients help rid airways of mucus by making the mucus more fluid so that it is easier to clear by coughing
- The active ingredient in expectorant medicines is called guaifenesin. Some expectorant medicines may contain additional active ingredients to reduce the amount of coughing or treat related symptoms, such as nasal congestion, runny nose and sneezing, minor aches and pains, and fever
- Expectorant active ingredients are available in oral medicines such as liquids and tablets. These medicines are taken by mouth and absorbed through the bloodstream
Many of us are exposed to a variety of pollutants in the air, such as dust, exhaust fumes, and smoke, on a daily basis. When you develop a dry cough, it is your body’s way of clearing pollutants and other irritants from your airways. Cough suppressants, also known as antitussives, are medicines that are used to temporarily control or quiet a cough due to a cold, inhaled irritants, or minor throat and bronchial irritation.
- The active ingredients in cough suppressants work by temporarily reducing the cough reflex, which makes you feel the need to cough less
- Cough suppressants are available in both oral and topical medicine forms. Oral cough suppressants such as pills, liquids, and tablets are taken by mouth and absorbed through the bloodstream. Topical cough suppressants, like ointments and steam vaporizers, are inhaled after being applied to the chest or released into the air by steam. Lozenges are also considered topical cough suppressants because they are not swallowed whole. Lozenges are slowly dissolved in the mouth and absorbed through the throat
- Cough suppressant active ingredients include:
- Camphor
- Dextromethorphan
- Eucalyptus oil
- Menthol
Oftentimes, a cough is just one of many symptoms that you might be experiencing. There are some medicines that treat a cough and other symptoms that can sometimes accompany a cough, such as chest congestion, nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, minor aches and pains, and fever.
Safe Use Tips for Cough Medicines
- Always read the Drug Facts label carefully. The label tells you everything you need to know about the medicine, including the ingredients, what you are supposed to use it for, how much you should take, and when you should not take the product
- Do not take more than the maximum number of doses recommended on the product’s label in a 24-hour period
- Topical cough suppressant lozenges should be placed in the mouth and dissolved slowly. Do not swallow a lozenge whole
- A lingering cough may be a sign of a serious condition. If your cough lasts more than one week or is accompanied by fever, rash, or a persistent headache, you should contact a healthcare provider
- If you have a persistent cough due to smoking, asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema, contact a healthcare provider before taking a cough expectorant medicine
- Cough suppressants containing dextromethorphan may interact with certain prescription medicines. You should not use a dextromethorphan-containing medicine if you are currently taking a prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), or certain drugs for depression, or psychiatric or emotional conditions. Contact a healthcare provider with any questions
- Products containing camphor or menthol in ointment or cream form should be applied to the throat and chest in a thick layer. The area may be covered with a dry cloth, but clothing should be left loose to allow the vapors to reach the nose and mouth
- Talk to a healthcare provider before using an oral or topical cough suppressant if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Do not use cough suppressants for chronic coughs due to smoking, asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema, or if your cough is accompanied by excessive congestion (mucus), unless a healthcare provider tells you to do so
Safe Use Tips for Parents
- Do not give a cough expectorant or suppressant medicine to a child under the age of 4
- Do not give any OTC medicine that is only intended for an adult to a child
- Young children should be carefully supervised when vaporizers are running because the hot steam that is released could cause burns or injuries
- Talk to a healthcare provider before using a topical cough suppressant ointment on a child under the age of 2
- Before giving a cough lozenge to a child under the age of 6, make sure the child is able to safely dissolve a lozenge in their mouth without choking. Read the Drug Facts label carefully for appropriate use in children and contact a healthcare provider as directed
Additional Information
One in 30 teens abuses cough medicines containing dextromethorphan to get high. Abusers may take up to 25 times the recommended dose. For more information, visit StopMedicineAbuse.org.
Keep all medicines up and away and out of sight of children.
Not all products marketed under a brand contain the same ingredients. Please read the Drug Facts label carefully for active ingredient information.
Source: KnowYourOTCs
See also: Oral health