Which cough medicines really work?

Making sense of it all can be daunting.

These medications aren’t always effective and they can cause side effects and adverse reactions.

Doctor checking young patient’s cough

PhotoAlto / Ale Ventura / Brand X Pictures / Getty Images

Cough suppressants and expectorants are symptomatic treatments, but they don’t treat the cause of a cough.

It may be a good idea to check with your healthcare provider to see if they recommend them.

A note of caution about antihistamines: Some of them can cause drowsiness.

And for some people, antihistamine-induced drowsiness can be persistent even after a good night’s sleep.

Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics.

For that reason, healthcare providers don’t give antiviral medications for common colds.

Combination Drugs

Many cough medicines contain more than oneactive ingredient.

For example, they can have a combination of an antihistamine, a decongestant, or a cough suppressant.

And most flu and cold medications treat several symptoms.

The cause and jot down of cough you are having are important for directing the treatment.

Adry cough, wet cough, allergic cough, infectious cough, and more may be managed differently.

Bolser DC.Cough suppressant and pharmacologic protussive therapy: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.Chest.

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2018;4(4):CD007094.