However, it is a controlled substance and habit-forming. This type of cough syrup is available by prescription. Narcotic cough suppressantĬodeine cough suppressants like promethazine/codeine should only be an option for short-term use - and only in adults. Keep in mind that routine use of inhalers like Proventil and ProAir has not been shown to improve the severity of a cough or shorten its duration. Rescue inhalers are also given for conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If your provider hears wheezing with your cough, they may prescribe an albuterol inhaler like Proventil or ProAir. You can take up to 600 mg daily, divided into three doses or as otherwise recommended by your healthcare provider.
It’s FDA-approved for adults and children over 10 years old. It numbs the airways, the air sacs in the lungs, and the lining of the lungs. Benzonatate is a prescription, non-narcotic antitussive medication. Non-narcotic cough suppressantsĬonsider benzonatate (Tessalon) capsules. Let’s take a closer look at the type of cough medications your provider may prescribe. If OTC products aren’t working, prescription cough medications are sometimes needed to control a cough. This could mean your cough is something more serious. If you also have symptoms like fever or difficulty breathing, let your provider know. These include products like Dimetapp and Mucinex DM.īut if OTC products aren’t working, or your cough has you losing sleep, you may want to talk to your provider about prescription options. You can also find combination products that contain several different cough medications together. Know that many antihistamines can make you drowsy, while decongestants can keep you awake. A common decongestant is pseudoephedrine (Sudafed). Examples of antihistamines are chlorpheniramine and clemastine. Antihistamines and decongestantsĪntihistamines and decongestants work by targeting post-nasal drip that may be triggering your cough. Products such as menthol cough drops have a cooling effect in addition to opening your airways to help prevent coughing. For this reason, they may work better for a “wet” (productive) cough. Cough suppressants usually work better for a “dry” (non-productive) cough, which commonly results from irritation.Ĭough expectorants, like guaifenesin ( Mucinex), work by loosening up and thinning the mucus in your throat so you cough it up more easily. A common example is dextromethorphan (Robitussin, Delsym). Cough suppressantsĬough suppressants (antitussives) help by controlling your cough reflex. But it’s important to know that not all OTC cough medications are created equal or work the same way. There are many OTC cough medicines to help manage an acute cough - from syrups and pills to lozenges. But coughing can happen due to other reasons as well. The most common reason for an acute cough (short-term) is a viral upper respiratory tract infection (URI). 1–4 of 6 Best over-the-counter cough medicines
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