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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Coughing is your body’s natural response when something is irritating your airways or your throat. And a cough from a cold or the flu will often go away on its own without any treatment. But in the meantime, a cough can be bothersome -- for example, if you’re coughing at night, it might keep you awake. You might want to try cough medicine to get some relief.Many types of over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine are available. But don't just grab any box of cough medicine off the pharmacy shelf. These medicines contain different active ingredients, and some are more likely to help than others, depending on the type of cough you have.If your cough is bothering you and interrupting your daily activities, cough medicine might help. Although cough medicine doesn’t cure your cold -- or whatever is causing your cough -- it can ease your symptoms while your body heals.As a glance at the drugstore shelves will show you, there are many, many brands of OTC cough medicines. But there are only three basic types. ExpectorantsExpectorants thin mucus. When you have a cough that produces mucus, or phlegm, expectorants help loosen it up, making it easier to cough up and clear out of your airway. This can help relieve congestion in your chest.The ingredient guaifenesin is the most commonly used expectorant. Guaifenesin comes in a tablet, capsule, or syrup. These are some of the over-the-counter expectorant medications on the market that contain guaifenesin:Bidex 400MucinexOrganidin NRRobitussinTussin ExpectorantXpectNatural expectorants that may help include menthol, which is an ingredient in some cough drops, and honey.SuppressantsCough suppressants, also called antitussives, suppress or reduce your cough by blocking your brain’s cough reflex. One of the most common active ingredients in suppressants is dextromethorphan (DM). Here are some cough suppressants that contain dextromethorphan:Delsym 12-hour CoughRobitussin Cough Long-ActingTriaminic Long-Acting CoughVicks DayQuil CoughOther types of cough suppressants include camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol. Some ointments or rubs, like Vicks VapoRub, contain these ingredients. Sometimes cough drops contain menthol, and they may help relieve a cough. Combination medicinesSome cough medicines combine both guaifenesin and dextromethorphan. Some OTC cough medicines that contain both include:Delsym Cough + Chest Congestion DMMucinex Fast-Max DM Max Robitussin Adult Cough + Chest Congestion DMRobitussin Adult Peak ColdTriaminic Cough & Congestion Tussi-Organidin DM NR Vicks DayQuil Mucus Control DMCombination products also may include other medicines to ease other symptoms at the same time. These other ingredients may include decongestants for stuffy nose, antihistamines for allergies or a runny nose, and painkillers. Cough medicines sometimes contain ingredients to help coat and soothe your throat as well. Which is the strongest over-the-counter cough medicine?Because OTC cough medicines have different active ingredients, it’s hard to compare them. And studies haven’t shown much reliable evidence of how effective these medicines are. Some studies have shown that these medicines aren’t any better than a placebo. But different types of cough medicines might work better for certain symptoms than others. For example, if your cough is preventing you from sleeping and you are
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