There are some over-the-counter products that can be used to reduce the number and severity of cough cases:
- Cough suppressants or antitussives can help stop coughs. You should only take these for relief when you have dry, hacking coughs.
Some examples of cough suppressants that you can take by mouth include: Codeine, Dextromethorphan (DM), and Diphenhydramine.
Some examples of cough suppressants that you can rub on your throat and chest include: camphor and menthol.
- Expectorants or protussives help loosen the mucus in your throat and airways so that it is easier for you to cough up the mucus from the airway.
The only approved expectorant is Guaifenesin.
AT HOME REMEDIES
There are also at home remedies that can be used to provide relief from excessive coughing. For example:
- Use a humidifier to moisturize the air in your room.
- Take non-medicated lozenges to soothe your throat.
- Drink plenty of liquids, such as chicken broth or hot tea with lemon, to soothe your throat and to thin the mucus in your throat.
SEE YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU:
- Cough up thick yellow or green mucus
- Have a fever > 101.5 F
- Have a history of chronic illnesses associated with cough
- Cough for more than 7 days
- Cough worsens even after treatment
GET IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTTENTION IF YOU:
- Cough up blood or blood-tinted phlegm
- Experience shortness of breath (difficulty with breathing)
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