With all the options available, choosing an over-the-counter cough remedy can be overwhelming. Here’s what to look for and what to avoid.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
A hacking cough isn’t fun for you…or anyone around you.
With all the over-the-counter remedies available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming.
Here are a few tips to make it easier.
One option is a multi-symptom reliever, which treats not only coughs, but also sniffles, sneezes, aches and pains.
Unless you have other symptoms, though, it’s best to target just your cough.
One way to do that is with a cough suppressant, which blocks the cough reflex with ingredients like dextromethorphan.
Cough suppressants are supposed to reduce how often you cough. But surprisingly, there’s little evidence they really work.
Another option is an expectorant, like guaifenesin, which breaks up mucus in your chest.
Some medicines have both an expectorant and a cough suppressant. These may also include a pain reliever like acetaminophen to soothe a sore throat.
Remedies may also contain an antihistamine, which can be helpful if an allergy or postnasal drip is causing your cough. But they can also dry you out too much — and make you sleepy.
Then there are cough treatments that come in a lozenge, rather than a liquid. Cough drops contain ingredients like menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus oil. But, as with liquid cough medicines, there’s debate how well they really work.
Whatever type you choose, check the dosing instructions. Take only the recommended amount, using the measuring cup provided with the medicine.
Don’t take any cough medicine for more than a week. A cough lasting longer than that should be checked out by a doctor.
Avoid giving cough or other cold medicines to kids under age 4. These products don’t really help in young children and could cause side effects.
Instead, if your child is one year or older, honey may be worth a try. Research shows it can be effective at reducing coughs in both kids and adults.
At the very least, the taste will give them a reason to smile.