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Since not all cough medicines are the same, choosing the best treatment for you depends on your type of cough and symptoms.

All cough medicines aren’t the same. The type of cough suppressant that may work best for you depends on the type of cough you have.

Here is how to choose the best cough medicine for your symptoms:

• Nonproductive cough: This means dry cough or cough with no sputum or mucus production. A dry cough can be quite irritating and may keep you up at night. 
  • Medications to treat dry cough are called cough suppressants or antitussives. These medications suppress the cough reflex, thereby providing relief. 
  • Dextromethorphan is a popular cough suppressant available in various forms including lozenges, syrups, and tablets.
    • It can cause certain side effects such as drowsiness, shakiness, dizziness, blurred vision, and confusion. Thus, be careful while using this medication.
    • You may want to avoid activities such as driving while you are taking dextromethorphan.
    • Because of its potential for drug abuse due to its hallucinogenic effect (also called robotripping), some states have limited the quantity of dextromethorphan in people older than 18 years. However, currently, there is no federal ban or restriction on this drug.
• Productive cough: It is also called wet cough because it is associated with the production of mucus or sputum along with cough.
  • Using a cough suppressant for wet cough may worsen the condition by preventing the expectoration (coughing out) of excessive mucus from your lungs.
  • Suitable medications, in this case, are called cough expectorants that help loosen up and remove the irritating mucus from your respiratory tract and provide relief.
    • Guaifenesin is the ingredient used in expectorant cough formulations. 
    • Some cough formulations may contain potassium iodide that helps loosen the mucus by making it more watery.

Besides the above two groups of cough medications, over-the-counter formulations may contain other ingredients such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or antihistamines.

• NSAIDs help relieve symptoms such as fever and pain, whereas antihistamines help relieve allergies.

Combination preparations must be avoided if you do not have additional symptoms with a cough. Such prescription may unnecessarily put you at risk of side effects from the ingredients that weren’t needed in the first place.

Non-medicated hard candies may help relieve cough and sore throat.

Several cough remedies are available over-the-counter (OTC); however, before you try any cough medications, make sure that you seek approval from your doctor, especially if you are pregnant, are lactating, or have any underlying health condition such as diabetes or kidney disease.

Reasons not to suppress a cough

Coughing is your body’s reflex mechanism to get rid of harmful substances from your respiratory tract.

Suppressing coughing can at times do more harm than good by preventing the removal of irritating or harmful substances including bacteria and excess mucus from your body. Nonetheless, excessive coughing can perturb work, rest, and sleep and may even make you puke.

Home care for faster recovery from cough

You may get relief from cough by following these tips:

• Take plenty of fluids including water, homemade vegetable and fruit juices, electrolyte solutions, warm soups, and broths.
• Take enough rest.
• Run a humidifier in your room.
• Try steam inhalation.
• If you have a stuffy nose, saline nasal drops may help relieve it.
• Completely avoid smoking, including second-hand smoke.
• Give honey and grated ginger in warm water to those older than five years.

When to contact your doctor

Contact your doctor if:

• Your symptoms worsen.
• Your cough does not go within a week.
• You develop a high fever.
• You have trouble breathing or chest pain.
• You feel unusual lethargy or drowsiness.
• You have wheezing or noisy breathing.
• You have underlying health conditions such as diabetes, chronic lung conditions, high blood pressure, and glaucoma or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• You have developed symptoms after being in contact with an individual with COVID-19.

Owing to the ongoing flu and COVID-19 menace, it is always advisable to seek professional guidance for fever or any respiratory symptoms such as cough, difficulty breathing, or runny nose.