What can I take over the counter for a cough?
What can I take over the counter for a cough?
Over-the-counter cough medicines that contain dextromethorphan ( Mucinex, Robitussin) relax the cough reflex. Your doctor might prescribe a medicine such as benzonatate (Tessalon Perles) if over-the-counter medicines don’t help. This numbs the cough reflex.
What are the ingredients of a cough medicine?
Medicines that help quiet coughs (antitussive medicines) usually include one or more of the following ingredients: 1 Benadryl (an antihistamine) 2 Dextromethorphan (the ‘DM’ in cough syrups) 3 Codeine or hydrocodone (narcotic cough suppressants)
What kind of blood pressure medication makes you cough?
Blood Pressure Medications That Cause Coughing 1 Captopril (Capoten). 2 Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril). 3 Benazepril (Lotensin). 4 Ramipril (Altace). 5 Enalapril (Vasotec). 6 Moexipril (Univasc). 7 Fosinopril (Monopril). 8 Perindopril (Aceon). 9 Quinapril (Accupril). 10 Trandolapril (Mavik). More …
What should I do if I have a chronic cough?
Do I Have a Chronic Cough? Symptoms, Treatment, and More 1 Acid reflux. You’ll take medicine to neutralize, reduce, or block acid production. 2 Asthma. Drugs used to treat asthma can include inhaled steroids and bronchodilators,… 3 Chronic bronchitis. Bronchodilators and inhaled steroids are used to treat chronic bronchitis…
What kind of Medicine DO YOU take for a cough?
The prescription medications used to control a severe cough often contain codeine or hydrocodone, both of which are narcotic medications. They prevent the brain from triggering the cough reflex. Often, these narcotics are in combination medications that also include an antihistamine.
Are there any over the counter cough suppressants?
Some cough suppressants are available in over-the-counter strengths as well as prescription-strength medications (e.g., dextromethorphan). The prescription medications used to control a severe cough often contain codeine or hydrocodone, both of which are narcotic medications. They prevent the brain from triggering the cough reflex.
Is it safe to take cough and cold medicine?
When cough and cold medicines are taken as directed, they safely treat symptoms caused by colds and flu. But when taken in higher quantities or when you don’t have any symptoms, they may affect the brain in ways very similar to illegal drugs, and can even lead to addiction.
Do you need a prescription for DXM cough syrup?
Many of these medicines are bought “over the counter” (OTC), meaning you do not need a prescription to have them. Two commonly misused cough and cold medicines are: Dextromethorphan (DXM) cough syrup, tablets, and gel capsules. These OTC cough medicines are safe for stopping coughs during a cold if you take them as directed.
According to Hopkins, other over-the-counter medicines that can help alleviate symptoms include cough expectorants like Mucinex or the generic version for the ingredient guaifenesin, cough …
Do you need to take OTC cough medicine?
Doing so can make your stuffed nose come back. You usually don’t need to treat a cough. It should go away on its own in a few days. Some OTC cough medicines have an ingredient that stops the reflex that makes you cough. Others contain an agent that will thin your mucus. You might try to suck on a cough drop or hard candy; it could do the trick.
Are there over the counter cough suppressants for tickly cough?
These ingredients are known as expectorants. For a dry tickly cough, an over the counter medicine containing a cough suppressant to block the natural coughing reflex, such as pholcodine and dextromethorphan, should help. If you’re still not feeling better, these at-home remedies should alleviate the symptoms of a persistent cough:
Can you take a cold medicine with a cough?
It is very important to distinguish between general cold medicines – which combine ingredients to treat multiple symptoms – and cough medicines which treat the cough specifically. Never take a cold or flu medicine designed to treat multiple symptoms when you only have a cough.
What cough medicine works best?
Acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen are best for fever, chills and muscle aches/pain. Guaifenesin thins mucus secretions to allow you to cough up the “junkiness,” whereas dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. Stimulants like Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) dry up nasal/eye secretions.
Does cough medicine really do anything?
Some cough medicines have significant and potentially dangerous side effects that could be much worse in an overdose. Don’t take extra cough medicine if you’re taking a medication that covers multiple problems, such as sniffling, sneezing, coughing, etc., or you risk an overdose and increased side effects.
What pills are good for cough?
Benzonatate is the generic name of the brand-name drug Tessalon (the gelcaps are called Tessalon Perles). The medication is a non-narcotic, prescription cough medicine. Benzonatate belongs to a subgroup of cough medications known as antitussives, which control your cough by numbing and suppressing reflexes in your airways and lungs.
Is Mucinex over the counter?
Mucinex ( Guaifenesin ) Mucinex, also known by its drug name, Guaifenesin, is an over-the-counter medication used to relieve coughs and chest congestion associated with cold and flu.