What is Cough Medicine? When is Cough Medicine used?

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What is Cough Medicine?

Cough is a sudden, forced expulsion of air that helps to clear any mucus or irritants in the throat or airways. If it occurs more frequently due to a disease or allergy, it can be dangerous. Coughing is the main symptom of an upper respiratory tract infection. However, cough can also be a symptom of other conditions such as asthma or other lung diseases. The purpose of cough medicines is either to treat dry cough or to reduce the viscosity of mucus so that it can be removed while coughing. The cough medicines dilute the mucus in the nose, windpipe, and lungs, causing it to exit easily.

Cough medications also relieve symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing and help you in completing your daily activities easily.

When is Cough Medicine used?

• Cough 
• Cough with mucus 
• Sore throat 
• Chest tightness

Which are the Brands of Cough Medicines in the Market?

• Grilinctus Syrup (Ammonium Chloride (60mg/5ml) + Chlorpheniramine Maleate (2.5mg/5ml) + Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide (5mg/5ml) + Guaifenesin (50mg/5ml)
• Ascoril LS Syrup [Ambroxol (30mg/5ml) + Levosalbutamol (1mg/5ml) + Guaifenesin (50mg/5ml)]
• Bro-Zedex Syrup [Bromhexine (4mg) + Guaifenesin (50mg) + Menthol (2.5mg) + Terbutaline (1.25mg)]
• Ambrodil-LX Syrup [Ambroxol (30mg/5ml) + Levosalbutamol (1mg/5ml) + Guaifenesin (50mg/5ml)]
• Grilinctus-LS Syrup [Ambroxol (30mg/5ml) + Levosalbutamol (1mg/5ml) + Guaifenesin (50mg/5ml)]
• Pulmoclear Syrup [Terbutaline (1.25mg/5ml) + Acebrophylline (50mg/5ml) + Guaifenesin (50mg/5ml)]
• Phensedyl CR Syrup [Ambroxol (15mg/5ml) + Guaifenesin (50mg/5ml) + Levocetirizine (2.5mg/5ml) + Menthol (1mg/5ml)]
• Tossex XP Mango Syrup [Ambroxol (15mg/5ml) + Guaifenesin (50mg/5ml) + Terbutaline (1.25mg/5ml)]
• S-Mucolite Syrup [Ambroxol (15mg/5ml) + Guaifenesin (50mg/5ml) + Menthol (2.5mg/5ml) + Terbutaline (1.25mg/5ml)]

Side effects of Cough Medicines

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Stomach discomfort
• Allergic reaction
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Increase in heart rate
• Dryness in mouth
• Sleepiness
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation
• Breathing problems
• Increased white blood cell count
• Nasal inflammation
• Muscle cramp
• Indigestion
• Abdominal bloating

Precautions related to Cough Medicines

• It is not clear whether it is safe to consume alcohol with cough syrup. Please consult your doctor. However, some cough syrups may cause excessive drowsiness when taken with alcohol.
• Cough syrup may be unsafe for pregnant women. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have indicated harmful effects on the developing child. Your doctor will give you information about the benefits and any possible risks before prescribing it. Please consult your doctor.
• No information is available about the use of cough syrup in breastfeeding women. Please consult your doctor.
• Some cough medicines are safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited information suggests that dose adjustment of cough syrup may not be required in these patients. However, some cough syrup should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor.
• Cough syrup should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustments may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

When not to consume Cough Medicine?

• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Heart attack
• Allergies
• Heart disease
• Stomach ulcer
• High BP 
• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Smoking Addiction

FAQs Related to Cough Medicine

1) Is it safe to take cough medicine while driving vehicles or operating heavy machines?

Some cough syrup may reduce alertness, affect your eyesight, or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery when these symptoms occur. However, some syrups are safe to use while driving.

2) Can cough medicine cause addiction?

Cough medicines do not tend to cause addiction.

3) Is it safe to use cough medicines in patients suffering from kidney or liver disease?

Cough medications should be used cautiously in patients with liver and kidney disease.

4) What are the prescribed storage conditions for cough syrup?

Keep this medicine in a container or a tightly closed pack. Store it according to the instructions mentioned on the packaging or label. Keep it out of the reach of pets, children, and others.

Cough Medicine Reaction with Food and Alcohol

• It is safe to take cough syrup with food.
• It is not clear whether it is safe to consume alcohol with cough syrup. Please consult your doctor. However, some cough syrup may cause excessive drowsiness when taken with alcohol.

Interaction of Cough Medicines with other Drugs

Drug-drug interactions occur when two or more drugs react with each other. Drug interactions can make your medications less effective, cause unexpected side effects, or increase the effectiveness of particular drugs. Some drug interactions can be harmful to you. Each time you use non-prescription or prescription drugs, reading labels, and taking time to learn about the interactions of the drugs can be important to your health.

Severe 

• Selegiline (Selgin, Selegiline, Elegelin, Jumex, Eldepryl)
• Amoxicillin (Mega CV, Blumox Ca, Erox Cv, Mox clav, Bactoclav)
• Ephedrine (Efipres, Chlorpheniramine + Citric Acid + Ephedrine, Zorex, Asmapax Depot, Tedral)
• Cefuroxime (Pulmocef, Altacef, Cetil, Ceftum Tablet, Stafcure LZ)
• Erythromycin (Cynoryl Tablet, Acnetoin, Agrocin Tablet, Althrocin, Citamycin Tablet)
• Epinephrine (Dianora, Adrelin, Adrenaline Tartrate Injection, Enatrate, Epitrate)
• Labetalol (Gravidol, Alpha Dip, Evabet, Lab (Akumentis), Labecor)
• Rasagiline (Relgin, Rasalect, Rasipar, Rasagiline, Rasagin)
• Palonosetron (Chepatron , Palonosetron, Palostar, Alono, Akynzeo)

Moderate 

• Codeine (Parvo Cof, Normovent, Phenkuff, Phensedyl Cough, Grilinctus CD)
• Alprazolam (Flumusa Forte , Anxit, Alprax, , Alp Plus, Alprop)
• Clonidine (Catapres, Arkapres, Arkamin, Clodict, Clonidine)
• Propranolol (Pronate F, Cardimol plus, Alp Plus, Alprop, Ambulax)
• Azithromycin (Azibest, Azibact, Atm, Azilide, Zithrox)
• Imipramine (Trikodep Forte, Sycodep, Trikodep, Tudep, Toframine)
• Warfarin (Uniwarfin, Mywarf, Warfarin, Warf, Sofarin)
• Cimetidine (Cimetidine, Acitak)
• Rifampicin (Rifacon, R Cinex, RF Kid B6, Rifact Kid, Risorine)
• Amoxapine (Demolox, Amolife, Amolox, Depilox, Amolox (Tripada))

Mild

• Sorbitol (Celemix, Normatone, Powerlactin, Yopon, Pantop MPS) 
• Simethicone (Metrogyl Compound Plus, Digene, Ulgel Tablet, Nausifar Mps, Litacid Oral)

 Substitutes of Cough Medicines 

• Honey: Honey is considered good medicine for sore throat. According to one study, it can relieve cough more effectively than over-the-counter medications. You can prepare your own remedy at home by mixing up to 2 teaspoons of honey with herbal tea or warm water and lemon.
• Bromelain: Bromelain – an enzyme found only in the pineapple stem and fruit – can help reduce cough and also remove mucus in your throat.
• Mint: Menthol present in mint helps in breaking down mucus. You can benefit by drinking mint tea or by consuming mint vapor.
• Marshmallow: Marshmallow leaves and roots have been used since ancient times to treat sore throat and reduce cough.
• Ginger: Ginger can reduce a dry or asthmatic cough.
• Drinking plenty of fluids: Staying hydrated is essential for people who have a cough or a cold.
• Steam: A wet cough that produces mucus or phlegm can be relieved by taking steam.
• Saltwater gargle: This simple remedy is highly effective for treating sore throat and wet cough. Saltwater reduces phlegm and mucus in the back of the throat, which can relieve cough.

Disclaimer: The information created here is the best of our knowledge and experience and we have done our best to make it as accurate and up-to-date as possible, but we would like to request that it should not be considered as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

Logintohealth is a means of providing general information about medicines to our audience and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustion. Even if the warning for a drug or combination is not mentioned, it does not mean that we are claiming that the drug or combination is safe for consumption without proper consultation with a specialist. 

Logintohealth does not take responsibility for any aspect of medicines or treatments. If you have any doubt about your medication, we recommend seeing a doctor immediately.