What is the best cough suppressant and expectorant?

What are the best over-the-counter cough medicines?
  • Pseudoephedrine: An OTC medicine that relieves nasal congestion. ...
  • Guaifenesin: Often known by its brand name Mucinex (Mucinex coupons | What is Mucinex?), guaifenesin is the only OTC expectorant available to help relieve symptoms from colds.


Which is better for cough expectorant or suppressant?

Cough suppressants won't be helpful, but expectorants can be beneficial. Expectorants will increase the production of mucus and make it more effective. The extra mucus may help clear the infection quicker.

Can you take expectorant and cough suppressant at the same time?

These medicines may interact and cause very harmful effects and are usually not taken together.


Is Mucinex or Robitussin better for cough?

If you're only looking to treat a cough, you may prefer Robitussin 12 Hour Cough Relief, which just contains dextromethorphan. On the other hand, you can use Mucinex or Maximum Strength Mucinex, which only contain guaifenesin, to reduce congestion.

What do doctors prescribe for severe cough?

Medications used to treat chronic cough may include:
  • Antihistamines, corticosteroids and decongestants. These drugs are standard treatment for allergies and postnasal drip.
  • Inhaled asthma drugs. ...
  • Antibiotics. ...
  • Acid blockers.


Cough Suppressants – Pharmacology | Lecturio



What to do when you can t stop coughing?

Home remedies
  1. drinking extra fluids.
  2. resting.
  3. avoiding exercise temporarily.
  4. using over-the-counter cough suppressants.
  5. trying a chest rub such as VICKS.
  6. taking honey or sipping warm fluids.


What is the most effective expectorant?

Guaifenesin: Guaifenesin is the most commonly used expectorant. It is the active ingredient in medicines including Mucinex® and Robitussin®. You can find guaifenesin in many common cough, cold and flu medications.

Which is better for cough delsym or Mucinex?

Mucinex D (Guaifenesin / Pseudoephedrine) is good if you have a stuffy nose and a cough with mucus, but it could keep you up at night. Relieves coughing. Delsym (Dextromethorphan) is a good option for treating dry cough. It's not safe to take with MAO inhibitors though.


Is Mucinex good to stop coughing?

Mucinex will not stop you from coughing but should allow you to more easily clear any sticky secretions in your airways. Do not take with a cough suppressant because the cough reflex is needed to allow you to cough up loosened phlegm or mucus.

Is Mucinex DM best for cough?

Mucinex Dm (Dextromethorphan / Guaifenesin) is a combination medicine that relieves multiple cold symptoms. It's good to use if you have chest congestion and a cough. Helps loosen the mucus and phlegm that builds up in productive and wet coughs. The extended release version of Mucinex DM lasts up to 12 hours.

Do expectorants make you cough more?

An expectorant will cause you to cough more to clear congestion from the respiratory tract. While you can take it at night, it will not help you sleep and may keep you awake.


When should you not take an expectorant?

One of the risks of taking an expectorant is that people sometimes use them for persistent or chronic coughs. People should not use expectorants to mask the symptoms of a chronic cough that is due to smoking, asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema.

Is Mucinex an expectorant or suppressant?

Mucinex and Mucinex DM both contain the drug guaifenesin. This is an expectorant. It helps loosen mucus from your lungs so that your coughs are more productive. A productive cough brings up the mucus that causes chest congestion.

Which Mucinex is best for severe cough?

Regular Mucinex only contains guaifenesin. Mucinex DM contains guaifenesin and the cough suppressant, dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan works by blocking your cough reflex. The combination is thought to relieve chest congestion and lessen coughing.


What is the best thing to take to stop a cough?

Natural Cough Remedies
  • Honey. 1/12. A teaspoon or two of honey may cut mucus production. ...
  • Hot Drinks. 2/12. Hot drinks won't ease a stuffy head, but they can soothe a cough much better than room temperature drinks. ...
  • Ginger. 3/12. ...
  • Water. 4/12. ...
  • Steam. 5/12. ...
  • Neti Pot. 6/12. ...
  • Elderberry. 7/12. ...
  • Menthol. 8/12.


What medicine stops you coughing?

There are 2 types of OTC cough medicines: antitussives and expectorants. A common antitussive is dextromethorphan (some brand names: Triaminic Cold and Cough, Robitussin Cough, Vicks 44 Cough and Cold). The only expectorant available in OTC products is guaifenesin (2 brand names: Mucinex, Robitussin Chest Congestion).

Why does Delsym work so well?

It works by thinning and loosening mucus in the airways, clearing congestion, and making breathing easier. Dextromethorphan belongs to a class of drugs known as cough suppressants. It acts on a part of the brain (cough center) to reduce the urge to cough.


What works better than Delsym?

Robitussin 12-Hour is the best choice for a dry, non-productive cough as it provides a longer window of relief as compared to other formulations of dextromethorphan.

Who should not take Delsym?

You should not use dextromethorphan if you are allergic to it. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have any medical conditions. Dextromethorphan should not be given to a child younger than 12 years old. Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Is Robitussin or delsym better?

Delsym (Dextromethorphan) is a good option for treating dry cough. It's not safe to take with MAO inhibitors though. Breaks up mucus that causes cough. Robitussin (Guaifenesin) is a useful medicine for loosening congestion in your chest and throat, but it doesn't last as long as other guaifenesin products.


What medicine clears mucus from the lungs?

Mucus thinners, such as mucolytics, are inhaled medications that help thin the mucus in the airways so you can cough it out of your lungs more easily. The three main types of mucus thinners are hypertonic saline, mannitol (Bronchitol®), and dornase alfa (Pulmozyme®).

Why can't I get rid of my cough and phlegm?

A persistent cough may be caused by: a long-term respiratory tract infection, such as chronic bronchitis. asthma – this also usually causes other symptoms, such as wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. an allergy.

Why do I keep coughing and it won't go away?

Dozens of conditions can cause a recurrent, lingering cough, but the lion's share are caused by just five: postnasal drip, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic bronchitis, and treatment with ACE inhibitors, used for high blood pressure and heart failure.


Why does coughing get worse at night?

Coughing often worsens at night because a person is lying flat in bed. Mucus can pool in the back of the throat and cause coughing. Sleeping with the head elevated can reduce the symptoms of postnasal drip and GERD. Both can cause coughing at night.