A lingering, tickly cough can be frustrating. While they often serve as the body’s natural reflex mechanism to clear irritants such as dust, smoke, and mucus from the airways, if not treated right, coughs can be persistent and disruptive.
Thankfully, cough medicines can provide relief and shorten the recovery period. But with so many brands available, from traditional to western options, choosing the right medication can be confusing. How do you know what’s best for you?
Firstly, it’s important to understand the nature of your cough. If it lasts around 2-3 weeks, it’s considered acute; any longer and it is likely chronic, possibly caused by conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or smoking.
Coughs can be broadly categorised into two types:
- Dry (unproductive) cough
This type of cough is often accompanied by a tickling or irritating sensation in the throat that doesn’t produce any mucus.
Dry coughs can be caused by inflamed or irritated airways, which are typically seen in those with allergies, sinusitis or postnasal-drip cough, asthma, GERD-induced cough, or ACEI-induced cough – the latter referring to a medication used to treat hypertension.
- Wet (productive) cough
This cough is characterised by the production of mucus or phlegm and may be accompanied by wheezing. A wet cough generally helps expel excess mucus from the airways and lungs, preventing buildup that can affect breathing.
This type of cough often occurs with respiratory infections such as the flu, bronchitis, or pneumonia.
Choosing the right medicine
Cough medicines usually contain one or more active ingredients to treat the type of cough you are experiencing. Options available over-the-counter or prescribed by your pharmacist include:
Antitussives: Also known as cough suppressants, antitussives such as dextromethorphan block the cough reflex by decreasing activity in the part of the brain that causes coughing. Brands that can be found in Malaysia include Cough-en Linctus and Pharmaniaga.
Expectorants: These work by thinning mucus, aiding congestive chesty coughs to expel phlegm and subsequently clear the airway. Brands include Breacol (guaiphenesin), Bena Expectorant, and Uphadyl Forte (ammonium chloride).
Mucolytic agents such as acetylcysteine, carbocisteine and bromhexine help by thinning and loosening mucus in the airway to aid expulsion. Fluimucil, Pabron, Bislan, and Mucosolvan are among brands available in the market.
Decongestants: These widen the airway and relieve coughs associated with a blocked nose by reducing mucus, thereby easing breathing. Pseudoephedrine is commonly prescribed, with brands including Mendicof, Cough-En Linctus, and Sedilix DM Linctus.
Antihistamines alleviate coughs associated with allergies or postnasal drip with symptoms such as runny nose or sneezing, by drying up the secretions from mucous membranes.
They are often combined with other active ingredients in cough syrups such as decongestants, expectorants, or other antihistamines, depending on the type of product. Brands include Pharmaniaga and Bena Expectorant.
Note, however, that antihistamine cough preparations may cause drowsiness and should only be taken as prescribed.
Are cough meds safe for everyone?
Cough medicines are typically safe for most adults, but the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency has not approved over-the-counter meds for those below age two as their side effects could be life-threatening to toddlers and babies.
Most pregnant women can safely use the cough medicines mentioned above except those with decongestant properties. Ultimately, it is best to consult your pharmacist or doctor.
Those seeking natural cough remedies can try the following:
- swallowing a teaspoon of honey, which serves as a demulcent that soothes the throat;
- drinking hot ginger, thyme, or peppermint tea;
- gargling with saltwater.
Avoid or minimise spicy or deep-fried foods, as well as cold beverages, when you have a cough. For those who experience postnasal drip that results in nighttime coughs, try inhaling steam or using extra pillows to elevate the head and upper body.
Finally, common lozenges such as Difflam or Strepsils can help reduce coughs and sore throat.
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This article was written by DOC2US, a mobile application that allows you to talk to a doctor or any healthcare professionals via text chat at any time and from anywhere.