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Like pseudoephedrine, it can also be habit-forming if used for more than four consecutive days.

Phenylephrine: Another common decongestant ingredient used in the OTC product Cough Control CF.

Though effective in short-term use, this ingredient can be habit-forming if used for more than four consecutive days.

Pseudoephedrine: The primary active decongestant ingredient in Sudafed.

In addition, dextromethorphan is a derivative of narcotics so it can be habit forming if taken in larger than recommended doses. Evidence on whether or not dextromethorphan actually works to suppress cough is mixed, with one study showing that it is as effective as honey in reducing cough frequency.

Dextromethorphan: A common suppressant, dextromethorphan is available in brand names including Triaminic Cold and Cough, Robitussin Cough, and Vicks 44 Cough and Cold.

It’s often combined with another ingredient and is available in several brand name medicines including Robitussin DM and Mucinex.

Guaifenesin: The only expectorant approved by the U.S.

Here are some of the common OTC cough medicine ingredients available: Over-the-counter cough (OTC) medicine typically falls into either the expectorant or suppressant categories.

Pain relievers: Pain relievers like ibuprofen, aspirin, Tylenol, and Panadol aren’t used directly for a cough but can be used to treat other symptoms of a cold or flu, like fever or headache.

Antihistamines: If your cough is in response to allergies, antihistamines can help to block histamine, the natural chemical that can cause a runny nose and postnasal drip.

Decongestants: When postnasal drip is causing your cough, decongestants can work to constrict blood vessels which allows more air to pass through your nasal passages, drying out nasal tissues and reducing the amount of postnasal drip.

Suppressants or antitussives: As the name suggests, suppressants work to suppress a cough from forming by halting the cough reflex in the brain.Expectorants: If you’re feeling congested in your chest and want to make your coughs more productive, expectorants can work to help thin out the mucus in your lungs to make it easier to clear your congestion.Get started Different Types of Cough Medicineīroadly, there are five types of medicines that can be used when you have a cough: Have a cough? Chat with a medical provider using K Health. Read the active drug list on the label of your medications to be sure you don’t double up. Too much acetaminophen causes liver damage. Use caution when using these medications so that you don’t get too much of one ingredient.įor example, acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, is also a common ingredient in some OTC cough and cold medications. Some medications have a combination of active ingredients to tackle several symptoms at once. Use a decongestant with the active ingredient pseudoephedrine is your best option.

Use a cough medicine that is an antihistamine as that can help dry up your congestions. Use medicine with an antitussive with the active ingredient dextromethorphan will help suppress your need to cough so you can get some rest. Use medicine with an expectorant that contains the active ingredient guaifenesin will help you get rid of the mucus.

However, it’s important to select the right type of medicine and that depends on what is causing your cough. OTC medications may be the best and quickest way to get your cough under control. Knowing the cause of your cough and which medicines are available can help determine which cough medicine is right for you. The best cough medicine depends on what type of cough you have. In many cases, a cough also resolves on its own within three weeks. As uncomfortable as having a cough may be, it remains one of the body’s best defense systems.īy coughing, your body does its part to force out irritants and prevent infections of the respiratory tract.