Allergic cough syrups, such as loratadine, desloratadine or dexchlorpheniramine, act by blocking the action of histamine in the body, which leads to allergy symptoms, and are therefore indicated to relieve the irritating and dry cough caused by allergic rhinitis.
In addition, other allergic cough syrups, such as dropropizine, clobutinol or levodropropizine, act by inhibiting the cough reflex in the brain, also helping to relieve allergic cough, caused by allergies of the upper respiratory tract and bronchi. Check out the main causes of allergic cough.
Allergic cough syrups should be used under medical supervision, and therefore, you should consult an otorhinolaryngologist who can recommend the best syrup on an individual basis.
Main syrups
The main allergic cough syrups are:
1. Loratadine
Loratadine syrup is indicated to relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, such as coughing, runny or blocked nose, constant sneezing or itchy nose or eyes.
This allergic cough syrup can be found in pharmacies in its generic form, as “loratadine” or under the trade names Loratamed, Histadin or Alergaliv, for example.
How to drink: The doses of loratadine syrup 1 mg/mL for adults or children over 12 years of age are 10 mL of syrup once a day. For children aged 2 to 12 years, doses vary according to body weight. Find out how to take loratadine.
2. Desloratadina
Desloratadine is another syrup indicated to relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, which includes allergic cough, runny or stuffy nose, and itchy nose.
This syrup can be found under the names Esalerg, Desalex Aloff or Leg, for example, containing 0.5 mg/mL of desloratadine.
How to drink: The recommended doses for adults are 10 mL of desloratadine syrup, once a day, or as directed by the doctor.
3. Dropropizin
Dropropizine is an antitussive indicated for allergic, irritating and dry coughs, caused by allergies of the upper respiratory tract and bronchi.
Dropropizine syrup can be found in its generic form or under the trade names Notuss, Vibral, Ecos or Neotoss.
How to drink: the dose of dropropizine syrup 3 mg/mL for adults is 10 mL of syrup up to 4 times a day, as per medical advice. For children over 2 years old, 1.5 mg/mL children’s syrup should be used. Find out how to give dropropizine syrup to children.
4. Levodropropizina
Levodropropizine is an antitussive that inhibits the cough reflex, relaxes bronchial muscles and improves pulmonary ventilation.
This syrup is indicated for dry and irritating coughs due to bronchitis or laryngitis, also helping to relieve allergic coughs.
Levodropropizine syrup can be found under the names Antuss or Percof, containing 30 mg/5mL of levodropropizine.
How to drink: the dose for adults or children over 12 years of age is 10 mL of syrup, up to 3 times a day, as per medical advice. Find out how to take levodropropizine correctly.
5. Dexchlorpheniramine
Dexchlorpheniramine is a syrup in the form of an oral solution that helps relieve allergic coughs caused by allergic rhinitis.
This syrup can be used by adults or children over 2 years old, and is found in its generic form or under the names Polaramine, Celerg or histamin, for example.
How to drink: The recommended doses for adults are 5 mL of dexchlorpheniramine syrup 0.4 mg/mL, 3 to 4 times a day, according to medical advice. For children aged 2 to 12 years, doses must be advised by the pediatrician. See how to take dexchlorpheniramine.
6. Cetirizine
Cetirizine is another syrup for allergic coughs caused by allergic rhinitis, also helping to relieve other symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose, watery eyes, or itchy nose.
This syrup can be used by adults or children over 2 years old, found under the name Zyrtec.
How to drink: the dose of cetirizine syrup 1 mg/mL for the initial treatment of adults is 5 mL or 10 mL of syrup, once a day, as indicated by the doctor. Check the doses of cetirizine for children.
7. Bilastina
Bilastine is indicated to relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, such as excess phlegm in the airways that can run down the throat and cause an allergic, dry and irritating cough.
Bilastine syrup 2.5mg/mL can be used by children aged 6 to 11 years, who weigh at least 20 kg, and is found under the name Alektos Ped.
How to drink: The normally recommended doses of this syrup for children aged 6 to 11 years old weighing at least 20 kg are 4 mL of syrup, once a day, or as directed by the pediatrician.
8. Ebastina
Ebastine is another remedy for allergic cough caused by allergic rhinitis, which due to nasal secretions can lead to coughing.
This syrup is called Ebastel 1 mg/mL and can be used by adults or children over 2 years old.
How to drink: for adults or children over 12 years of age, the dose of ebastine syrup is 10 mL, once a day. For children aged 6 to 11 years, the recommended dose is 5 mL of syrup, once a day. For children aged 2 to 5 years, 2.5 mL of syrup is recommended, once a day.
9. Clobutinol + doxilamina
Clobutinol + doxylamine syrup is indicated for any type of allergic cough without phlegm, caused by allergic rhinopharyngitis or respiratory tract irritation due to pollution or smoking, for example.
This syrup contains 4 mg/mL of clobutinol and 0.75 mg/mL of doxylamine, and can be used by adults or children over 2 years old, and is called Hytoss Plus.
How to drink: the dose for adults and children over 12 years of age is 10 mL of syrup, up to 3 times a day. For children aged 3 to 12 years, doses of 5 mL to 10 mL are recommended, up to 3 times a day.
When to go to the doctor
It is important to consult an otolaryngologist or allergist in the following situations:
- Intense cough that can cause vomiting;
- Dry and persistent cough;
- Throat irritation;
- Constant sneezing;
- Stuffy or runny nose;
- Pain in the nasal sinuses;
- Shortness of breathe.
Therefore, the cause of the allergic cough must be evaluated by the doctor and recommended the best syrup or other remedies to alleviate the symptoms.
