Cough medicines (dry, allergic, with phlegm)

Cough medicines aim to relieve coughing by increasing the elimination of phlegm in the case of a cough with phlegm, reducing the frequency and intensity of coughing in the case of a dry cough, or reducing allergy symptoms as in the case of an allergic cough.

In addition, these cough medicines help to improve discomfort, throat irritation, malaise or shortness of breath.

Cough treatment should always be indicated by a doctor who must carry out an assessment and recommend the best medicine according to the type of cough. In the case of children, the pediatrician must also assess the type of cough the child has and their general health status and prescribe cough medicine according to the child’s age and weight.

Dry cough remedies

Some remedies for dry cough are:

• Levodropropizine (Antux): an antitussive found in the form of a solution in drops of 30 mg/mL or syrup of 6 mg/mL, which helps combat dry coughs that cause irritation in the throat, and can be used by adults and children over 2 years old, and the dose varies according to age;
• Dropropizina (Vibral, Notus ou genérico): it can be found in the form of 3mg/mL syrup, 1.5mg/mL pediatric syrup or 30mg/mL drop solution, and can be recommended for adults and children over 2 years old;
• Dextromethorphan (Bisoltussin or generic): found in the form of a 2mg/mL syrup, suitable for adults or children over 12 years old.
• Clobutinol + Doxylamine (Hytós Plus or generic): It can be taken in the form of a syrup or oral solution in drops by adults and children over 2 years old, and the dose is indicated according to their age.

Another good medicine with antitussive action, which can be used when the throat is also inflamed, is Benalet in lozenges, as it helps to alleviate this symptom and treats throat irritation.

Medicines for dry coughs must be prescribed by a doctor, who must evaluate the cause of the cough, in order to prescribe the most appropriate medicine for each person. These remedies can be taken in the form of syrup, drops or tablets, and can act on the brain, in order to control the frequency and intensity of coughing, which also helps to alleviate other symptoms associated with coughing, such as throat irritation and discomfort. .

Allergic cough medicine

Some of the most recommended remedies for allergic coughs are:

• Loratadine (Claritin, Loratamed or NeoLoratadin): it can be taken in the form of a 1mg/mL syrup for children over 2 years of age and adults, or 10 mg tablets indicated only for adults and, generally, the dose is indicated according to age to be taken once a day;
• Dexchlorpheniramine (Polaramine, Polaryn, or generic): found in the form of a tablet, pill, drop solution or syrup, and can be used by adults or children according to medical advice, as doses vary with age and weight;
• Clobutinol (generic): it can be taken in the form of a syrup by adults and children over 2 years old, and doses vary according to age, with the doctor generally recommending use up to 3 times a day, using the measuring cup that comes in the package;
• Clobutinol + doxylamine (Hytós Plus or generic): it can be taken by adults and children over 2 years old in the form of syrup or oral solution in drops, and the dose is indicated according to age;
• Dextromethorphan (Bisoltussin or generic): found in the form of a 2mg/mL syrup, suitable for adults or children over 12 years old.

These allergic cough remedies can be found in the form of tablets, tablets, drops or syrups, and must be used under medical advice. See all allergy cough syrup options and how to take them.

The duration of treatment with allergic cough medicine and the recommended dose vary from person to person, and are generally used for a short period of time until the symptoms disappear.

Furthermore, to improve treatment and prevent new allergy attacks, it is important to avoid contact with the substance that caused the allergic cough.

The medicines for coughing with phlegm most recommended by your doctor are:

• Ambroxol (Mucosolvan or generic): has an expectorant effect and can be found in the form of a 30mg/5mL syrup for adult use or a 15mg/5mL pediatric syrup or a 7.5 mg/mL oral solution for children over 2 years old;
• Guaifenesin (Dimetapp, Transpulmin, or generic): has expectorant action and can be found in the form of 200mg/15mL adult syrup or 100mg/15mL children’s syrup for children over 2 years old;
• Acetylcysteine ​​(Fluimucil or generic): has mucolytic action and can be found in the form of a 200mg or 600mg effervescent tablet, 120mg/g or 20mg/g granules or 20mg/mL syrup, and may be indicated for adult or pediatric use for children over 2 years old;
• Bromhexine (Bisolvon or generic): It has mucolytic action and can be found in the form of 8mg/5mL adult syrup, 4mg/5mL pediatric syrup or 2mg/mL drop solution, and can be used by adults and children from 2 years of age.

Doses of medicine for coughing with phlegm vary according to age and weight and should always be prescribed by a doctor.

Medicines for coughing with phlegm aim to increase the elimination of phlegm like expectorants or make the phlegm more liquid to facilitate its elimination, like mucolytic medicines.

These remedies help reduce airway obstruction, coughing with phlegm and feelings of shortness of breath, which can be caused by respiratory illnesses such as flu, cold, asthma or bronchitis, for example.

Homeopathic cough remedies

Homeopathic remedies can be used to treat dry or productive coughs, providing relief from throat irritation, reducing the viscosity of secretions and facilitating expectoration. An example of a homeopathic cough remedy is Stodal​, in syrup.

Natural cough remedies

A good natural cough remedy is dates, as they help thin phlegm, soothe bronchial irritation and combat fatigue and malaise.

Other natural remedies that can help relieve a cough are increasing your fluid intake, inhaling water vapor, sucking mints or honey or using essential oils such as eucalyptus, rosemary and peppermint, for example. See how to use essential oils to combat coughs.