To learn more, please visit our. Some types of cough and cold medications, like decongestants, may raise blood pressure. There are several combination over-the-counter cough medicines available. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. A 2018 study found that marshmallow root extract had a positive effect on pharyngeal irritation. Many OTC cold medications contain acetaminophen. Doctors may recommend a combination of cough medicine with an expectorant and suppressant to manage different cough symptoms. Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox! The recommended dosage is 1 lozenge every 2 hours and a maximum of 12 lozenges in 24 hours. For most people, the effect of the short-acting formulation of the medication typically lasts 5 to 6 hours. Breaks up mucus. These side effects can include: Also known as antitussives, suppressants work by blocking your cough reflex in the brain to calm or quiet the cough. The danger is that some people may not realize that cold and cough concoctions contain acetaminophen. Dextromethorphan (Delsym) is available as a generic medication and may be significantly cheaper compared to the brand version. Back; Cough, Cold & Flu; Lip & Cold Sore Treatments; Adult Cold Remedies; Nasal Care; Children's Cough, Cold & Flu; Chest Rubs; Cough & Sore Throat Relief; If you are a consumer or patient please visit 2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK. Wet coughs are sometimes treated with expectorants to help thin the mucus and make your cough more productive. Pertussis is a bacterial disease, so it's treatable with antibiotics, but only during the first few weeks of an infection. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health, plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise, pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, andmore. This is especially true if you smoke or have asthma or emphysema. This might make it harder for you to fight off infections. Check Price. Sign up now and get a FREE copy of theBest Diets for Cognitive Fitness. The ACE inhibitor cough sometimes begins months after you start taking the drug. Clinical Trials, In the brain, histamine is a neurotransmitter, one of the many chemicals that enable cell-to-cell communication. You should discuss specific treatment options with your doctor. Choosing the Best OTC Cough Medicine for Adults - Verywell Health OTC Medicines for Cough - WebMD They're sold as "multi-symptom" formulas and may contain: These products are often not the right answer when you're treating a cough. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with Speak with your provider about the risks and benefits of taking dextromethorphan (Delsym) for your cough during pregnancy. Guaifenesin. This article goes over how OTC cough medicines for adults work, things to consider when choosing one, what side effects to watch for, and other ways to treat a cough. It's generally not recommended to drink alcohol while taking dextromethorphan (Delsym). This content does not have an English version. All unranked brands were given 0 points. Pseudoephedrine is a common decongestant. Are you looking for information on Mucinex DM (guaifenesin / dextromethorphan) instead? Doctors use this type of medication to treat: Sometimes, a doctor may use a neuromodulator off-label to treat a chronic cough, including chronic dry cough. Cough medications may help your cough. Learn more about treating and preventing coughs. Be careful when giving your child cough and cold medications because dextromethorphan is an active ingredient in many over-the-counter products. In this article, learn about the reasons, treatments, and when to see a doctor. Dextromethorphan relieves cough by acting directly on the cough center in the brain. Because a cough is your body's way of getting foreign substances out of your lungs, it is not always a good idea to stop a cough. National Capital Poison Center: Poison Control. Prices for dextromethorphan (Delsym) start at just $6.07 with a GoodRx coupon. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Last medically reviewed on August 16, 2022, A dry cough is a type of cough that does not produce phlegm. Phenylephrine HCl (Nasal Decongestant). Dextromethoraphan is a good cough suppressant and there are. If you're not sure whether you're taking a medication with dextromethorphan, talk to your provider or pharmacist before you start dextromethorphan (Delsym). Common brands of menthol lozenges include: Menthol lozenges come in different strengths. Learn which medications are safe here. Antitussives are cough suppressants. Expectorants thin mucus. ), More about getting RSS News & Updates from DailyMed, 118 mL in 1 BOTTLE; Type 1: Convenience Kit of Co-Package, 1 Apps to accelerometers: Can technology improve mental health in older adults? If you are having difficulty accessing this website, please call or email us at (855) 268-2822 or ada@goodrx.com so that we can provide you with the services you require through alternative means. Causes The best medicine for cough includes over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines containing guaifenesin and/or dextromethorphan (cough syrup or tablet form), cough suppressants (Delsym, Mucinex DM, Robitussin, NyQuil), antibiotics, decongestants (Sudafed/pseudoephedrine), antihistamines (Benadryl/diphenhydramine), home remedies, and others. At least 200 viruses are capable of causing a cold, which is one reason why it's so common. In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration restricted use of narcotic products to only those over age 18. Labels, All Index Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. Some examples are listed below. If you're concerned about your cough or your child's, contact your healthcare provider. Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. Healthcare providers don't recommend OTC cough medicines for children under 6 due to the risk of accidental poisoning. This medicine is available without a prescription. It may be a little easier to make a choice if you realize that most of these products contain the same few active ingredients, in a limited number of strengths and combinations. Children's. Cold & Cough. 2. One of the best ways to prevent a dry cough is to treat any underlying medical conditions. (2021). Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. Learn more about using honey for cough and cold symptoms. For people with chronic cough whose symptoms are not managed by over-the-counter cough medicines, your doctor may conduct further exams such as pulmonary function tests, bloodwork and X-rays to determine if there is an underlying health condition. How these work depends on the source of the problem. Coughing is desired and is needed when medicine as the label indicates. Mucinex Children's Multi-Symptom Cold Liquid - Very Berry - Shop Cough If we combine this information with your protected Off-label means that a doctor uses the medication for something other than its FDA-approved use. Suppressants help cut the number of times you cough. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 14 May 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 28 May 2023), ASHP (updated 10 Apr 2023 . This is especially true in children. It may also help kill bacteria in the throat that can lead to infection. For your everyday cough from a common cold, a good choice is cough medication that contains an older antihistamine and a decongestant. Robitussin DM: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings - Verywell Health How Long Can You Take Cold Medicine Like Robitussin, Delsym, and Sudafed? Because all medications come with risks and possible side effects, you shouldn't take the ones you don't need. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Also keep in mind that certain dextromethorphan products like the generic immediate-release suspension might have alcohol in them, and consuming alcohol while pregnant can be harmful. cough syrup without dextromethorphan | HealthTap Online Doctor Dextromethorphan (Delsym) is an over-the-counter, oral medication that's used to relieve "dry" cough (a cough that doesn't produce any mucus). A dry cough irritates the respiratory tract nerves without producing mucus. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. Fortunately, there are good alternatives for those who have this problem. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Robitussin Used for Cough info Prescription Status expand_more Customize your savings on this prescription Check your prescription Make sure the following details match. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:Less common or rareConfusionconstipationdizziness (mild)drowsiness (mild) headachenausea or vomiting stomach painOther side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. Don't forget to treat the cause of the cough, which is frequently post nasal drip. Found in many over-the-counter products, so you can accidentally take too much. Top answers from doctors based on your search: Cough medicine without dextromethorphan A 47-year-old male asked: Is there any cough medicines without dextromethorphan Dr. Nestor Del rosario answered Addiction Medicine 36 years experience Yes: There are many of them both otc and by prescription. Coughing is a natural reflex to clear the airways and protect the lungs from irritants. Before you shop the pharmacy aisle, make sure youre not falling for these eight common misconceptions about OTC medications. Health officials estimate that over half a million American adults get whooping cough every year far more than the reported number, which hovers around 10,000. Decongestants can be wonderfully effective in the short run, but they also present problems. Expectorant: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & Types - Cleveland Clinic Otherwise, if you take other OTC medications, you may unintentionally double-up on one and put yourself at risk for side effects or overdose. These medications also require boxed warnings discussing risk of abuse and slowed or difficulty breathing. These cough medicines act to loosen and thin the mucus flow in the lungs. The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness, is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School. Fact vs. Fiction: Debunking OTC Medication Myths, Pharmacists' Picks: Best OTC Medicines and Health Products for 2023-2024, What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag: A Checklist, Find Continuing Care Retirement Communites. Visit your doctor, who can decide if an antibiotic treatment might be needed. Cough medicines for adults include cough suppressants, expectorants, and combination products. Using more than one product containing the same ingredients can lead to an accidental overdose that can be dangerous. Dry coughs do not produce excessive mucus. Learn more about some of these causes and the treatment options here. Even if you have taken the cough medicine before, carefully read the label and dosing instructions because products may change and add new ingredients. An expectorant is a medication that helps you cough up mucus easier. How to Choose the Best Over-the-Counter Cough Medicine. Dextromethorphan - brand name list from Drugs.com What Cold Medications Can I Use During Pregnancy? Dextromethorphan is found in many over-the-counter medications, so make sure you read the labels carefully before using cough and cold products to avoid taking too much. Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a cough suppressant present in many cold and flu medicines. Harris Poll, our partner for this year's Best OTC Medicine & Health Products, randomly assigned 352 pharmacists to rank their top three picks in each of the 99 over-the-counter product groups. Cough Medicine: Pharmacists' Recommendations | U.S. News Best Cough Suppressants OTC Medicine & Health Products Home Best Cough Suppressants Struggling with a persistent cough?. Do not swallow the water. What is the best children's cough medicine? Don't miss your FREE gift. Each lozenge contains 5.4 mg of the active ingredient, menthol. The most common side effects of cough medicines include: If you experience any of these side effects, contact your doctor. 3 How to Choose the Best Over-the-Counter Cough Medicine Dosing The older antihistamines like brompheniramine and chlorpheniramine have another effect: They inhibit the activity of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, decreasing the secretion of mucus and widening airways. The drug guaifenesin is the only expectorant approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Stuffy nose. Cough Medicine: Suppressants, Expectorants, and More - WebMD Swelling of your face or throat. Can my child take dextromethorphan (Delsym) for cough? If you have a cough that lasts for a long time and is related to cigarette smoking or a breathing problem (e.g., asthma, emphysema) or a cough with a lot of mucus, let your provider know. Dextromethorphan (Oral Route) Description and Brand Names - Mayo Clinic Kid's Cold Relief Pellets - Boiron. You can become dependent on decongestant nose sprays if you use them for more than four consecutive days. These cough medications work by suppressing the cough reflex in the brain. No coughing matter - Harvard Health It should not be used for chronic cough that occurs with smoking, asthma, or emphysema or when there is an unusually large amount of mucus or phlegm (flem) with the cough. Menthol provides a cooling sensation and may have a temporary numbing effect that reduces a dry cough. Pseudoephedrine can potentially make you jittery, interfere with sleep and raise your blood pressure. Neuromodulators are one example. This is an effective treatment for coughs without the associated risks of narcotic medications.Talk to your primary health care provider about which option is best for you. Only take as much as the product label states for you or your child's age and weight. Coughing up mucus helps keep your lungs clear. This may help your cough clear the mucus from your airway. This article discusses the best types of dry cough medications, home remedies, and prevention tips. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking OTC cough medicines if you: Some OTC cough medicines are available as dissolving granules that you mix with water.