Medicine for a Dry Cough
A dry cough is a nonproductive cough that does not clear airways of sputum or aid the fight against viral infection. Dry cough medicines that treat the cough symptom can be used when the cause does not need treatment, such as an allergy. Deep congestion that is not affected by coughing requires treatment.
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Treating the Cough Symptom
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Treating the cough symptom stops the uncomfortable coughing to aid sleeping and increase daytime comfort. Medicines that address the symptom come in two types: suppressants that treat the cough only and expectorants that treat the cough by clearing the mucus that irritates air passages.
Suppressants
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A suppressant treats the cough by stopping the cough reflex. Dextromorphan and pholcodine stop the reflex in the brain and main nerve.
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Expectorants
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An expectorant clears mucus from the chest and throat to stop the irritation of lungs and the esophagus. Guaifenesin is the commonly used expectorant.
Local Suppressants
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Camphor and menthol treat the cough in irritated areas and the throat. Vapor rubs suppress the cough in the chest and esophagus, and lozenges suppress the reflex in the throat.
Serious Causes
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Asthma and bronchitis are serious causes of coughing that are not treated with a suppressant.
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