- Cough syrup, an over-the-counter or prescribed medication that is usually in the form of a thick liquid, is aimed to suppress or expectorate coughs. Cough suppressants prevent coughs by temporarily drying out the mucous membranes. Cough suppressants include Codeine, Hydrocodone, Noscapine, Acetylmorphone and Pholcodine. Expectorants do just the opposite of suppressants. If a patient is complaining of congestion, he or she may be given an expectorant to loosen the phlegm in order to expel it from the body.
- Codeine is the most common cough suppressant, and arguably the most effective. All other cough suppressants are measured on a scale according to Codeine's effectiveness. Codeine reduces the respiration rate and targets urges to cough directly at the brain. Over-the-counter cough syrup forms a thick coating on the throat to soothe the urge to cough. Most over-the-counter cough medicines contain Dextromethorphan, which works similarly to codeine by limiting the cough reflex in the brain, but with shorter-lasting results.
- Cough suppressants, whether prescribed or over-the-counter, are usually habit-forming. Cough syrup overdose can cause auditory and visual hallucinations, body dissociation, dilated pupils, impaired motor skills, a slow pulse and death. Do not attempt to use cough suppressants for longer than they are prescribed, and always use as directed.
